GHRP-6
growth hormone-releasing peptide-6, SKF-110771
REC PPT-GHRP-6 // REV 2026-10-04 // assessment changes are logged, never silent
That it releases growth hormone in humans is established. Everything downstream of that is where the evidence stops.
What it is
A synthetic hexapeptide agonist at the ghrelin receptor, and one of the first growth-hormone-releasing peptides described. Unlike the more selective ipamorelin, it also raises ACTH, cortisol and prolactin.
What it does
Studied mainly as a pharmacological probe of pituitary reserve, including in Cushing's disease, thyrotoxicosis and glucocorticoid excess, where its hormone response pattern differs from that of GHRH.
Does it work?
Europe PMC returns 1,096 records for the term, but the great majority are receptor and animal pharmacology, and several of the records tagged as randomised trials are veterinary. The genuine human component is a set of small endocrine studies from the 1990s and 2000s establishing that GHRP-6 releases growth hormone, and also ACTH, cortisol and prolactin, in people. No interventional study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and no trial has taken body composition, strength or recovery as an endpoint.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Releases growth hormone in humans | supported |
| Also raises ACTH, cortisol and prolactin | supported |
| Stimulates appetite | partially true |
| Accelerates injury healing and joint repair | overreach |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
molecular data — PubChem CID 4345065
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
1,104 publications indexed, including 23 randomised controlled trials. 0 interventional studies registered. This is a well-tested compound.
SRC // EUROPE PMC + CTGOV // "GHRP-6" // FETCHED 2026-10-04 // 1,104 RECORDS
Most-cited literature
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[01]
Ghrelin
Müller TD, Nogueiras R, Andermann ML, Andrews ZB, Anker SD, Argente J, · Mol Metab 2015 · 806 citations · DOI 10.1016/j.molmet.2015.03.005
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[02]
Ghrelin inhibits leptin- and activation-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression by human monocytes and T cells
Dixit VD, Schaffer EM, Pyle RS, Collins GD, Sakthivel SK, Palaniappan · J Clin Invest 2004 · 636 citations · DOI 10.1172/jci21134
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[03]
Sex differences in the physiology of eating
Asarian L, Geary N. · Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2013 · 406 citations · DOI 10.1152/ajpregu.00446.2012
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[04]
Antagonism of ghrelin receptor reduces food intake and body weight gain in mice
Asakawa A, Inui A, Kaga T, Katsuura G, Fujimiya M, Fujino MA, Kasuga M · Gut 2003 · 341 citations · DOI 10.1136/gut.52.7.947
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
WADA — Prohibited List 2026
Prohibited in sport — WADA S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances)
Common questions
Is GHRP-6 approved for human use anywhere?
No approval by a major medicines regulator has been identified. It is not approved by the US FDA, the EMA or the Saudi FDA, and it appears in the literature as a research and diagnostic probe rather than as a registered medicine.
Does a publication count above one thousand mean the evidence is strong?
No, and this compound is a clear example. Of roughly 1,096 records, most are cell, receptor and animal work; the human studies are few, small and endocrine in design. Volume of literature and strength of human evidence are separate measurements.
How does it differ from ipamorelin?
Both act at the ghrelin receptor, but GHRP-6 is the less selective of the two: alongside growth hormone it is reported to raise ACTH, cortisol and prolactin, whereas ipamorelin is described as having comparatively little effect on those.
Is GHRP-6 prohibited in sport?
Yes. The WADA 2026 Prohibited List names GHRP-6 explicitly under section S2.2.4, among the GH-releasing peptides, prohibited at all times both in and out of competition.
Related compounds
GHRP-2
The only GH-releasing peptide holding a real regulatory approval — a single-injection diagnostic test in Japan, not a therapy, and not an FDA approval.
Hexarelin
The GH-releasing peptide whose most distinctive human finding is cardiac rather than muscular — and it is an acute, small-n pharmacology finding.
Ipamorelin
Selective growth-hormone secretagogue. Raises GH; downstream benefits less proven.
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
GHRH analogue, usually stacked with a secretagogue.