Ipamorelin
Also known as: NNC 26-0161, Ipamorelin acetate
Ipamorelin is a research compound not approved for human use. For informational purposes only.
Overview
Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) and ghrelin receptor agonist. It stimulates GH release with high selectivity — minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation compared to older GHRPs. Widely used in research protocols for body composition, sleep quality, and recovery.
Research Summary
Ipamorelin selectively stimulates GH release via the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) without meaningfully elevating cortisol, aldosterone, or prolactin. Animal studies show dose-dependent GH pulses with rapid clearance. Commonly combined with CJC-1295 to create synergistic GH release — the GHRH+GHRP combination amplifies pulse amplitude significantly over either compound alone.
Dosing Range
low
100mcg
moderate
200mcg
high
300mcg
Units: mcg · Frequency: 1–3x daily (typically pre-sleep and/or pre-workout)
Dosing ranges are aggregated from preclinical research and community protocols. Not medical dosing guidance.
Administration Routes
Reconstitution Notes
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. Common concentration: 2mg per 2mL BAC water (1mcg/µL). Stable 28 days refrigerated.Step-by-step reconstitution guide →
Supplies you'll need
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Reported Side Effects
- Water retention (mild)
- Tingling / numbness in extremities
- Increased appetite
- Headache (transient)
- Flushing
Research Papers
1 peer-reviewed sourceCommunity Experiences
Aggregated from public forums. Anecdotal — not clinical evidence.
Community protocols using ipamorelin with CJC-1295 for GH optimization.
View original threadOverview
Ipamorelin was developed in the late 1990s by Novo Nordisk as one of the cleanest GHRP compounds. Its primary advantage over older GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6) is high selectivity — it does not significantly raise cortisol or prolactin at research doses.
The CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Stack
This is one of the most commonly studied peptide combinations. The mechanism is synergistic:
- CJC-1295 (GHRH analog): Elevates the baseline GH pulse amplitude
- Ipamorelin (GHRP): Triggers the GH pulse timing
Together they produce GH pulses significantly larger than either alone. Typical combined dosing: 100mcg CJC-1295 + 100–200mcg Ipamorelin administered 30 minutes before sleep.
Selectivity Profile
| Hormone | GHRP-6 | GHRP-2 | Ipamorelin | |---------|--------|--------|------------| | GH | ↑↑↑ | ↑↑↑ | ↑↑↑ | | Cortisol | ↑↑ | ↑↑ | ↔ | | Prolactin | ↑ | ↑↑ | ↔ | | Appetite | ↑↑↑ | ↑↑ | ↑ |
Ipamorelin's selectivity makes it the preferred GHRP in most current research protocols.
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