Home›Research›Compare›Ghrelin vs IGF-1
Peptide ComparisonGhrelin vs IGF-1
Both are GH / IGF Axis peptides.
Ghrelin
acyl ghrelin
Half-life: ~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)
3 providers listed
IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1
21 providers listed
IGF-1 is FDA-approved, while Ghrelin is not evaluated — the clearest structural difference between them.
Ghrelin
Half-life
~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)
IGF-1
Half-life
—
| Your goal | Better option |
|---|---|
| Stronger clinical evidence | Ghrelin |
| Further along in FDA review | IGF-1 |
| More provider options (3 vs 21) | IGF-1 |
Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.
Ghrelin
IGF-1
Ghrelin
A Secondary, Subgroup Analysis of Alcohol Cue-Exposure Craving in Response to Pharmacological Inhibition of t…
Pilot clinical trial of macimorelin to assess safety and efficacy in patients with cancer cachexia
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of macimorelin in healthy adults: Results of a s…
Constant intravenous ghrelin infusion in healthy young men: clinical pharmacokinetics and metabolic effects
+1 more
About Ghrelin
Must be acylated at Ser3 (by GOAT enzyme) for GHSR-1a binding. Receptor activation in the pituitary stimulates GH release; hypothalamic action via NPY/AgRP neurons increases appetite and reduces energy expenditure.
About IGF-1
Binds IGF-1R with high affinity, activating PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways promoting protein synthesis, satellite cell activation, and glucose uptake. Much shorter half-life (~15 min) than the LR3 analog (~20-30 hr) due to binding protein interactions.
Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.
Ghrelin
Under clinical review
Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.
IGF-1
Under clinical review
Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.
Under clinical review
Being verified by our medical team before we display monitoring guidance for this peptide.
Ghrelin
Not enough vendor pricing yet.
IGF-1
Where to source these peptides
Ghrelin
3 listed
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Providers offeringIGF-1
21 listed
Browse directory →
PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.
More GH / IGF Axis Comparisons
Browse all peptides →Educational research tools — not medical advice.
Cite this page
Data last updated August 26, 2026
Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:
PeptideBase. (2026). Ghrelin vs IGF-1 — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved September 12, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/ghrelin/igf-1