Skip to main content

Home›Research›Compare›Ghrelin vs Ipamorelin

Peptide Comparison

Ghrelin vs Ipamorelin

Both are GH / IGF Axis peptides.

Ghrelin

acyl ghrelin

PerformanceNot EvaluatedResearch Only

Half-life: ~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)

3 providers listed

Full Ghrelin profile →
vs

Ipamorelin

NNC 26-0161

PerformanceUnder clinical reviewResearch Only

Half-life: 2 hours

517 providers listed

Full Ipamorelin profile →
Bottom line

Ghrelin carries stronger published evidence (RCT, 5 key studies) than Ipamorelin (RCT, 5); both are research compounds.

Quick Verdict

Ghrelin

Half-life

~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)

Ipamorelin

Half-life

2 hours

Which One Should You Choose?
Your goalBetter option
Stronger clinical evidenceGhrelin
More provider options (3 vs 517)Ipamorelin

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison
Ghrelin
Ipamorelin
Mechanism Family
GH / IGF Axis
GH / IGF Axis
Half-life
~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)
2 hours
FDA Status
not evaluated
Under clinical review
Admin Routes
subcutaneous, intravenous
subcutaneous
Availability
Research Only
Research Only
Providers
3 listed
517 listed
FDA Update
—
Under clinical review
Avail. Notes
—
Selective GH secretagogue pentapeptide. Phase 2 by Helsinn (postoperative ileus) discontinued for lack of efficacy. No FDA approval. Not on FDA 503A bulks list. Research chemical.
Research Evidence

Ghrelin

RCT · 5 key studies · most recent 2026

Ipamorelin

RCT · 5 key studies · most recent 2026
Research Citations

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.

Research Areas
GH stimulationappetite stimulationmetabolic regulationmuscle preservation

About Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) and stimulates dose-dependent GH release with a clean hormonal profile. Unlike GHRP-6 or hexarelin, it does not significantly stimulate appetite-related pathways or cortisol secretion at standard research doses. This selectivity makes it a frequently studied peptide for protocols where hormonal side-effect profiles are a consideration.

Research Areas
selective GH release without cortisol or prolactin co-stimulationpulsatile GH secretion — synergistic with CJC-1295 in combination protocolslean mass support and fat metabolism via GH/IGF-1 axis modulationsubcutaneous injection 100–300 mcg; minimal receptor desensitization vs other GHRPs
Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

Ghrelin

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.

Ipamorelin

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.

Suggested Monitoring
IGF-1Fasting glucoseHbA1cInsulin

Research protocols routinely measure IGF-1 to track GH axis activity before and during use. Fasting glucose and insulin are monitored because GH elevation can reduce insulin sensitivity over time.

Regulatory Notes

global — WADA

This compound falls under WADA Prohibited List category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), prohibited at all times for competing athletes.

source
Used Together?

Ipamorelin

  • CJC-1295

    Research suggests Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 may produce enhanced growth hormone release effects when combined. CJC-1295 provides sustained GHRH receptor stimulation while Ipamorelin provides pulsatile ghrelin receptor stimulation — complementary pathways studied in GH secretion research.

  • Sermorelin

    Research suggests Sermorelin and Ipamorelin may produce complementary growth hormone release effects when combined. Sermorelin acts as a GHRH analogue via pituitary receptors, while Ipamorelin acts via ghrelin receptors — dual-pathway stimulation studied in GH optimization research.

  • GLP-1 agonists

    Research notes metabolic pathway overlap between growth hormone-releasing peptides and GLP-1 agonists. Both compound classes influence metabolic signaling; limited research has studied their combined effects. Consult your prescriber before combining.

Price (per mg)

Ghrelin

Not enough vendor pricing yet.

Ipamorelin

$6.00/mg

$5.00 – $8.59 range

72 vendors

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

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 October 26, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). Ghrelin vs Ipamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved October 27, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/ghrelin/ipamorelin

Free newsletter

The Peptide Research Digest

Weekly analysis on providers, sourcing and compounds — from the team behind PeptideBase.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy.