Is Ghrelin FDA approved?

Ghrelin is not evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

MGF is not evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

How is Ghrelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Ghrelin is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is MGF administered in research settings?

In research settings, MGF is typically administered via the intramuscular route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›Ghrelin vs MGF

Peptide Comparison

Ghrelin vs MGF

Q: What is the difference between Ghrelin and MGF?

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. MGF: Splice variant of IGF-1; acts locally at site of muscle damage to activate satellite cells (muscle stem cells) for repair and hypertrophy

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 →

MGF

Mechano Growth Factor

PerformanceNot EvaluatedResearch Only

Half-life: Minutes (rapidly degraded; PEG-MGF for extended action)

16 providers listed

Full MGF profile →

Bottom line

Ghrelin carries stronger published evidence (RCT, 5 key studies) than MGF (Review, 6); both are research compounds.

Quick Verdict

Ghrelin

Half-life

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

MGF

Half-life

Minutes (rapidly degraded; PEG-MGF for extended action)

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Stronger clinical evidence	Ghrelin
More provider options (3 vs 16)	MGF

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

Side-by-Side Comparison

Ghrelin

MGF

Mechanism Family

GH / IGF Axis

Half-life

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

Minutes (rapidly degraded; PEG-MGF for extended action)

FDA Status

not evaluated

Admin Routes

subcutaneous, intravenous

intramuscular

Availability

Research Only

Providers

3 listed

16 listed

Avail. Notes

—

Non-PEGylated IGF-1 splice variant (Mechano Growth Factor). No FDA approval. WADA prohibited. Not on any FDA list. Research chemical only.

Research Evidence

Ghrelin

RCT · 5 key studies · most recent 2026

MGF

Review · 6 key studies · most recent 2020

Research Citations

Ghrelin

RCT2026 · Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken)

A Secondary, Subgroup Analysis of Alcohol Cue-Exposure Craving in Response to Pharmacological Inhibition of t…

RCT2023 · Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Pilot clinical trial of macimorelin to assess safety and efficacy in patients with cancer cachexia

RCT2020 · Growth Hormone & IGF Research

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of macimorelin in healthy adults: Results of a s…

RCT2007 · Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab

Constant intravenous ghrelin infusion in healthy young men: clinical pharmacokinetics and metabolic effects

+1 more

MGF

Animal2020 · Exp Neurol

Mechano growth factor interacts with nucleolin to protect against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

Animal2017 · Mol Brain

Mechano growth factor, a splice variant of IGF-1, promotes neurogenesis in the aging mouse brain.

Animal2014 · Int J Pharm

Microencapsulation of mechano growth factor E peptide for sustained delivery and bioactivity maintenance.

In vitro2011 · Mechanisms of Ageing and Development

Mechano Growth Factor E peptide (MGF-E), derived from an isoform of IGF-1, activates human muscle progenitor…

+2 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.

Research Areas

GH stimulationappetite stimulationmetabolic regulationmuscle preservation

About MGF

Splice variant of IGF-1; acts locally at site of muscle damage to activate satellite cells (muscle stem cells) for repair and hypertrophy

Research Areas

muscle satellite cell activation following mechanical loadingautocrine/paracrine local muscle repair signal (distinct from systemic IGF-1)progenitor cell proliferation and fusion enhancement in vitroPEG-MGF variant extends half-life for research applications — no human clinical data for either form

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.

MGF

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

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

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Ghrelin

3 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

MGF

16 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

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Educational research tools — not medical advice.