Peptide Profile
Ghrelin
acyl ghrelin · growth hormone secretagogue · hunger hormone · motilin-related peptide
Ghrelin is an endogenous 28-amino-acid peptide hormone produced primarily by X/A-like cells of the gastric fundus, characterized by a unique octanoyl modification at Ser3 required for GHS-R1a receptor binding; it is the…
- Half-life
- ~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)
- Routes
- subcutaneous, intravenous
Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.
Educational research tools — not medical advice.
What Ghrelin is
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.
Ghrelin is an endogenous 28-amino-acid peptide hormone produced primarily by X/A-like cells of the gastric fundus, characterized by a unique octanoyl modification at Ser3 required for GHS-R1a receptor binding; it is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and functions as a dual regulator of GH secretion and energy homeostasis. Ghrelin acts centrally via hypothalamic GHS-R1a receptors to potently stimulate GH release from the pituitary and to promote appetite through NPY/AgRP pathway activation, and has peripheral effects on gastric motility and insulin secretion, establishing it as a key integrator of nutritional status, GH axis activity, and energy balance. The pharmacology of GHS-R1a activation in humans is validated through macimorelin (Macrilen), an FDA-approved oral ghrelin receptor agonist; Phase 1 and Phase 2 randomized controlled trials of macimorelin demonstrated robust and reliable GH stimulation in adults, supporting FDA approval in 2017 for the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency and confirming the human physiological relevance of ghrelin receptor activation. Ghrelin itself is not therapeutically administered; it has a very short plasma half-life and the active acylated form is rapidly degraded in circulation; FDA-approved ghrelin receptor agonists require prescription and are indicated for diagnostic rather than therapeutic use, while ghrelin peptide is used exclusively as a research tool compound in neuroendocrine pharmacology studies.
Ghrelin Benefits & Research Areas
What the evidence says about Ghrelin
Research Evidence
based on 9 studies · 4 RCTs · most recent 2026
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
- FDA Status
- Not Evaluated
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
9 sources cited · 3 strong · 6 moderate
4 RCTs · 4 Cohorts · 1 Review
Associations of PYY, GLP-1 and LEAP2 with changes in feeding-related cognition, body weight and glucose homeostasis after bariatric surgery in non-diabetic women.
J Neuroendocrinol · 2026
# Summary This study demonstrated that research found ghrelin levels increased following bariatric surgery in non-diabetic women, though notably without showing the typical post-meal variation pattern observed in other gastrointestinal hormones. The research observed that while ghrelin elevation occurred post-surgery, the primary metabolic and cognitive improvements associated with the procedure were more strongly linked to enhanced post-meal responses of other hormones (GLP-1 and PYY) rather than ghrelin-related changes.
A Secondary, Subgroup Analysis of Alcohol Cue-Exposure Craving in Response to Pharmacological Inhibition of the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor With PF-5190457.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken) · 2026
Constant intravenous ghrelin infusion in healthy young men: clinical pharmacokinetics and metabolic effects
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab · 2007
Show 6 more sources ↓
Metabolomic and proteomic analysis of ghrelin administration in mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus.
Acta Trop · 2026
# Summary Research found that ghrelin administration altered metabolic and protein expression patterns in mice infected with *Echinococcus granulosus*, with integrated analysis identifying key pathways—particularly linoleic acid metabolism—and specific proteins involved in liver tissue regulation. This study demonstrated that ghrelin treatment reduced markers of liver fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting a potential protective mechanism against the liver injury caused by parasitic cystic echinococcosis.
Fabrication and Characterization of Silk-Fibroin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Natural Compounds-Derived Bioscaffold to Accelerate Wound Healing.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) · 2026
# Summary Research found that a bioscaffold composed of silk fibroin, polyvinyl alcohol, and natural compounds including Ghrelin demonstrated enhanced antioxidant activity and promoted endothelial cell migration and proliferation in laboratory testing. This study demonstrated that the multifunctional scaffold showed promise as a biomedical material for wound healing applications by addressing key mechanisms of impaired wound healing, including excessive oxidative stress and inadequate blood vessel formation.
Cortical Thickness and Appetite Hormones in Adolescent Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder: A Comparative Study.
Int J Eat Disord · 2026
The Carbothalamus: Villain and Victim in Metabolic Care.
J Pak Med Assoc · 2026
Pilot clinical trial of macimorelin to assess safety and efficacy in patients with cancer cachexia
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle · 2023
A pilot randomized controlled trial found that daily oral macimorelin (a ghrelin receptor agonist) was safe over one week and produced numerical improvements in body weight and quality of life in patients with cancer cachexia, with fatigue improvement correlating with changes in body weight, IGF-1, and caloric intake.
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of macimorelin in healthy adults: Results of a single-dose, randomized controlled study
Growth Hormone & IGF Research · 2020
Research in a phase 1 randomized controlled study found that single-dose macimorelin (0.5–2.0 mg/kg) was well tolerated in healthy adults and stimulated growth hormone secretion within 45–60 minutes of oral administration, with peak GH levels of 32–38 ng/mL at the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg doses, confirming ghrelin receptor agonism as a GH secretory mechanism.
Ghrelin Side Effects & Safety Considerations
No FDA-approved label for this compound. Cautions below are extrapolated from its mechanism/drug class — investigational; educational only.
Absolute contraindications
Under clinical review
Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Ghrelin
Ghrelin is an endogenous 28-amino-acid peptide hormone produced primarily by X/A-like cells of the gastric fundus, characterized by a unique octanoyl modification at Ser3 required for GHS-R1a receptor binding; it is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and functions as a dual regulator of GH secretion and energy homeostasis. Ghrelin acts centrally via hypothalamic GHS-R1a receptors to potently stimulate GH release from the pituitary and to promote appetite through NPY/AgRP pathway activation, and has peripheral effects on gastric motility and insulin secretion, establishing it as a key integrator of nutritional status, GH axis activity, and energy balance.
GH stimulation, appetite stimulation, metabolic regulation, muscle preservation.
Research on Ghrelin primarily documents effects related to GH stimulation and appetite stimulation and metabolic regulation and muscle preservation. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
For Ghrelin, its FDA status is not evaluated by the FDA, and it is designated for research use only. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
3 providers in the directory currently offer Ghrelin.
# Summary This study demonstrated that research found ghrelin levels increased following bariatric surgery in non-diabetic women, though notably without showing the typical post-meal variation pattern observed in other gastrointestinal hormones. The research observed that while ghrelin elevation occurred post-surgery, the primary metabolic and cognitive improvements associated with the procedure were more strongly linked to enhanced post-meal responses of other hormones (GLP-1 and PYY) rather than ghrelin-related changes.
How to get Ghrelin
Where to buy Ghrelin
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