Comparison
Alpha-Lipoic Acid vs GHRP-2
Side-by-side of Alpha-Lipoic Acid and GHRP-2. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid supplement guide: 600 mg/day oral dosing, R-ALA vs racemic absorption, neuropathy trial data, antioxidant mechanism, interactions.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 peptide (pralmorelin, KP-102) is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers pulsatile growth hormone release via the pituitary.
Effects at a glance
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- •Approved Rx for diabetic neuropathy in Germany at 600 mg/day IV (Thioctacid) since 1960s
- •Improves neuropathy symptoms (TSS, NIS) at 600 mg/day IV across ALADIN and SYDNEY trials
- •R-ALA enantiomer absorbs 40-100% better than racemic mixtures
- •Activates AMPK; produces small HbA1c reductions in T2DM
- •Plasma half-life ~30 minutes; split dosing or sustained-release is standard
- •Hypoglycemia risk with insulin or sulfonylureas; medication adjustment may be required
GHRP-2
- •Hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release within 15 to 30 minutes
- •Strongest appetite signal among GHRPs at standard doses; centrally mediated via NPY/AgRP
- •Produces measurable cortisol and prolactin rise (more than ipamorelin, less than GHRP-6)
- •Approved in Japan as pralmorelin for GH-deficiency diagnostic provocation; not FDA approved
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 300 mcg subcutaneously 2 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach
- •Banned by WADA under S2; detection methods validated in accredited labs
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Alpha-Lipoic Acid | GHRP-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | supplement | peptide |
| Also known as | ALA, thioctic acid, R-ALA, R-lipoic acid | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 600 | 0.1 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 3 times daily on empty stomach | 2-3x daily |
| Routes | oral, iv | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 1 | 0.5 |
| Molecular weight | 206.33 | 817.97 |
| Molecular formula | C8H14O2S2 | C45H55N9O6 |
| Mechanism | Dual lipid- and water-soluble antioxidant; redox cycles with dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) to scavenge ROS, regenerate vitamin E and C, and chelate transition metals. Activates AMPK in liver and muscle; cofactor for pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes. | Hexapeptide agonist of the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Suppresses hypothalamic somatostatin tone and stimulates pituitary somatotrophs, producing a pulsatile GH release with secondary cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH elevation. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement (US, UK, Canada, most EU); prescription drug for diabetic neuropathy in Germany | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA |
| WADA status | allowed | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; precautionary avoidance | Insufficient data; not recommended |
| CAS | 62-46-4 | 158861-67-7 |
| PubChem CID | 864 | 9919072 |
| Wikidata | Q161227 | Q7235681 |
Safety profile
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Common side effects
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- diarrhea
- sulfurous odor
- rash (rare)
Contraindications
- pregnancy and lactation (insufficient safety data)
- active insulin autoimmune syndrome predisposition
Interactions
- insulin and sulfonylureas: additive hypoglycemia; medication dose adjustment may be required(major)
- thyroid hormone: may reduce T4 to T3 conversion at high doses(moderate)
- biotin: ALA competes with biotin uptake; chronic use can induce biotin insufficiency(minor)
- iron supplements: ALA chelates iron and reduces absorption; separate dosing(moderate)
- chemotherapy (oxidative-stress-dependent agents): theoretical interference; coordinate with oncology team(moderate)
GHRP-2
Common side effects
- acute hunger
- head pressure or flushing
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- tingling at injection site
- transient lethargy
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- severe insulin resistance
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; commonly co-administered for larger pulse(minor)
- sermorelin: additive GH release via parallel GHRH and ghrelin pathways(minor)
- insulin: sustained GH can blunt insulin sensitivity over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: blunt GH response and amplify cortisol load(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Alpha-Lipoic Acid comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. GHRP-2 is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Alpha-Lipoic Acid.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Alpha-Lipoic Acid.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is post-training recovery, pick GHRP-2.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Alpha-Lipoic Acid is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Lower friction to source, and broader goal coverage. Reach for GHRP-2 only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between Alpha-Lipoic Acid and GHRP-2?
Alpha-Lipoic Acid and GHRP-2 differ in category (supplement vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Alpha-Lipoic Acid or GHRP-2?
Alpha-Lipoic Acid half-life is 0.5 hours; GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Alpha-Lipoic Acid with GHRP-2?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper