Comparison
EGCG vs GHRP-6
Side-by-side of EGCG and GHRP-6. 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.
EGCG
EGCG supplement guide: 300-600 mg/day green tea catechin for fat loss and cardiovascular markers. Hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day fasted.
GHRP-6
First-generation hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist. Pioneered the GHS-R1a pathway in the 1980s. Produces the strongest hunger response among GHRPs and a mo.
Effects at a glance
EGCG
- •Modest fat loss (~1.3 kg over 12 weeks) when combined with caffeine and caloric deficit
- •Small reductions in LDL cholesterol (3-6 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (2-3 mmHg)
- •EFSA flags hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day, particularly when taken fasted
- •Bioavailability is 0.1-1.0%; gut microbiome variation drives population-variable response
- •Green tea extract typically combines EGCG with caffeine and L-theanine for additive effects
- •Reduces non-heme iron absorption when co-administered with meals
GHRP-6
- •First-generation hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist; foundational to the GHRP class
- •Strongest appetite stimulation of any synthetic GHRP at equivalent GH doses
- •Produces measurable cortisol and prolactin rise alongside the GH pulse
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 200 mcg subcutaneously 2 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach
- •Largely superseded by ipamorelin (cleaner profile) and GHRP-2 (stronger pulse) for body-composition use
- •Banned by WADA under S2; detection methods validated in accredited labs
Side-by-side
| Attribute | EGCG | GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | natural | peptide |
| Also known as | epigallocatechin gallate, green tea extract | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6, SKF-110679, Histidyl-D-Tryptophyl-Alanyl-Tryptophyl-D-Phenylalanyl-Lysinamide |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 3 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 400 | 0.1 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times daily with food | 2-3x daily |
| Routes | oral | subcutaneous, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 1.5 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 0.5 |
| Molecular weight | 458.37 | 872.44 |
| Molecular formula | C22H18O11 | C46H56N12O6 |
| Mechanism | Inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) to prolong norepinephrine signaling; activates AMPK; scavenges reactive oxygen species via gallate ester; modulates gut microbiome and pancreatic lipase activity. | Hexapeptide agonist of GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor). Suppresses hypothalamic somatostatin and stimulates pituitary somatotrophs, with strong central NPY/AgRP appetite signaling and modest cortisol and prolactin release. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement; warning labels required above 800 mg/day in some EU jurisdictions | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA |
| WADA status | allowed | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | Not scheduled (research chemical) |
| Pregnancy | Avoid high-dose extracts; moderate green tea consumption appears acceptable | Insufficient data; not recommended |
| CAS | 989-51-5 | 87616-84-0 |
| PubChem CID | 65064 | 9919072 |
| Wikidata | Q307091 | Q5519921 |
Safety profile
EGCG
Common side effects
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- diarrhea
- jitteriness (with caffeine)
- sleep disruption (with caffeine)
Contraindications
- pregnancy at high-dose extracts
- active liver disease
- iron deficiency anemia (separate dosing)
Interactions
- iron supplements: reduces non-heme iron absorption; separate by 2 to 3 hours(moderate)
- anticoagulants: additive effects at high catechin doses(minor)
- beta-blockers (nadolol): reduced absorption when taken simultaneously(moderate)
- hepatotoxic supplements (high-dose niacin, kava): theoretical additive hepatotoxicity at high EGCG doses(moderate)
- stimulants and caffeine: additive thermogenic and cardiovascular effects(minor)
GHRP-6
Common side effects
- intense hunger
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- head pressure or flushing
- tingling at injection site
- transient lethargy
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- prolactin sensitivity
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; commonly co-administered(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?
EGCG 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-6 is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-6.
- → If your priority is appetite regulation, pick GHRP-6.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, EGCG is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: EGCG. Lower friction to source, and broader goal coverage. Reach for GHRP-6 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 EGCG and GHRP-6?
EGCG and GHRP-6 differ in category (natural vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, EGCG or GHRP-6?
EGCG half-life is 3 hours; GHRP-6 half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack EGCG with GHRP-6?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper