Comparison
GHRP-2 vs GHRP-6
Side-by-side of GHRP-2 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.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 peptide (pralmorelin, KP-102) is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers pulsatile growth hormone release via the pituitary.
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
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
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- •Largely superseded by ipamorelin (cleaner profile) and GHRP-2 (stronger pulse) for body-composition use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 | GHRP-2 | GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | peptide |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6, SKF-110679, Histidyl-D-Tryptophyl-Alanyl-Tryptophyl-D-Phenylalanyl-Lysinamide |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | 2-3x daily |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | subcutaneous, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Molecular weight | 817.97 | 872.44 |
| Molecular formula | C45H55N9O6 | C46H56N12O6 |
| Mechanism | 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. | 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 | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA |
| WADA status | banned | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan | Not scheduled (research chemical) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Insufficient data; not recommended |
| CAS | 158861-67-7 | 87616-84-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 9919072 |
| Wikidata | Q7235681 | Q5519921 |
Safety profile
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)
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?
GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is post-training recovery, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is appetite regulation, pick GHRP-2.
Default choice: either is defensible. GHRP-2 edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; GHRP-6 is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed 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 GHRP-2 and GHRP-6?
GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 differ in category (peptide vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, GHRP-2 or GHRP-6?
GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours; GHRP-6 half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-2 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.
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