Comparison
GHRP-2 vs Semax
Side-by-side of GHRP-2 and Semax. 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.
Semax
Semax peptide benefits: nootropic ACTH(4-10) analog without corticotropic activity. Cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, intranasal dosing, Russian stroke.
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
Semax
- •Synthetic heptapeptide analog of ACTH(4-10) developed in Russia in the 1980s
- •Approved in Russia for ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and cerebrovascular disorders
- •Lacks the corticotropic activity of native ACTH due to the Pro-Gly-Pro stabilizing tail
- •Russian RCTs report improved cognitive recovery in acute ischemic stroke versus standard care
- •Modulates BDNF and NGF expression and dopaminergic signaling in preclinical models
- •Standard route is intranasal; not FDA approved; research-use-only outside Russia
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GHRP-2 | Semax |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | peptide |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, ACTH(4-10) Pro-Gly-Pro analog |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | 2-3x daily (intranasal) |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | intranasal |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 817.97 | 813.94 |
| Molecular formula | C45H55N9O6 | C37H51N9O10S |
| 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. | Modulates BDNF and NGF expression in hippocampus and cortex, enhances dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling, and reduces oxidative stress markers in preclinical ischemia models. Lacks corticotropic activity of native ACTH. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA | Approved in Russia for stroke and cognitive disorders; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market elsewhere |
| WADA status | banned | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Not recommended; insufficient data |
| CAS | 158861-67-7 | 80714-61-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 9811102 |
| Wikidata | Q7235681 | Q4413083 |
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)
Semax
Common side effects
- mild nasal irritation
- transient mild headache
- rare mild euphoria or activation
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- acute psychotic disorder
- severe hypertension (caution due to mild activating effect)
Interactions
- stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines): potential additive activation; monitor for overstimulation(minor)
- antipsychotics: theoretical antagonism via dopaminergic modulation(minor)
Which Should You Take?
GHRP-2 comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, research-only / gray-market sourcing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. Semax is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is post-training recovery, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Semax.
- → If your priority is long-term neuroprotection, pick Semax.
Default choice: GHRP-2. Wider use case, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Semax 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 GHRP-2 and Semax?
GHRP-2 and Semax 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 Semax?
GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours; Semax half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-2 with Semax?
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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