Comparison
GHRP-6 vs Noopept
Side-by-side of GHRP-6 and Noopept. 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-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.
Noopept
Noopept cognitive enhancer profile: 10 to 30 mg dosage, dipeptide nootropic mechanism, memory effects, and how it compares to piracetam.
Effects at a glance
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- •Largely superseded by ipamorelin (cleaner profile) and GHRP-2 (stronger pulse) for body-composition use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
Noopept
- •Russian dipeptide nootropic developed in the 1990s, registered in Russia 2002 for cognitive impairment
- •Roughly 1,000-fold higher per-mg potency than piracetam; therapeutic dose 10 to 30 mg/day
- •Active metabolite cycloprolylglycine modulates AMPA receptors and increases NGF and BDNF in rodent hippocampus
- •Russian RCTs in stroke recovery and vascular cognitive impairment show modest improvements over 4 to 8 weeks
- •Western evidence base is essentially absent; healthy-adult enhancement trials have not been published
- •Unscheduled in the US but not approved for human consumption; UK is prescription-only since 2014
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GHRP-6 | Noopept |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | nootropic |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6, SKF-110679, Histidyl-D-Tryptophyl-Alanyl-Tryptophyl-D-Phenylalanyl-Lysinamide | GVS-111, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, Omberacetam |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 20 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | 2 to 3 times daily, last dose before mid-afternoon |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intravenous | oral, sublingual |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 1 |
| Molecular weight | 872.44 | 318.37 |
| Molecular formula | C46H56N12O6 | C17H22N2O4 |
| Mechanism | 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. | Hydrolyzed to active metabolite cycloprolylglycine; AMPA receptor modulation, BDNF and NGF upregulation, antioxidant and antiexcitotoxic effects. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | Approved in Russia and CIS states; prescription-only in UK; unscheduled and unapproved in US, EU varies |
| WADA status | banned | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled (research chemical) | Not scheduled in the US |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Not recommended |
| CAS | 87616-84-0 | 157115-85-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 183503 |
| Wikidata | Q5519921 | Q4321022 |
Safety profile
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)
Noopept
Common side effects
- headache
- irritability
- sleep disturbance with late-day dosing
- occasional blood pressure elevation
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- pediatric use
- severe hepatic impairment
- severe renal impairment
Interactions
- memantine and other glutamatergic agents: theoretical AMPA-pathway interaction(minor)
- antidepressants: theoretical effect via BDNF axis, undocumented(minor)
- antihypertensives: occasional blood pressure elevation may require monitoring(minor)
Which Should You Take?
Noopept comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, controlled substance, 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 growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-6.
- → If your priority is appetite regulation, pick GHRP-6.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Noopept.
- → If your priority is memory, pick Noopept.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Noopept is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Noopept. Wider use case, 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 GHRP-6 and Noopept?
GHRP-6 and Noopept differ in category (peptide vs nootropic), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, GHRP-6 or Noopept?
GHRP-6 half-life is 0.5 hours; Noopept half-life is 0.7 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-6 with Noopept?
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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