Comparison
GHRP-6 vs Urolithin A
Side-by-side of GHRP-6 and Urolithin A. 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.
Urolithin A
Urolithin A supplement guide: pomegranate-derived metabolite, 500-1000 mg Mitopure dosing, mitophagy and muscle endurance evidence.
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- •Largely superseded by ipamorelin (cleaner profile) and GHRP-2 (stronger pulse) for body-composition use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
Urolithin A
- •Gut-microbiome-derived metabolite of pomegranate and walnut ellagitannins
- •Roughly 40% of adults are 'urolithin producers' from dietary intake; ~60% are non-producers
- •Ryu 2016 (Nature Medicine) reported lifespan extension in C. elegans and muscle benefits in aged rodents
- •Andreux 2019 first-in-human trial (n=60) established safety and mitochondrial gene-expression upregulation
- •Singh 2022 (n=66, 4 months, 1000 mg/day) reported improved muscle endurance in older adults
- •Most human trial portfolio is Amazentis-funded; independent replication is thin
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GHRP-6 | Urolithin A |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | supplement |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6, SKF-110679, Histidyl-D-Tryptophyl-Alanyl-Tryptophyl-D-Phenylalanyl-Lysinamide | UA, Mitopure, ellagitannin metabolite |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 17 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 500 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | daily, morning with food |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intravenous | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 2 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 4 |
| Molecular weight | 872.44 | 228.2 |
| Molecular formula | C46H56N12O6 | C13H8O4 |
| 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. | Induces mitophagy via potentiation of PINK1/Parkin signaling, leading to selective degradation of damaged mitochondria. Secondary anti-inflammatory effects via NF-kB modulation. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | OTC dietary supplement (US GRAS 2018; EFSA Novel Food 2021) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled (research chemical) | OTC supplement (not scheduled) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Insufficient data; not routinely recommended |
| CAS | 87616-84-0 | 1143-70-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 5488186 |
| Wikidata | Q5519921 | Q27101321 |
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)
Urolithin A
Common side effects
- mild GI upset (rare)
- soft stools (rare)
Contraindications
- pregnancy and lactation (insufficient data)
- active chemotherapy (consult oncology)
Interactions
- chemotherapy agents: theoretical interaction with mitochondrial-targeting agents; consult oncologist(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Urolithin A comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-A 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 healthspan extension, pick Urolithin A.
- → If your priority is muscle hypertrophy, pick Urolithin A.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Urolithin A is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Urolithin A. Lower friction to source, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, 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 Urolithin A?
GHRP-6 and Urolithin A differ in category (peptide vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, GHRP-6 or Urolithin A?
GHRP-6 half-life is 0.5 hours; Urolithin A half-life is 17 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-6 with Urolithin A?
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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