Comparison
Hexarelin vs N-Acetyl Cysteine
Side-by-side of Hexarelin and N-Acetyl Cysteine. 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.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin peptide is a ghrelin-receptor hexapeptide. Largest acute GH pulse in the GHRP class, highest cortisol and prolactin lift, CD36 cardioprotective sign.
N-Acetyl Cysteine
NAC supplement benefits cover glutathione synthesis, liver and antioxidant support, and hangover recovery. Evidence strongest at 1200-2400 mg/day.
Effects at a glance
Hexarelin
- •Synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist; produces the largest acute GH pulse of the synthetic GHRP class
- •Independent CD36 signaling produces cardioprotective effects in rodent ischemia models, GH-independent
- •Pronounced tachyphylaxis: GH response attenuates over 2 to 4 weeks of daily dosing
- •More cortisol and prolactin elevation than GHRP-2 or ipamorelin
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 200 mcg subcutaneously 1 to 2 times daily for 2 to 4 week pulses
- •Banned by WADA under S2; advanced through phase 2 trials but never reached registration
N-Acetyl Cysteine
- •Replenishes intracellular glutathione by supplying cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid for synthesis
- •First-line antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, restoring hepatic glutathione before fulminant injury occurs
- •Reduces sputum viscosity in chronic bronchitis and COPD at 600 to 1200 mg/day over months
- •Modest symptom reductions in OCD and trichotillomania at 1200 to 2400 mg/day across small RCTs
- •Mixed evidence for psychiatric adjunct use in bipolar depression and schizophrenia negative symptoms
- •Inhaled forms can trigger bronchospasm in active asthma; oral use is the standard biohacker route
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Hexarelin | N-Acetyl Cysteine |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | supplement |
| Also known as | Examorelin, EP-23905, His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 | NAC |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 1 | 5.6 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 1200 |
| Dosing frequency | 1-2x daily | 1 to 3 times daily, split dosing preferred |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | oral, iv |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 887.04 | 163.19 |
| Molecular formula | C47H58N12O6 | C5H9NO3S |
| Mechanism | Hexapeptide agonist of GHS-R1a producing acute GH release with cortisol and prolactin co-elevation. Independent CD36 binding produces GH-independent cardioprotective signaling in preclinical models. | Deacetylated to cysteine, the rate-limiting precursor for glutathione synthesis; also directly scavenges reactive oxygen species and modulates glutamate signaling. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; advanced through phase 2 trials in EU but never registered; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | OTC in most jurisdictions; restricted periods in US history (FDA reclassified 2022) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled (research chemical) | OTC supplement (US, post-2022); Rx indications also exist (acetaminophen overdose, mucolytic) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Used clinically in pregnancy for specific indications; consult clinician |
| CAS | 140703-51-1 | 616-91-1 |
| PubChem CID | 3037387 | 12035 |
| Wikidata | Q5743550 | Q413299 |
Safety profile
Hexarelin
Common side effects
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- head pressure or flushing
- transient lethargy
- tingling at injection site
- moderate hunger
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- prolactin-sensitive states
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; accelerates tachyphylaxis if used continuously(minor)
- sermorelin: additive GH release via parallel GHRH and ghrelin pathways(minor)
- insulin: sustained GH can blunt insulin sensitivity over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: amplify cortisol load; blunt GH response(moderate)
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Common side effects
- sulfur-like taste or odor
- nausea
- flatulence
- diarrhea
Contraindications
- active asthma attack (inhaled form can trigger bronchospasm)
- known NAC hypersensitivity
Interactions
- nitroglycerin: potentiates vasodilation, risk of hypotension and headache(moderate)
- activated charcoal: reduces NAC absorption when used for acetaminophen overdose(moderate)
- anticoagulants: theoretical additive antiplatelet effect at high doses(minor)
Which Should You Take?
N-Acetyl Cysteine comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Hexarelin is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick Hexarelin.
- → If your priority is cardiac function, pick Hexarelin.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick N-Acetyl Cysteine.
- → If your priority is liver function, pick N-Acetyl Cysteine.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, N-Acetyl Cysteine is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: N-Acetyl Cysteine. Wider use case, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Hexarelin 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 Hexarelin and N-Acetyl Cysteine?
Hexarelin and N-Acetyl Cysteine 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, Hexarelin or N-Acetyl Cysteine?
Hexarelin half-life is 1 hours; N-Acetyl Cysteine half-life is 5.6 hours.
Can you stack Hexarelin with N-Acetyl Cysteine?
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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