GHRP-6 is described in the source as a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. It is reported to promote endogenous growth hormone release and is also associated with appetite stimulation. The supplied evidence frames it as an investigational research compound rather than an approved medicine.

How does GHRP-6 work?

The source reports that GHRP-6 activates growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a, also called GHS-R1a. Activity at this receptor in hypothalamic and pituitary signaling is linked with growth hormone pulses, while receptor expression in appetite-related neural pathways helps explain the strong hunger effect. The source also notes cortisol and prolactin increases at higher doses.

Is GHRP-6 FDA approved?

No. The supplied source lists GHRP-6 as not FDA approved and describes it as preclinical or investigational with FDA Category 2 compounding restriction concerns.

What side effects are reported for GHRP-6?

Reported effects in the source include marked hunger, water retention, higher cortisol, higher prolactin, flushing, nausea, headache, possible histamine release concern, and limited long-term safety data. These are source-reported safety signals, not a complete risk profile.

What typical dose is reported for GHRP-6?

The source lists a community-reported typical amount of 100-300 mcg taken 2-3 times daily, with a stated range of 100-500 mcg per dose and subcutaneous administration. This is reported-use information only and is not an approved dosing instruction.

Growth Hormone Clinical Trials - human trials under way

GHRP-6

Also known as: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6, SKF-110679

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

Investigational GHS-R1a agonist peptide studied for growth hormone release and appetite effects.

Status

Clinical Trials

Evidence level: human studies

Typical dose

100–300mcg

Subcutaneous injection

Researched for

Appetite stimulation, muscle building, GH release

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

Preclinical - Emerging human evidence with important limitations

Use the tools

In plain language

Synthetic six-amino-acid growth hormone secretagogue with sequence His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2.
Source describes it as investigational and not FDA approved.
Evidence is reported as human-trial level, while the trial phase field is listed as .
Source-reported use areas include appetite stimulation, muscle-building research, and GH release.
Community dosing data and research-labeled dosing are present, but neither establishes approved clinical use.

How it's thought to work

GHRP-6 is reported to act as an at GHS-R1a, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor associated with ghrelin biology. The source links receptor activation in pituitary and hypothalamic pathways to growth hormone pulse release. It also notes that GHS-R1a involvement in NPY/AgRP appetite circuitry may contribute to GHRP-6's prominent hunger effect, and that higher doses may raise cortisol and prolactin.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The supplied source describes GHRP-6 as a research tool studied in humans, mainly for laboratory or diagnostic investigation of growth hormone release rather than as a validated therapeutic intervention. It notes early research showing growth hormone release, and connects investigation of this class to the later identification of ghrelin. A cited 2013 pharmacokinetic study in nine healthy men is summarized as finding very low oral and an elimination of about 2.5 hours. The source states that popular fitness-related outcome claims such as muscle gain, fat loss, and healing lack controlled human outcome-trial support, and it reiterates that GHRP-6 is not FDA or EMA approved.

What it shows

✓ Human studies

Emerging human evidence with important limitations

△ Limitations

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Bottom line: Preclinical/investigational; source notes FDA Category 2 compounding restriction concerns Not FDA approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

100–300 mcg

2-3x daily

100 mcgfull range seen500 mcg

Community-reported dosing; source notes pronounced hunger increase and reports empty-stomach timing. This is not an approved dosing recommendation. · Subcutaneous injection

Research dosing

Study-specific protocolsHuman trials under way - protocols are study-specific

Doses observed in studies

100-300 mcg per injection

Preclinical research - animal/in-vitro dose context

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Duration: 8-12 weeks
Administration: Subcutaneous injection, reported as fasted

Timing & administration

Best time to take

Reported timing: fasted morning use or before bed

2-3 times daily, reported 30 minutes before meals or before bed

Food recommendation

Source reports empty-stomach or fasted timing

Why this timing?

The source associates fasted timing with the reported growth hormone response and mentions evening timing in relation to normal nighttime GH patterns. It also notes appetite stimulation, which may affect timing considerations.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Significant hunger increase
Water retention
Elevated cortisol levels
Elevated prolactin levels
Flushing
Nausea
Headache
Possible histamine release
Limited long-term safety data

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

Sequence

His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

Browse the dataset

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Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

Community discussion

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GHRP-6

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

What does GHRP-6 do?