Hexarelin Dosing Guide: Cycling & Stacking (2026)
Hexarelin dosing guide with 100-200mcg protocols, reconstitution, desensitization cycling, and CJC-1295 stacking.
Hexarelin is the most potent GHRP studied in humans — but its strength comes with a catch: receptor desensitization. This guide covers practical dosing protocols, reconstitution, cycling strategies, and how to manage desensitization. For a full breakdown of hexarelin's benefits and how it compares to other GHRPs, see our hexarelin deep dive.
This is not medical advice. Community protocols are based on research literature and anecdotal reports.
Quick Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Dose | 100 mcg per injection |
| Route | Subcutaneous (SubQ) |
| Frequency | 2–3× daily |
| Cycle Length | 4–8 weeks on, 4+ weeks off |
| Typical Vial | 5 mg |
| Reconstitution | 2 mL bacteriostatic water |
| Concentration | 2,500 mcg/mL (4 units = 100 mcg) |
| Storage | Lyophilized: room temp or fridge. Reconstituted: refrigerated, use within 28 days |
| Timing | Empty stomach, 30 min before food |
Community Dosing Protocols
Beginner Protocol
- Dose: 50–100 mcg per injection
- Frequency: 2× daily (AM + PM)
- Cycle: 4 weeks on / 4 weeks off
- Purpose: Assess tolerance, gauge hunger/sleep response
Start at 50 mcg to evaluate side effects — particularly hunger spikes and any tingling at the injection site. If well-tolerated after 3–5 days, increase to 100 mcg.
Standard Protocol
- Dose: 100 mcg per injection
- Frequency: 3× daily (AM, post-workout, before bed)
- Cycle: 4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off
- Purpose: Maximized GH pulsatility across the day
This is the most commonly discussed protocol. Three daily injections align with natural GH pulse windows: the morning cortisol trough, the post-exercise GH-sensitive window, and the pre-sleep pulse.
Advanced / Saturation Protocol
- Dose: 200 mcg per injection
- Frequency: 2× daily (AM + PM)
- Cycle: 4 weeks on / 4 weeks off (strict)
- Purpose: Maximum single-pulse GH amplitude
Higher doses produce larger individual GH pulses but accelerate desensitization and increase prolactin/cortisol spillover. Most experienced users cap at 200 mcg per injection and keep cycles shorter.
Timing Rules
- Always on an empty stomach — at least 2 hours after eating
- Wait 30 minutes before eating after injection
- Fats and carbohydrates blunt the GH response
- Best injection windows:
- Morning upon waking (fasted)
- Post-workout (at least 30 min after eating)
- Before bed (2+ hours after dinner)
Ready to Buy? Compare Prices
Best current prices from verified vendors with COA testing.
Limitless Biotech · 10mg · $5.00/mgCOA ✓
The Peptide Brief
Weekly price drops, new research, and vendor deals — straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Reconstitution Guide
Step-by-Step: 5 mg Vial with 2 mL Bacteriostatic Water
- Gather supplies: 5 mg hexarelin vial, 2 mL bacteriostatic water (BAC), alcohol swabs, insulin syringes (U-100, 1 mL)
- Clean both vial tops with alcohol swabs
- Draw 2 mL (200 units) of BAC water into a syringe
- Inject slowly into the hexarelin vial — aim the stream against the glass wall, not directly onto the powder
- Swirl gently — never shake. Let the powder dissolve completely (1–2 minutes)
- Label the vial with the date, concentration, and contents
Dosing Math
With 5 mg in 2 mL:
- Concentration: 2,500 mcg per mL
- Per unit on U-100 insulin syringe: 25 mcg
| Dose | Units to Draw |
|---|---|
| 50 mcg | 2 units |
| 100 mcg | 4 units |
| 150 mcg | 6 units |
| 200 mcg | 8 units |
Storage
- Lyophilized (powder): Stable at room temperature for months; refrigeration extends shelf life
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate immediately. Use within 28 days. Do not freeze
- Traveling: Keep cool with an insulated pouch. Avoid direct sunlight or heat
The Desensitization Problem
This is the defining challenge of hexarelin. Among all GHRPs, hexarelin shows the most pronounced GHSR-1a receptor downregulation with chronic use. The GH response progressively weakens — even while the dose stays the same.
How to Recognize It
- Diminishing pumps during workouts (less pronounced fullness)
- Less deep sleep — early hexarelin use often improves sleep quality; when that fades, desensitization is likely
- Reduced recovery effects between sessions
- Less hunger response at doses that previously stimulated appetite
Cycling Strategies
Option 1: Fixed On/Off Cycling
- 4 weeks on → 4 weeks off → repeat
- Simple and effective. GH receptor sensitivity recovers fully during the off period
Option 2: GHRP Rotation
- 4 weeks hexarelin → 4–8 weeks ipamorelin or GHRP-2 → return to hexarelin
- Maintains GH secretagogue use year-round while allowing GHSR-1a recovery
- Ipamorelin is preferred for the rotation because it shows less desensitization
Option 3: Weekend Breaks
- 5 days on / 2 days off each week
- May slow desensitization but won't prevent it over multi-month use
- Better suited for lower doses (50–100 mcg)
Key Point
Desensitization is temporary. After a 4+ week washout, GHSR-1a sensitivity returns to baseline. There is no evidence of permanent receptor downregulation from cycling hexarelin.
Stacking with GHRH
The GHRH + GHRP combination is considered the gold standard approach to GH secretagogue use. The two peptide classes work through different mechanisms that multiply — not just add — the resulting GH pulse.
Why It Works
- Hexarelin (GHRP): Initiates the GH pulse via GHSR-1a activation
- CJC-1295 no DAC (GHRH): Amplifies the pulse via the GHRH receptor
- Together: Synergistic output significantly exceeds either peptide alone
Stack Protocol
| Component | Dose | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Hexarelin | 100 mcg | Empty stomach |
| CJC-1295 no DAC | 100 mcg | Same injection window |
- Inject both at the same time (can be drawn into the same syringe or injected separately)
- Follow the same timing rules: fasted, 30 min before food
- Standard frequency: 2–3× daily
- Cycle length: follow hexarelin's 4–8 week limit
For full GHRH + GHRP stack protocols, see our CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin dosing guide — the same GHRH principles apply when swapping ipamorelin for hexarelin.
What Research Studies Used
Clinical hexarelin studies help contextualize community doses — though most were single-dose pharmacokinetic designs, not long-term protocols.
- Bowers et al. (1991) used doses of 1 mcg/kg IV in early GHRP characterization studies, establishing hexarelin's potent GH-releasing activity.
- Ghigo et al. (1994) tested subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral routes at 20 mcg/kg (roughly 1,400–2,000 mcg for a 70–100 kg adult) — far above typical community doses. SubQ was the most reliable route.
- Arvat et al. (2001) compared hexarelin to ghrelin at 1 mcg/kg IV, confirming hexarelin's superior GH pulse amplitude in head-to-head testing.
- Locatelli et al. (1999) and related cardioprotective work used similar dose ranges and confirmed GH-independent cardiac effects via CD36 receptors.
Community doses of 100–200 mcg per injection are significantly lower than most clinical study doses, which were designed for acute pharmacological characterization rather than sustained use.
For complete research breakdowns and study comparisons, see our hexarelin deep dive.
Side Effects by Dose
Common at All Doses (50–200 mcg)
- Hunger increase — present but milder than GHRP-6
- Tingling or warmth at injection site — typically fades within minutes
- Flushing — mild facial warmth, especially in the first few doses
More Common at Higher Doses (150–200+ mcg)
- Cortisol elevation — hexarelin stimulates ACTH/cortisol at higher doses, unlike ipamorelin
- Prolactin increase — dose-dependent; can cause water retention, mood changes, or nipple sensitivity at sustained high doses
- Water retention — bloating or puffiness, particularly in the face and hands
- Numbness or carpal tunnel symptoms — indicates significant GH elevation; reduce dose if persistent
When to Lower Your Dose
- Persistent water retention or puffiness
- Numbness or tingling in hands (carpal tunnel signs)
- Mood changes or libido issues (possible prolactin elevation)
- Diminishing effects despite consistent dosing (desensitization — time to cycle off, not increase dose)
Hexarelin vs Other GHRPs: Which to Choose
Choosing the right GHRP depends on your priorities:
Want the strongest GH pulse? → Hexarelin — highest single-dose GH output of any GHRP. Best for short, aggressive cycles. Accept the desensitization trade-off.
Want the cleanest side effect profile? → Ipamorelin — no cortisol or prolactin increase. Can run longer cycles. Lower GH output per dose.
Want appetite stimulation? → GHRP-6 — strongest hunger response. Useful for bulking phases or underweight individuals.
Want a budget-friendly middle ground? → GHRP-2 — strong GH release (between hexarelin and ipamorelin), moderate hunger, moderate sides. Good all-rounder.
Want an oral option (no injections)? → MK-677 — oral GH secretagogue. Convenient but 24-hour half-life means continuous GHSR activation with higher desensitization and hunger.
Want to combine approaches? → See our peptide stacking guide for multi-peptide protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reconstitute a 5mg hexarelin vial? Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 5 mg vial for a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A standard 100 mcg dose equals 4 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Store refrigerated and use within 28 days.
How long can I run hexarelin before desensitization? Most community protocols cap continuous use at 4–8 weeks. GHSR-1a receptor downregulation is the primary concern — GH response diminishes progressively with daily use beyond this window. Cycle off for at least 4 weeks or rotate to another GHRP.
When should I inject hexarelin for best results? Always on an empty stomach — at least 2 hours after eating and 30 minutes before food. The three best windows are morning upon waking, immediately post-workout, and before bed to align with natural GH pulse timing.
Can I stack hexarelin with CJC-1295? Yes — combining hexarelin with CJC-1295 (no DAC) or another GHRH analog is considered the gold standard GH stack. The GHRP initiates the pulse while the GHRH amplifies it, producing significantly higher GH output than either alone.
What's the difference between hexarelin and ipamorelin for dosing? Hexarelin produces stronger GH pulses at lower doses but desensitizes faster and raises cortisol/prolactin at higher doses. Ipamorelin is milder but can be run longer without desensitization. Many protocols rotate between the two.
References
-
Bowers CY, et al. "On the actions of the growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide, GHRP." Endocrinology. 1991;128(1):1-3. PubMed
-
Ghigo E, et al. "Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral administration in man." J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;78(3):693-8. PubMed
-
Arvat E, et al. "Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin." J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(3):1169-74. PubMed
-
Locatelli V, et al. "Growth hormone-independent cardioprotective effects of hexarelin in the rat." Endocrinology. 1999;140(9):4024-31. PubMed
-
Deghenghi R, et al. "GH-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new growth hormone releasing peptide, in infant and adult rats." Life Sci. 1994;54(18):1321-8. PubMed
-
Broglio F, et al. "Effects of acute hexarelin administration on cardiac performance in patients with coronary artery disease during bypass surgery." Eur J Pharmacol. 2002;448(2-3):193-200. PubMed
This article is for educational and research purposes only. It is not medical advice. Hexarelin is a research compound — consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.