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GHRP-2

Last reviewed: April 18, 2026 by The Peptide Catalog Team

A potent growth hormone peptide for muscle growth, fat loss, and recovery. GHRP-2 is a potent synthetic hexapeptide that stimulates growth hormone release through the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R). One of the strongest GHRPs available, it produces significant GH pulses with moderate effects on cortisol, prolactin, and appetite. Often stacked with GHRH peptides like CJC-1295 for synergistic effects.

CategoryGrowth & Repair Peptides
ClassGH secretagogue
GoalMuscle Growth
Overview

Core Benefits

Key Advantages
Strong GH release
Drives a sharp GH pulse — stronger than ipamorelin.
Lean body composition
Supports fat loss and lean mass when paired with training.
Faster recovery
Cuts soreness and recovery time between hard sessions.
Mild appetite kick
Less hunger than GHRP-6 — useful in lean bulks.
Better sleep depth
Improves deep sleep phases for overnight recovery.
Stacks with CJC-1295
Pairs with CJC-1295 for amplified, sustained GH output.

These are educational summaries of commonly discussed effects in wellness/regenerative contexts, not guarantees.

GHRP-2 Results Timeline

Progression
1
Week 1–2
Physical Changes
Early fat mobilization, increased muscle pump
Performance & Recovery
Noticeably improved sleep, faster recovery
Other Benefits
Moderate appetite increase, improved mood
2
Week 3–6
Physical Changes
Visible fat reduction, muscle fullness increases
Performance & Recovery
Enhanced workout recovery, less soreness
Other Benefits
Consistent sleep quality, elevated energy
3
Month 2–4
Physical Changes
Significant body composition changes, leaner appearance
Performance & Recovery
Strength gains, improved endurance
Other Benefits
Skin quality improvements, sustained vitality
4
4+ Months
Physical Changes
Continued lean mass gains, maintained fat loss
Performance & Recovery
Peak recovery, ability to train harder
Other Benefits
Can be used long-term for anti-aging; cycle 8 weeks on/off or continuous

Timeline is illustrative and non-guaranteed. Outcomes vary and are commonly discussed alongside training, nutrition, sleep, and cycling practices.

Read the full GHRP-2 results timeline →

Evidence at a glance

Two parallel grades per outcome — clinical RCT depth and real-world community adoption. See the Research Overview below for citations and detail.

OutcomeClinical EvidenceCommunity Evidence
GH pulse stimulation in healthy adultsStrongModerate
Appetite stimulation / food intakeModerateModerate
Cortisol / prolactin elevation (off-target)ModerateModerate
Body composition / muscle gainPreliminaryModerate
How It WorksGHRP (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide) — Potent Ghrelin Agonist

Receptor → GH Secretion → Systemic Effects → Outcomes

1
Target

GHS-R1a (Ghrelin Receptor) — Strong Activation

GHRP-2 activates the same ghrelin receptor as Ipamorelin, but with broader activation. It triggers GH release more potently, but also activates pathways that increase cortisol, prolactin, and appetite — tradeoffs that Ipamorelin avoids through its selective binding.

2
Cellular Signal

IP3/DAG + Broader Hormonal Cascade

Ghrelin receptor activation via IP3/DAG pathway produces strong GH pulses. Unlike Ipamorelin, GHRP-2 also activates cortisol and prolactin release pathways, and stimulates moderate appetite increase through central ghrelin signaling. The tradeoff: more potent GH output with more side effects.

3
Systemic Effect

Strong GH Spikes → Robust IGF-1 Elevation

The potent GH pulses produce significant IGF-1 elevation, supporting aggressive recovery and body composition changes. The moderate appetite increase can be beneficial for those in caloric surplus (bulking) but unwanted for cutting phases.

4
What You Notice

Faster Recovery → Body Recomp → Moderate Hunger

Stronger effects than Ipamorelin on recovery and body composition, but with noticeable hunger increase and potential water retention. Sleep improvement is common. Best for those prioritizing maximum GH output who can tolerate the side effects.

What Makes This Peptide Different

GHRP-2 is the middle-ground GHRP — more potent than Ipamorelin but with fewer side effects than GHRP-6. It produces strong GH pulses with moderate cortisol/prolactin elevation and appetite stimulation. Often chosen when maximum GH output is prioritized over selectivity but GHRP-6's extreme hunger effect is unwanted.

GHRP Comparison — Selectivity vs Potency

PeptideHalf-LifeGH PatternWhat's Unique
Ipamorelin~2 hoursSelective GH pulseMost selective — no cortisol/prolactin/hunger increase
GHRP-2~15-30 minStrong GH pulsePotent GH + moderate cortisol/prolactin/appetite
GHRP-6~15-20 minStrong GH pulseStrong GH + significant hunger — ideal for bulking
Hexarelin~70 minStrongest GH pulseMost potent GHRP — but rapid desensitization, short cycles

Research overview

Outcome-by-outcome look at what the evidence actually supports for GHRP-2, including human vs. animal study counts and our editorial take on each.

GH pulse stimulation

Clinical:StrongCommunity:Moderate

Bowers and colleagues established in the late 1980s and 1990s that synthetic GHRPs including GHRP-2 produce dose-dependent GH release in healthy adults that is synergistic with GHRH. Peak GH levels rise 3-10x with combined GHRP-2 + GHRH vs either alone. Cortisol and prolactin elevation is a real off-target — less than GHRP-6 but more than ipamorelin.

4 human studies · 6 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • Synergistic GH release with GHRH — combined administration far exceeds additive (Bowers).
  • Peak GH 7-70 µg/L at doses of 0.1-1.0 µg/kg in healthy men.
  • Modest but real cortisol and prolactin co-stimulation.

Our take

Real GH release, real cortisol bump. If you specifically want a GHRP without cortisol, ipamorelin is the cleaner pick.

Appetite stimulation

Clinical:ModerateCommunity:Moderate

Laferrère 2005 showed GHRP-2 increased food intake in healthy men proportional to ghrelin's effect. This is the basis for community use as an appetite-stimulating peptide in cachexia or post-illness recovery.

1 human study · 4 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • Laferrère 2005: GHRP-2 increased food intake in healthy men comparable to ghrelin.
  • Mechanism via GHS-R1a in the arcuate nucleus.
  • Effect is dose-dependent and short-lasting (hours).

Our take

Appetite increase is a feature for cachexia, a bug for fat-loss phases. Plan around it accordingly.

What GHRP-2 doesn't do

Claims that current evidence does not support. Worth knowing before you set expectations.

GHRP-2 Vendors

COA

Swiss Chems

Score
10/10
Price
$19.95
Amount
5mg
Cost/mg
$3.99/mg
Ships Worldwide
View at Swiss Chems
Dosing ProtocolGrowth Hormone

Educational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Vial Size
5 mg
Reconstitution
2.5 ml BAC water
Dose
100-300 mcg per injection
Timing
2-3x daily (before meals and/or bedtime)
Frequency
5 days on, 2 days off
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Protocol Notes
One of the most potent GHRPs. May increase cortisol and prolactin. Strong appetite stimulation. Best taken on empty stomach.

Why This Dosing Protocol

Why AM and/or PM? GHRP-2 amplifies existing GH pulses. Twice-daily dosing (morning + bedtime) captures the two main natural GH windows.

Why empty stomach? Insulin blunts GH release. Fast for 2+ hours before injection. The moderate appetite increase from GHRP-2 typically kicks in 20-30 minutes post-injection.

Why stack with GHRH? GHRH peptides like CJC-1295 initiate the pulse while GHRP-2 amplifies it. Together, significantly stronger than either alone.
Full Dosing GuideReconstitution CalculatorCycle Cost Calculator
Popular Stack Protocols1 stack

Commonly paired protocols from the peptide research community. Educational reference only.

Ipamorelin + GHRP-2

Maximum Growth Hormone Release
Ipamorelin
Dose
200 mcg
Vial Size
10 mg
Reconstitution
3 ml BAC water
GHRP-2
Dose
100–200 mcg
Vial Size
5 mg
Reconstitution
2.5 ml BAC water
Timing
AM and/or PM (empty stomach)
Frequency
5 days on, 2 days off
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Double GHRP stack for aggressive GH output. GHRP-2 is more potent but has more side effects (cortisol, prolactin, appetite). Ipamorelin is cleaner. Together they hit ghrelin receptors through slightly different binding profiles. For advanced users who want maximum GH secretion. Monitor appetite and cortisol.

Reconstitution Calculator

Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.

Open calculator

Storage & Handling

Storage at a glance

Proper storage temperatures, shelf life, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.

Powder: Freezer
1+ year at -20°C
Reconstituted: Fridge
4 weeks max at 2-8°C
View Complete Storage Guide

Handling specifics

Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.

Powder storage (very stable)
  • Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months
  • Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
Reconstituted storage (fragile)
  • MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
  • 4-week maximum shelf life
  • NEVER freeze after reconstitution
  • Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose
Molecular Structure

GHRP-2 sequence

Click any residue to see its properties.

HydrophobicPolarAcidic (−)Basic (+)Special

Sequence-derived properties

Length
5 residues
Molecular weight
687.8 Da
backbone only
Avg hydrophobicity
-0.68
Kyte–Doolittle scale

Residue classes

Hydrophobic: 3 (60%)Basic (+): 2 (40%)

Net charge distribution

Positive2 (40%)
Neutral3 (60%)
Negative0 (0%)

Amino acid frequency

A×1F×1H×1K×1W×1

Modifications

  • D-Ala at position 1
  • D-2-Nal at position 3
  • C-terminal amidation

Sequence and properties provided for educational reference. Not for clinical dosing decisions.

  • Length: 6 amino acids
    (Hexapeptide structure.)
  • Half-life: ~15-30 minutes
    (Short duration requires multiple daily doses.)
  • Receptor: GHS-R (ghrelin)
    (Same pathway as other GHRPs.)
  • Potency: High
    (One of the strongest GHRPs, stronger than Ipamorelin.)
Peptide sequence
D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂
Contains non-standard D-amino acids (D-Ala, D-2-Nal, D-Phe) that improve stability and receptor binding. The sequence is optimized for potent GH release.
Key takeaway: GHRP-2 is one of the most potent GHRPs, producing stronger GH release than Ipamorelin but with more side effects (cortisol/prolactin elevation, moderate hunger). Often chosen when maximum GH output is prioritized over selectivity. Commonly stacked with GHRH peptides.

FAQ

How does GHRP-2 compare to Ipamorelin?

GHRP-2 is more potent than Ipamorelin, producing stronger GH release. However, it's less selective — it increases cortisol and prolactin levels more, and causes moderate appetite increase. Choose GHRP-2 for maximum GH output; choose Ipamorelin for fewer side effects.

What are the main side effects of GHRP-2?

Common side effects include moderate hunger increase, water retention, tingling/numbness in extremities, and potential cortisol/prolactin elevation. Some users report vivid dreams. These effects are generally dose-dependent and more pronounced than with Ipamorelin.

Should GHRP-2 be stacked with other peptides?

Yes, GHRP-2 is commonly stacked with GHRH peptides like CJC-1295 for synergistic effects. The GHRH peptide increases the number of pituitary cells releasing GH, while GHRP-2 increases output per cell. This combination produces stronger results than either peptide alone.

What is the typical dosing frequency for GHRP-2?

Common research dosages range from 100-300 mcg per injection, typically administered 2-3 times daily before meals and/or at bedtime on a 5 days on, 2 days off schedule (8 weeks on, 8 weeks off). The bedtime dose takes advantage of natural GH release during sleep. Best taken on an empty stomach.

How long does reconstituted peptide last?

Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, peptides remain stable for up to 4 weeks when refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Unopened powder can last 1+ year in the freezer. Get our complete Storage & Travel Guide.

Is this peptide legal to purchase?

Peptides sold "for research purposes only" are legal to purchase in the US, but are not FDA-approved for human use outside of specific medical applications. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

New to peptides?

Take our Peptide Match tool to find the best peptide for your goals. You can also read our Complete Guide to Peptides to learn the basics.

Scientific Sources

The following peer-reviewed studies and official resources provide additional scientific context for this peptide:

GHRP-2 Research Articles

guides

GHRP-2 Dosage Chart: 100-300mcg Community Protocol

3 GHRP-2 protocols compared -- one timing strategy maximizes GH release. Covers saturation dose, injection windows, and GHRH stacking.

guides

Buy GHRP-2: Price, COA & Cost Per Week

Only 1 vetted GHRP-2 source right now: $19.95 a vial, $3.99/mg. Codes save up to 10%. COA status and real cost per week.

comparison

Ipamorelin vs GHRP-2 vs GHRP-6 Ranked

Ipamorelin is cleanest, GHRP-2 is strongest, GHRP-6 boosts appetite. Three GH peptides ranked by goal.

results

GHRP-2 Results: Week-by-Week Timeline

GH spikes hit within 30 minutes, but body composition takes 6-8 weeks. What to expect from GHRP-2 at each stage.

Compare GHRP-2 to alternatives

Side-by-side mechanism, dose, half-life, and vendor pricing.

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Disclosure: we may earn affiliate commission from qualifying purchases. Educational information only — not medical advice.