Sermorelin
A growth hormone-releasing peptide for sleep, fat loss, and recovery. Sermorelin is the native GHRH(1-29) fragment — the first 29 amino acids of natural growth hormone-releasing hormone. It stimulates the pituitary gland to produce GH in a physiological, pulsatile pattern. The longest-studied GHRH analog with an established clinical track record.
Compare Prices🧬Key Characteristics
- Length: 29 amino acids(The bioactive N-terminal fragment of full 44-AA GHRH.)
- Half-life: ~10–20 minutes(Very short; mimics natural pulsatile GH release.)
- Mechanism: GHRHR agonist(Binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs.)
- Regulation: Somatostatin feedback(Natural negative feedback makes overdose difficult.)
Overview
Core Benefits
Key AdvantagesThese are educational summaries of commonly discussed effects in wellness/regenerative contexts, not guarantees.
Sermorelin Results Timeline
ProgressionTimeline is illustrative and non-guaranteed. Outcomes vary and are commonly discussed alongside training, nutrition, sleep, and cycling practices.
How It Works
GHRH Analog (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone)Sequence → Stability → GH Pattern → Outcomes
GHRH Receptor on Pituitary Somatotrophs
Sermorelin binds the same GHRH receptor as CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin. It is the native, unmodified GHRH(1-29) fragment — the exact molecule your hypothalamus produces to trigger growth hormone release.
cAMP → PKA Cascade → GH Vesicle Release
Identical signaling cascade to all GHRH analogs: cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosis. The key difference is duration — Sermorelin's unmodified structure means enzymes break it down within 10-20 minutes, producing a brief but physiologically natural GH pulse.
Brief GH Pulse → Circadian-Aligned Recovery
The short pulse closely mimics your body's own GHRH signaling. GH travels to the liver to produce IGF-1, supporting tissue repair, fat metabolism, and protein synthesis. The brief exposure means less sustained IGF-1 elevation compared to longer-acting analogs.
Sleep Quality → Gradual Recovery Benefits
As the most "natural" GHRH option, effects tend to be gentle and gradual. Improved sleep depth is typically the first benefit. Recovery, body composition, and vitality improvements follow over months. Often chosen as a starting point for those new to GH peptides.
What Makes This Peptide Different
Sermorelin is the original, unmodified GHRH(1-29) fragment — the parent molecule from which CJC-1295 was derived. It was FDA-approved (as Geref) for diagnosing and treating GH deficiency. Its very short half-life (~10-20 min) means the GH pulse is brief and highly physiological, but it also means reliability of signaling depends heavily on injection timing and peptide integrity.
Sequence → Why It Matters
Sermorelin is the first 29 amino acids of native human GHRH with no modifications:
So what? Sermorelin's lack of modifications makes it the most "natural" option but also the least stable. CJC-1295's 4 substitutions specifically address each weakness — protease cleavage, chemical rearrangement, binding strength, and oxidation — while keeping the same pulsatile release pattern.
GHRH Peptide Comparison
| Peptide | Half-Life | GH Pattern | What's Unique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sermorelin | ~10-20 min | Short, natural pulse | Native GHRH(1-29) — no modifications, most physiological |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | ~30 min | Broader natural pulse | 4 substitutions for stability — more reliable signaling |
| Tesamorelin | ~26-38 min | Reliable, broader pulse | Full 44-AA + hexenoic acid — FDA-approved for visceral fat |
| CJC-1295 (DAC) | 6-8 days | Sustained elevation | Albumin binding — weekly dosing, non-pulsatile |
Dosing Protocol
Growth HormoneEducational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.
Popular Stack Protocols
1 stackCommonly paired protocols from the peptide research community. Educational reference only.
🧬 Sermorelin + Ipamorelin
Growth Hormone / Anti-AgingWhy This Dosing Protocol
Why before bed? Amplifies the natural nighttime GH pulse. Sermorelin's short half-life means timing is critical — injecting at bedtime aligns the brief signal with your body's largest natural GH window.
Why empty stomach? Insulin blunts GH release. Fast for 2+ hours before injection to ensure the signaling window isn't wasted.
Why 5 days on / 2 days off? Prevents GHRH receptor desensitization and maintains response quality over extended protocols.
Diagrams
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Sermorelin Pricing
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Reconstitution calculator
Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.
Open calculatorEducational Videos
Sermorelin
Sermorelin Tutorial
Sermorelin Protocols
How to Reconstitute Peptides
Handling
Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.
- Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year ✓
- Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months ✓
- Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
- MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
- 4-week maximum shelf life
- NEVER freeze after reconstitution
- Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose
Storage & Handling Guide
Learn proper storage temperatures, shelf life timelines, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.
FAQ
What are the most common side effects?
Most peptides cause mild injection site reactions, temporary water retention, and possible joint discomfort. Sermorelin has minimal impact on cortisol and prolactin levels and maintains natural pulsatile GH release patterns.
How does Sermorelin differ from synthetic HGH?
Unlike synthetic HGH which directly provides growth hormone, Sermorelin stimulates your pituitary gland to produce and release its own GH naturally. This preserves the body's normal pulsatile release pattern and feedback mechanisms, potentially reducing side effects associated with direct GH administration.
Why does Sermorelin have such a short half-life?
Sermorelin's 10-20 minute half-life mirrors natural GHRH, allowing for pulsatile GH release that mimics physiological patterns. This short duration means it works with your body's natural rhythms rather than causing sustained, unnatural GH elevation. Modified versions extend this: CJC-1295 (no DAC) has a ~30 minute half-life, while CJC-1295 with DAC lasts 6-8 days due to albumin binding.
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide consisting of the first 29 amino acids of natural GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone). It's the shortest fragment that retains full biological activity. It was FDA-approved in the 1990s for diagnosing and treating GH deficiency in children, giving it more clinical data than most peptides.
What is the typical Sermorelin dosage?
Common research dosages range from 200-300 mcg per injection, typically administered once daily before bed on a 5 days on, 2 days off schedule. It's often combined with a GHRP like Ipamorelin for enhanced effects.
What benefits does Sermorelin provide?
By stimulating natural GH production, Sermorelin may support improved sleep quality, fat loss, lean muscle development, faster recovery, enhanced skin elasticity, and general anti-aging effects. Many users report improved sleep as one of the first noticeable benefits.
Is Sermorelin FDA approved?
Yes, Sermorelin (as Geref) was FDA-approved in 1997 for diagnosing and treating growth hormone deficiency in children. This gives it more regulatory history and clinical data than most peptides. It was later discontinued commercially but remains available through compounding pharmacies.
How does Sermorelin compare to CJC-1295?
Both are GHRH analogs that stimulate natural GH release. Sermorelin has a shorter half-life (10-20 min vs 30 min for CJC-1295) and is the original, FDA-approved version. CJC-1295 was modified for improved stability and slightly longer duration. Many consider them interchangeable for practical purposes.
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.
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Scientific Sources
The following peer-reviewed studies and official resources provide additional scientific context for this peptide:
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