GHRP-6 Dosage

It's important to note right off the bat that GHRP-6 doses are typically (and ideally) stacked with GHRH analog doses, such as Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC), due to the synergy and compatibility of the two as mentioned earlier in this profile.

In other words, the proper GHRP-6 dose does not depend on whether or not it is used in conjunction with GHRH.

For example, if the effective GHRP-6 dose is 100 mcg, then users should administer 100 mcg of GHRP-6 whether they are using it alone or in combination with Mod GRF 1-29.

When discussing peptides, you may hear the term/phrase “saturation dose” a lot.

The saturation dose is defined as the dose that completely (or nearly completely) saturates the target receptor of a peptide.

In the case of GHRP-6, this refers to ghrelin receptors located in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.

After reviewing many studies, it was determined that the saturation GHRP-6 dose is 1 mcg per kilogram of body weight, with the average dose being around 100 mcg, which is independent of body weight [1] [2] [3] [4].

This means that a 100 mcg saturation dose of GHRP-6 will fully saturate the receptor, 200 mcg will only provide 50% additional effect, 300 mcg will only provide 25% additional effect, and so on.

Due to the nature of these peptides, this phenomenon is seen with almost all GHRP and GHRH analogs.

One of the common concerns with GHRP-6 doses (or any ghrelin mimetic/GHRP dose) is the fact that it has been shown to induce the release of cortisol and prolactin.

While many studies have indeed demonstrated this [5], it has also been shown that prolactin and cortisol increases in most subjects were unchanged at GHRP-6 doses of 100 mcg or less [6] [7].

Increased GHRP-6 doses above 100 mcg result in increased cortisol and prolactin secretion, but to a lesser extent.

As the dose increases further, it is not surprising that cortisol and prolactin secretion also increases.

The dose of GHRP-6 is measured in mcg (micrograms), while the common unit of measurement for most other performance enhancing drugs is mg (milligrams), so it's very important to note this difference.

Synthetic human growth hormone (HGH) is measured in iu (international units).

Medical GHRP-6 Dosage

GHRP-6 is not currently approved for medical use and is still in the clinical trial phase.

Therefore, there is currently no officially determined medical prescription dosage.

GHRP-6 Dosage for Athletic Performance and Physique Enhancement

Due to the unique nature of the substance and hormone, it is difficult, if not impossible, to categorize GHRP-6 doses into the usual three tiers (beginner, intermediate, advanced).

A saturating dose of GHRP-6 should induce a significant increase in HGH levels in the body in a manner that is adequate enough to ensure all of the performance and physique enhancement goals desired by the individual.

The difference between some goals being more attainable than others is the frequency of administration.

GHRP-6 has a variable half-life of about 15 to 60 minutes after injection, stimulating a large pulse of HGH in the pituitary gland that lasts for several hours but is most intense and peaks in about 30 minutes.

Therefore, to simulate higher and more stable plasma levels of HGH, GHRP-6 doses should be administered multiple times daily depending on the user's goals.

Therefore, a general guideline for athletic performance and physique enhancement is to administer 100 mcg three times a day.

Due to the short half-life of GHRP-6 and the pulsatile nature of HGH release, it is important to space each injection evenly throughout the day to achieve significant levels of HGH.

For greater results, including more pronounced muscle gain and fat loss, you will need to inject more frequently than the three times a day protocol.

More details regarding specific dosing timing will be discussed shortly.

GHRP-6 can be administered subcutaneously (SQ) or intramuscularly (IM).

There is not much difference between the two, and intramuscular administration appears to result in a slightly faster release from the injection site.

However, most individuals prefer subcutaneous administration for a variety of reasons.

It is important to understand that while GHRP-6 administered alone will release a significant amount of HGH from the pituitary gland, it does not reach the potential HGH release effect that occurs when GHRP-6 is combined with a GHRH such as Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC).

Research has demonstrated that combining GHRP-6 with a GHRH analog like Mod GRF 1-29 increases HGH production by 77% compared to GHRP-6 alone [8].

Other studies have explicitly stated that GHRP-6 is necessary to stimulate maximal HGH stimulation, as evidenced by the fact that the inclusion of GHRH in subjects further increased HGH production by 81-95% [9].

To summarize the synergistic effect of the two in general terms, GHRH analogs (e.g. Mod GRF 1-29) are responsible for initiating and delivering the pulse of HGH from the pituitary gland, while GHRPs (e.g. GHRP-6) are responsible for amplifying this pulse.

GHRP-6 Dosage for Women

GHRP-6 is not a gender-specific hormone, meaning it does not have androgenic effects that can cause problems.

Therefore, the GHRP-6 dosage for women is the same for all individuals regardless of gender.

Proper dosage and timing of GHRP-6 administration

GHRP-6 is typically always manufactured as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in vials of 5 mg.

Some companies may manufacture more or less than 5mg per vial, but 5mg/vial is generally the standard.

To inject the lyophilized powder in the vial, it must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.

After reconstitution, the solution should be refrigerated.

Leaving it in a hot environment or at room temperature for an extended period of time will break down the protein structure and make it less effective.

For reconstitution, users typically gently mix 3 ml of bacteriostatic water with the powder.

However, users can, and in fact often do, reconstitute the powder with less (or more) water to obtain different concentrations of GHRP-6.

For example, reconstituting 5 mg of powder with 3 ml of water yields a GHRP-6 dose of 166 mcg per 0.1 ml (or 10iu in an insulin syringe).

As with other GHRPs or GHRH, GHRP-6 administration should occur within 2 hours of the last meal containing carbohydrates or fats and within 30 minutes of the next carbohydrate or fat intake.

As demonstrated in the studies mentioned in the introduction to this profile, HGH release is significantly slowed (but not eliminated) when fats and carbohydrates are consumed.

HGH pulses typically peak about 30 minutes after injection, after which time it is okay to consume a meal containing carbohydrates and fats.

As mentioned earlier, due to the pulsatile nature of HGH release, multiple GHRP-6 doses are required throughout the day, and these are typically administered at an average of three evenly spaced doses per day.

For greater effects on physique and athletic performance, more doses can be administered, but it is recommended that a gap of approximately 3 hours be left between each injection to allow the pituitary gland to restore its stores of HGH.

The most common protocol is as follows

- 100 mcg immediately after waking up

- 100 mcg immediately after finishing your workout

- 100 mcg just before going to bed

As we explained earlier, some people administer GHRP-6 twice a day and some people administer it three or more times a day.

Dosing at least 100 mcg twice a day (typically upon waking and before bed) will provide anti-aging and general health benefits.

Taking it three times a day provides general health benefits, fat loss, and muscle gain.

Taking it 4 or more times a day will produce more pronounced muscle gains and fat loss.

Finally, studies have shown that GHRP-6, when administered alone, stimulates the release of 40 ng/ml of HGH in subjects [10].

In the same study, when combined with GHRH (e.g. Mod GRF 1-29), the resulting HGH release was found to be 130 ng/ml.

Expectations and Results from GHRP-6 Administration

The results and expectations of human growth hormone secretagogues like GHRP-6 are all the same as those provided by other forms of human growth hormone.

These include fat loss, muscle mass gain, strength gains, joint and connective tissue healing and repair, and numerous other benefits and changes.

One important thing to note is that the effects of any HGH application, whether it's endogenous release via GHRH or synthetic HGH administration, occur steadily over a long period of time.

While you shouldn't expect to see dramatic results in a few weeks, months of consistent use with proper nutrition and training can result in dramatic performance and physique changes.

For more information on the specific effects and expectations of HGH, see the Human Growth Hormone profile.

GHRP-6 References

[1] Blockade of growth hormone (GH) receptors unmasks rapid GH-releasing peptide-6-mediated tissue-specific insulin resistance. Peñalva A, Carballo A, Pombo M, Casanueva FF, Dieguez C. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Jan;76(1):168-71.

[2] Blocked growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP-6)-induced GH secretion and absence of synergistic action of GHRP-6 and GH-releasing hormone in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection: evidence that GHRP-6 major action is exerted at the hypothalamic level. V Popovic, S Damjanovic, D Michić, M Jurjovic, C Díguez, F Casanueva. JCEM 1995 80: 942-7; doi:10.1210/jc.80.3.942.

[3] Growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing peptide-6 in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with exaggerated growth hormone secretion. Pablo F. Catalina, Federico Malo, M. Amelia Andrade, Ricardo V. García-Mayor, Carlos Díaz. JCEM 1998 83: 3663-3667; doi:10.1210/jc.83.10.3663.

[4] Massive growth hormone (GH) secretion in obese subjects after co-administration of GH-releasing hormone and GHRP-6: evidence for a marked somatotrophic secretory capacity in obesity. F Cordido, A Penalba, C Diez, F Casanueva. JCEM 1993 76: 819-23; doi:10.1210/jc.76.4.819.

[5] Pathophysiology of neuromodulation of growth hormone secretion in experimental animals and humans. Giustina A, Veldhuis JD. 1998 Endocr Rev. 19:717-797.

[6] Human fetal pituitary expresses a functional growth hormone-releasing peptide receptor. Ilan Simon, Xinmin Yan, Shlomo Melmed. JCEM 1998 83: 174-178; doi:10.1210/jc.83.1.174.

Vera Popovic, Sandra Pekic, Ivana Golubic, Mira Doknik, Carlos Díguez, Felipe Casanueva, [7] Effect of cranial irradiation on GH responsiveness to GHRH and GH-releasing peptide-6. JCEM 2002 87: 2095-2099; doi:10.1210/jc.87.5.2095.

[8] Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), atropine, pyridostigmine, or hypoglycemia on GH secretion induced by GHRP-6 in humans. Peñalva A, Carballo A, Pombo M, Casanueva FF, Dieguez C. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Jan;76(1):168-71.

[9] Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide-6 requires endogenous hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone for maximal GH stimulation. Nausira Pandya, Roberta DeMott-Freiberg, Cyril Y. Bowers, Ariel L. Barkan, Craig A. Jeff. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism April 1 1998 Volume 83 Issue 4 1186-1189.

[10] Suppression of growth hormone release after co-administration of GHRH and GHRP-6 in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Real-Cero A, Fumar A, García-García E, Diguez C, Casanueva FF. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1994 Nov;41(5):649-54.