Ipamorelin
Animal / preclinicalWADA prohibitedCommunity-reported ranges are anecdotal and not clinically validated. Evidence grade shown reflects the strength of available human data. Not a prescription. Legal status varies by country and changes over time; verify locally.
Overview
A selective growth-hormone secretagogue prized for its clean profile: it stimulates GH release with minimal effect on cortisol, prolactin or appetite, which is why it became a staple of GH-focused protocols. Formal outcome trials for physique and recovery goals haven't been run.
Mechanism
Stimulates pituitary growth-hormone release via the ghrelin receptor, with the selectivity (little cortisol/prolactin spillover) that distinguishes it from earlier GHRPs.
Evidence
The GH-releasing mechanism and selectivity are well characterised; physique and anti-ageing outcomes haven't been formally trialled.
Community-reported information
Community reports vary. Anecdotal and unvalidated; general information only.
General information only, not tailored to you and not a recommendation. Some regions withhold this entirely.
Half-life
~2 hours.
Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within weeks.
Commonly reported side effects
- Head-rush
- Water retention
- Injection-site reactions
Legal status by region
- USNot FDA-approved; removed from compounding permissibility lists.
- AUPrescription-only; import controlled.
Legal status changes over time; verify locally before relying on this.
Frequently asked questions
- Is ipamorelin banned in sport?
- Yes — growth-hormone secretagogues including ipamorelin are on the WADA prohibited list.
- Is ipamorelin approved or legal?
- It is not FDA-approved and has been removed from US compounding permissibility; in Australia it is prescription-only with import controls.
- Does ipamorelin build muscle?
- It reliably raises growth-hormone output, and community use for body composition is extensive. What's missing is a formal trial connecting that GH release to measured muscle gain, so the outcome evidence is mechanistic plus anecdotal.