Growth hormone peptides are not growth hormone. They are molecules meant to prompt the pituitary gland to release it. They fall into two groups: GHRH analogues, named after growth hormone releasing hormone (for example CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin), and secretagogues acting through the ghrelin receptor (for example ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin).
Only one peptide in this family is an approved medicine. Tesamorelin was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2010 for a narrow indication: reduction of excess abdominal fat in people with HIV and lipodystrophy. The rest are unapproved substances sold as research material.
All of them are banned in sport. This article explains the mechanism of both groups, what human research shows and what their legal status is. It is not a set of instructions for use.
The two groups of growth hormone peptides
| Group | Receptor targeted | Examples | Medicine status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHRH analogues | growth hormone releasing hormone receptor in the pituitary | CJC-1295, sermorelin, Mod GRF 1-29, tesamorelin | only tesamorelin approved, narrow indication |
| Ghrelin receptor secretagogues | ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) | ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin | none is an approved medicine |
How do GHRH analogues work: CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin?
A GHRH analogue stimulates the same pituitary receptor as the natural releasing hormone, which raises the output of growth hormone. Differences between individual analogues come down mostly to how long they act.
CJC-1295 is a synthetic GHRH analogue developed in the early 2000s. A modification that binds the molecule to blood proteins extends its action from minutes to several days. It comes in two variants: one has a half-life of roughly 6 to 8 days, the other acts briefly and is meant to mimic the natural pulses of growth hormone.
Tesamorelin is an analogue of the full GHRH molecule. It is the only peptide in this group approved as a medicine: the United States Food and Drug Administration cleared it on 10 November 2010 under the name Egrifta, for reduction of excess abdominal fat in people with HIV and lipodystrophy. In clinical trials tesamorelin did not change patients' overall body weight.
Sermorelin and Mod GRF 1-29 are shorter fragments of the GHRH molecule, with their own profiles and status.
How do ghrelin receptor secretagogues work: ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and hexarelin?
This group does not act on the GHRH receptor. It acts on the ghrelin receptor, designated GHSR-1a. That is the same receptor used by ghrelin, the hormone that drives appetite, which is why some of these peptides also increase hunger.
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide, a molecule of five amino acids. It is regarded as the most selective peptide in the group, because it stimulates growth hormone release without the rise in cortisol and prolactin that accompanies older compounds such as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. The differences within this group are mapped out in the article on GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and ipamorelin.
Why are GHRH analogues combined with ghrelin secretagogues?
The combination targets two different pituitary receptors at once. When both pathways fire together, the growth hormone pulse is larger than with a single compound.
That reasoning rests on studies of related pairings of a GHRH analogue with a secretagogue, not on a specific pair such as CJC-1295 with ipamorelin. As of April 2026, no randomised human trials had been published for that particular pair.
Are growth hormone peptides approved medicines?
Apart from tesamorelin, no. CJC-1295 was never approved for human use and retains the status of a drug in development. Neither CJC-1295 nor ipamorelin is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for any indication.
In our shop CJC-1295, ipamorelin, sermorelin and tesamorelin are available only as research material. The cart and the checkout are in English and prices are shown in euro.
Are growth hormone peptides allowed in sport?
They are not. The World Anti-Doping Agency places GHRH analogues and growth hormone secretagogues in category S2, prohibited at all times, in and out of competition. CJC-1295 is listed explicitly, in section S2.2.4, as a growth hormone releasing factor.
A sanction does not depend on intent. In the United States military, careers have ended after unknowing possession of a supplement containing CJC-1295. For anyone subject to anti-doping control, using these peptides carries a real risk of disqualification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a GHRH analogue and a GHRP?
A GHRH analogue such as CJC-1295 stimulates the growth hormone releasing hormone receptor. GHRPs and related secretagogues such as ipamorelin act through the ghrelin receptor. They are combined because stimulating both receptors at once produces a larger growth hormone pulse.
Which growth hormone peptide is a legal medicine?
Only tesamorelin, and only for a narrow indication: reduction of excess abdominal fat in people with HIV and lipodystrophy. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, sermorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and hexarelin are not approved medicines.
Can growth hormone peptides be used in sport?
They are not allowed. The whole group falls under category S2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency list and is prohibited at all times, including out of competition.
Why is ipamorelin called selective?
Because it stimulates growth hormone release without raising cortisol and prolactin, which sets it apart from the older compounds GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.
Do these peptides raise IGF-1?
Indirectly, through the growth hormone released by the pituitary. In a study of CJC-1295 in healthy adults, IGF-1 rose 1.5 to 3 times and stayed elevated for 9 to 11 days.
Where this information comes from
The description of the mechanism of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin and the absence of randomised trials for that pair come from material published by Superpower in April 2026. The approval date and indication for tesamorelin come from an article in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. The status of CJC-1295 on the World Anti-Doping Agency list (section S2.2.4), its history and the military example come from material published by BSCG in February 2026. All pages were checked on 31 August 2026. The IGF-1 figures come from Teichman SL and co-authors, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2006, PMID 16352683, read through Europe PMC on 7 September 2026.
Sources
- EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection). FDA-approved prescribing information, NDA 22-505, 2010. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/022505s000lbl.pdf
- WADA Prohibited List 2026, Polish translation, Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), class S2.2.4. https://antydoping.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026_Lista-zabroniona.pdf