Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that selectively stimulates growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary by acting as a ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. It is distinguished from older GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Hexarelin) by its high selectivity: Ipamorelin does not significantly affect cortisol, prolactin, or appetite at standard doses, making it the cleanest GHRP available. It produces acute GH pulses with a plasma half-life of approximately 2 hours. Ipamorelin is discussed in the context of GH axis optimization, body composition improvement, recovery enhancement, sleep support, and anti-aging protocols, most commonly paired with a GHRH analog (Tesamorelin or CJC-1295 no DAC) for synergistic dual-pathway GH release.
Quick Start
Route
SubQ injection
Start low
100 to 200 mcg SubQ
Frequency
Once daily fasted, morning or before bed, or 2-3 times daily in advanced protocols
Timing
Fasted. GH release is significantly blunted by food. Fast 2+ hours before injection.
Starting dose. 100 to 200 mcg — Per injection
The rule is FASTED, not the clock. Morning is the easiest window: wake fasted, inject, wait 30 to 45 minutes before eating. Before bed works equally well, at least 2 hours after your last meal. Neither is better than the other, so pick the one you will actually keep to. On a GLP-1, which slows gastric emptying, extend the bedtime gap to about 3 hours.
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Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.
Tiered Protocols · lowest first
Conservative start
100 to 200 mcg per injection · SubQ injection · Once daily fasted, morning or before bed, or 2-3 times daily in advanced protocols
conservative starter
100 to 200 mcg per injection
Once daily fasted, morning or before bed, or 2-3 times daily in advanced protocols
Standard
Anti-Aging / Sleep
200-300 mcg · SubQ · Daily
animal study · Raun et al. 1998 (Eur J Endocrinol)
Most selective GHRP - no appetite, cortisol, or prolactin rise. Run on an empty stomach; food/insulin blunts the pulse. Commonly paired with a GHRH like CJC-1295 (no DAC). Human trials exist but do not support this use. Two Phase 2 trials (NCT00672074, 117 patients; NCT01280344, 320 patients) tested ipamorelin for bowel recovery after surgery, given intravenously at roughly ten times this dose. The larger trial missed its endpoint and development was discontinued. No human trial has tested 200 mcg subcutaneous for sleep or anti-aging.
200-300 mcg
Daily
Intermediate
Athletic Recovery (Split)
200-300 mcg per dose · SubQ · 2x Daily
anecdotal · community
Twice-daily dosing raises total daily GH output for recomposition. Both doses fasted (2h before, ~30 min after).
200-300 mcg per dose
2x Daily
Reconstitution CalculatorU-100
050100u
Draw to
— units
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01
How it works
Ipamorelin binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), also known as the ghrelin receptor, on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary. This triggers GH release through a pathway distinct from GHRH receptor activation. Ipamorelin amplifies GH pulse frequency while GHRH analogs amplify pulse amplitude, which is why the combination produces 3-5x greater total GH output than either alone. The selectivity of Ipamorelin comes from its minimal activation of other pituitary hormone pathways: unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, it does not significantly stimulate ACTH (and therefore cortisol), prolactin, or appetite. GH release from Ipamorelin is still modulated by somatostatin, meaning the body's natural feedback mechanisms remain intact.
02
What to expect
Early
Days 1–7
Days 1-7: Improved sleep quality is typically the first effect. Transient flushing or warmth after injection is normal. Some users notice increased appetite. No significant body composition changes expected yet.
Mid
Weeks 2–4
Weeks 2-6: Recovery improvements become noticeable. Sleep quality consistently better. Skin begins to look more hydrated. Body composition changes starting if paired with proper diet and training. Lab work should show elevated GH and IGF-1.
Later
Weeks 4–12
Weeks 6-16: Significant body composition improvements when combined with GHRH analog. Fat loss, lean mass preservation, improved recovery. Collagen synthesis benefits become apparent (skin, joints). Monitor IGF-1 levels periodically.
03
Evidence
HumanPresent
AnimalPresent
In-vitroPresent
Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was
confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of
them to read the source.
Evidence boundary from the checked abstract: We conclude that treatment of adult female rats with the GHSs ipamorelin and GHRP-6 increases BMC as measured by DXA in vivo.
We conclude that treatment of adult female rats with the GHSs ipamorelin and GHRP-6 increases BMC as measured by DXA in vivo.
Evidence scope. This entry supports only the exact statement quoted from the live abstract; it does not independently verify OnePin's displayed dose, route, frequency, formulation, population, or broader mechanism.
Claims we could not support
No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the
same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.
Dose/route: 100 to 200 mcg per injection; SubQ injection; Once daily fasted, morning or before bed, or 2-3 times daily in advanced protocols. No checked live PubMed abstract verified this exact displayed dose, route, and frequency for the same molecule/formulation and relevant population.
Primary safety claim: No primary safety text present in source JSON. No checked live PubMed abstract directly verified this source-JSON safety claim at the displayed formulation, route, and regimen.
04
The honest take
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Selective GH release
Supported
Confirmed by human PK/PD studies. Ipamorelin does not significantly affect cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH at standard doses. This is its primary advantage over GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.
Post-surgical recovery
Human clinical trials showed accelerated recovery of bowel function post-surgery. One of the few human clinical data points for any GHRP.
Anti-aging
GH axis optimization is a cornerstone of anti-aging medicine. Effects on sleep, body composition, skin, and recovery support this application. Not a validated anti-aging treatment by itself.
05
Interactions & stacking
Two different questions: what is documented about running these together, and what is documented about drawing them into the same syringe. A good pharmacological partner can still have to be pinned separately.
Documented together
AOD-9604Ipa GH release + AOD direct lipolysis. Complementary body composition.
ARA-290Non-overlapping mechanisms
GHKGH release + tissue remodeling
SS-31GH optimization + mitochondrial support
Keep separate
CJC-1295 with DACPharmacologically synergistic but SYRINGE INCOMPATIBLE. DAC maleimide group reacts with thiols. Pin CJC-DAC in a separate syringe. Ipa + VIP can share a syringe during CJC-DAC phase.
Check any specific pair in the Stack & Interaction Checker, which answers both questions separately. Absence of a documented conflict is not evidence of safety.
06
Side effects & safety
Commonly reported
Transient flushing or warmth at injection site (normal, resolves in minutes)
Mild water retention (typically first 1-2 weeks)
Increased appetite in some users (much less than GHRP-2/6)
Occasional headache
Less common & notes
Joint pain or stiffness from elevated GH/IGF-1 (dose-dependent, resolves with dose reduction).
Numbness or tingling in extremities (carpal tunnel-like, from fluid retention).
Very rare reports of dizziness.
Monitor fasting glucose as GH elevation can affect insulin sensitivity.
Contraindicated in active malignancy due to IGF-1 elevation.
07
Pharmacokinetics
Illustrative plasma concentration · 9 h
Half-life
2h
Peak · Tmax
0.67h
Elimination
10h
Bioavailability
~100%
SubQ
Duration of action
GH pulse 1-3 hours
Clearance
Enzymatic degradation and renal
Storage. Store unreconstituted vials frozen (-20C) or refrigerated (2-8C). After reconstitution with BAC water, refrigerate at 2-8C. Stable for 28 days. Commonly sold pre-mixed with CJC-1295 no DAC, which has a shorter shelf life (14-21 days) that becomes the limiting factor for the blend. Protect from light. Do not freeze after reconstitution.
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Regulatory status
Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved for any indication. It is classified as a research peptide. WADA prohibits Ipamorelin under S2 Growth Hormone Secretagogues. Available through research chemical and compounding channels. Regulatory status should be verified against current governing body rules before use.
Put it to work
Calculate, log & track
Open Ipamorelin straight into OnePin with your vial and dose pre-filled, then let it handle the syringe math and remind you before the vial runs out.