Synthetic growth hormone secretagogue; ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist; first-described growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide (His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys)
GHRP-6
Investigationalaka Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6, GHRP-6
GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide that helped establish the growth hormone secretagogue field after its description in the 1980s. It reliably releases growth hormone and strongly stimulates appetite via ghrelin-receptor activation, but it has never been approved for any therapeutic indication; human data come mainly from pharmacology and physiology studies.
Compare
Mechanism
In plain terms, GHRP-6 acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin, prompting the pituitary to release growth hormone and increasing appetite. Technically, it is a synthetic hexapeptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor); receptor activation on pituitary somatotrophs drives pulsatile growth hormone release, while central ghrelin-receptor signalling stimulates food intake. It can also cause modest increases in prolactin and cortisol.
Regulatory Status by Region
- United States (FDA)Not approved for any indication; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue with no marketed product.
- Australia (TGA)Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- European Union (EMA)No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU.
- WADAProhibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth hormone secretagogues including GHRP-6 are explicitly covered.
Key Studies
- On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone (original description of the growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide later known as GHRP-6) (opens in a new tab) (Bowers CY, Momany FA, Reynolds GA, Hong A. Endocrinology. 1984.)
Related Clinical Trials
- Eating Behavior, Nutritional Status and Appetite Hormones After Bariatric SurgeryN/A · Not Yet Recruiting
- Studying the Influence of LEAP2 on Integrated Endocrine Control of Eating During Semaglutide TreatmentPhase 1/Phase 2 · Recruiting
- Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Anti-HER2 Therapy in Nigerian Women With HER2+ Breast Cancer Before and After SurgeryPhase 2 · Recruiting
- Platelet Rich Plasma Injections In Young And Old Human SubjectsPhase 2 · Recruiting
- [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in Combination With Ribociclib and Fulvestrant in Participants With ER+, HER2- and GRPR+ Advanced Breast CancerPhase 1 · Active Not Recruiting
- Neo-DAB: Darolutamide and Abemaciclib in Prostate CancerPhase 1 · Completed
- Single-center Prospective Longitudinal Study of Taste in Patients With Cognitive Disorders at Different Stages of Severity (Isolated Cognitive Complaint, Minor or Major Neurocognitive Alzheimer-type Disorders) by Analysis of Gustatory Evoked PotentialsN/A · Recruiting
- Advanced Protein-based Program for Effective Treatment of Appetite Regulation and ObesityN/A · Completed
Common Questions
- What is GHRP-6?
- GHRP-6 is one of the first synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptides, stimulating growth hormone secretion through the ghrelin receptor. It is not an approved medicine anywhere and its human use is confined to research and early-phase studies. As a growth hormone secretagogue it is prohibited in sport by WADA at all times.
- Is GHRP-6 approved for medical use?
- GHRP-6 is investigational: it is being studied in clinical research and is not an approved medicine. United States (FDA): Not approved for any indication; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue with no marketed product. European Union (EMA): No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU. Australia (TGA): Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- How does GHRP-6 work?
- In plain terms, GHRP-6 acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin, prompting the pituitary to release growth hormone and increasing appetite. Technically, it is a synthetic hexapeptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor); receptor activation on pituitary somatotrophs drives pulsatile growth hormone release, while central ghrelin-receptor signalling stimulates food intake.
- Is GHRP-6 legal in Australia?
- GHRP-6 in Australia (TGA): Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- Is GHRP-6 banned in sport?
- GHRP-6 under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Prohibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth hormone secretagogues including GHRP-6 are explicitly covered.