Growth-Hormone Releasing Peptide

GHRP-6

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Overview

One of the original GHRPs; raises GH but also strongly stimulates appetite; not an approved therapy.

How it works

GHRP-6 was one of the first growth-hormone-releasing peptides. It activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate GH release.

Because it works through the ghrelin pathway it does two things at once: it releases growth hormone and it strongly stimulates appetite. Compared with the more selective ipamorelin, it also tends to involve more cortisol and prolactin.

It's an injectable research peptide that was never approved as a therapy; its notable, sometimes unwanted, hallmark is the pronounced hunger it produces.

Mechanism · Detailed Analysis

Molecular targetA first-generation GHS-R1a agonist.

Signaling & downstream effectsReleases GH and strongly stimulates appetite via the ghrelin pathway, with more cortisol/prolactin involvement than ipamorelin.

CaveatsNot approved.

Published EvidenceFree · cited live from PubMed

Human Data 309

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides

Ghigo E et al. · European journal of endocrinology · 1997 — PMID 9186261 ↗

Review

Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide-6 (GHRP-6) test in the diagnosis of GH-deficiency

Pombo M et al. · Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM · 1996 — PMID 8887178 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)

Bowers CY · Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS · 1998 — PMID 9893708 ↗

Study

Growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) hydrogel for acute kidney injury therapy via metabolic regulation

Zhao X et al. · Journal of nanobiotechnology · 2025 — PMID 41327290 ↗

Review

Growth hormone in obesity

Scacchi M et al. · International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 1999 — PMID 10193871 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs

Camanni F et al. · Frontiers in neuroendocrinology · 1998 — PMID 9465289 ↗

Study

In-house standards derived from doping peptides: Enzymatic and serum stability and degradation profile of GHRP and GHRH-related peptides

González-López NM et al. · Biomedical chromatography : BMC · 2023 — PMID 37688464 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

Argente J et al. · Hormone research · 1996 — PMID 8950613 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Inhibition of ghrelin activity by the receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 enhances hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis in a growing pig model

Zhang H et al. · Peptides · 2023 — PMID 37301480 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GHRP-6 induces CREB phosphorylation and growth hormone secretion via a protein kinase Csigma-dependent pathway in GH3 cells

Tian C et al. · Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences = Hua zhong ke ji da xue xue bao. Yi xue Ying De wen ban = Huazhong keji daxue xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen ban · 2010 — PMID 20407870 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Cibrián D et al. · Clinical science (London, England : 1979) · 2006 — PMID 16417467 ↗

Review

Physiology of ghrelin and related peptides

Anderson LL et al. · Domestic animal endocrinology · 2005 — PMID 15927771 ↗

See all 309 on PubMed →

Animal 417

Study

Calorie restriction activates a gastric Notch-FOXO1 pathway to expand ghrelin cells

McKimpson WM et al. · The Journal of cell biology · 2024 — PMID 38958606 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

[D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 exhibits pro-autophagic effects on skeletal muscle

Yu AP et al. · Molecular and cellular endocrinology · 2015 — PMID 25450862 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Atheroprotective and atheroregressive potential of azapeptide derivatives of GHRP-6 as selective CD36 ligands in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Frégeau G et al. · Atherosclerosis · 2020 — PMID 32721647 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GH responses to GHRH and GHRP-6 in Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats

Diz Chaves Y et al. · Life sciences · 2003 — PMID 14572879 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Impact of [d-Lys(3)]-GHRP-6 and feeding status on hypothalamic ghrelin-induced stress activation

Brockway ET et al. · Peptides · 2016 — PMID 27020248 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Rico M et al. · Journal of physiology and biochemistry · 1999 — PMID 10494658 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 functions independently of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in calorie-restricted mice

Islam MN et al. · Peptides · 2022 — PMID 35151767 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Drott CJ et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2019 — PMID 31063397 ↗

In Vitro 151

Comparative Study

Comparison of the gastroprokinetic effects of ghrelin, GHRP-6 and motilin in rats in vivo and in vitro

Depoortere I et al. · European journal of pharmacology · 2005 — PMID 15890336 ↗

Study

Ghrelin antagonist D-Lys3-GHRP-6 counteract ghrelin effects in bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes matured in vitro

Carranza-Martín AC et al. · Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene · 2021 — PMID 34173284 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Rico M et al. · Journal of physiology and biochemistry · 1999 — PMID 10494658 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Cibrián D et al. · Clinical science (London, England : 1979) · 2006 — PMID 16417467 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Ghrelin directly regulates bone formation

Fukushima N et al. · Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · 2005 — PMID 15824852 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

Argente J et al. · Hormone research · 1996 — PMID 8950613 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

In vitro and in vivo effect of acylated and unacylated ghrelin on neonatal glucose homeostasis

Ni H et al. · Pediatric research · 2010 — PMID 20496472 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Drott CJ et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2019 —

Studies are surfaced live from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed). biohackr indexes and links the published record; it does not host or alter source articles.

Published EvidenceLoading cited studies from PubMed…

Human Data ···

Searching the published record…

Animal ···

Searching the published record…

In Vitro ···

Searching the published record…

Educational aggregation of public literature. Not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds here are not approved for human use. Consult a licensed clinician.

Published EvidenceFree · cited live from PubMed

Human Data 309

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides

Ghigo E et al. · European journal of endocrinology · 1997 — PMID 9186261 ↗

Review

Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide-6 (GHRP-6) test in the diagnosis of GH-deficiency

Pombo M et al. · Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM · 1996 — PMID 8887178 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)

Bowers CY · Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS · 1998 — PMID 9893708 ↗

Study

Growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) hydrogel for acute kidney injury therapy via metabolic regulation

Zhao X et al. · Journal of nanobiotechnology · 2025 — PMID 41327290 ↗

Review

Growth hormone in obesity

Scacchi M et al. · International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 1999 — PMID 10193871 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs

Camanni F et al. · Frontiers in neuroendocrinology · 1998 — PMID 9465289 ↗

Study

In-house standards derived from doping peptides: Enzymatic and serum stability and degradation profile of GHRP and GHRH-related peptides

González-López NM et al. · Biomedical chromatography : BMC · 2023 — PMID 37688464 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

Argente J et al. · Hormone research · 1996 — PMID 8950613 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Inhibition of ghrelin activity by the receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 enhances hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis in a growing pig model

Zhang H et al. · Peptides · 2023 — PMID 37301480 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GHRP-6 induces CREB phosphorylation and growth hormone secretion via a protein kinase Csigma-dependent pathway in GH3 cells

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Cibrián D et al. · Clinical science (London, England : 1979) · 2006 — PMID 16417467 ↗

Review

Physiology of ghrelin and related peptides

Anderson LL et al. · Domestic animal endocrinology · 2005 — PMID 15927771 ↗

See all 309 on PubMed →

Animal 417

Study

Calorie restriction activates a gastric Notch-FOXO1 pathway to expand ghrelin cells

McKimpson WM et al. · The Journal of cell biology · 2024 — PMID 38958606 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

[D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 exhibits pro-autophagic effects on skeletal muscle

Yu AP et al. · Molecular and cellular endocrinology · 2015 — PMID 25450862 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Atheroprotective and atheroregressive potential of azapeptide derivatives of GHRP-6 as selective CD36 ligands in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Frégeau G et al. · Atherosclerosis · 2020 — PMID 32721647 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GH responses to GHRH and GHRP-6 in Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats

Diz Chaves Y et al. · Life sciences · 2003 — PMID 14572879 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Impact of [d-Lys(3)]-GHRP-6 and feeding status on hypothalamic ghrelin-induced stress activation

Brockway ET et al. · Peptides · 2016 — PMID 27020248 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Rico M et al. · Journal of physiology and biochemistry · 1999 — PMID 10494658 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 functions independently of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in calorie-restricted mice

Islam MN et al. · Peptides · 2022 — PMID 35151767 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Drott CJ et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2019 — PMID 31063397 ↗

In Vitro 151

Comparative Study

Comparison of the gastroprokinetic effects of ghrelin, GHRP-6 and motilin in rats in vivo and in vitro

Depoortere I et al. · European journal of pharmacology · 2005 — PMID 15890336 ↗

Study

Ghrelin antagonist D-Lys3-GHRP-6 counteract ghrelin effects in bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes matured in vitro

Carranza-Martín AC et al. · Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene · 2021 — PMID 34173284 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Rico M et al. · Journal of physiology and biochemistry · 1999 — PMID 10494658 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Cibrián D et al. · Clinical science (London, England : 1979) · 2006 — PMID 16417467 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Ghrelin directly regulates bone formation

Fukushima N et al. · Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · 2005 — PMID 15824852 ↗

Review

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

Argente J et al. · Hormone research · 1996 — PMID 8950613 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

In vitro and in vivo effect of acylated and unacylated ghrelin on neonatal glucose homeostasis

Ni H et al. · Pediatric research · 2010 — PMID 20496472 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Drott CJ et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2019 —

Studies are surfaced live from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed). biohackr indexes and links the published record; it does not host or alter source articles.

GHRP-6

Growth hormone-releasing peptides

Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide-6 (GHRP-6) test in the diagnosis of GH-deficiency

Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)

Growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) hydrogel for acute kidney injury therapy via metabolic regulation

Growth hormone in obesity

Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs

In-house standards derived from doping peptides: Enzymatic and serum stability and degradation profile of GHRP and GHRH-related peptides

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

Inhibition of ghrelin activity by the receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 enhances hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis in a growing pig model

GHRP-6 induces CREB phosphorylation and growth hormone secretion via a protein kinase Csigma-dependent pathway in GH3 cells

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Physiology of ghrelin and related peptides

Calorie restriction activates a gastric Notch-FOXO1 pathway to expand ghrelin cells

[D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 exhibits pro-autophagic effects on skeletal muscle

Atheroprotective and atheroregressive potential of azapeptide derivatives of GHRP-6 as selective CD36 ligands in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

GH responses to GHRH and GHRP-6 in Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats

Impact of [d-Lys(3)]-GHRP-6 and feeding status on hypothalamic ghrelin-induced stress activation

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 functions independently of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in calorie-restricted mice

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Comparison of the gastroprokinetic effects of ghrelin, GHRP-6 and motilin in rats in vivo and in vitro

Ghrelin antagonist D-Lys3-GHRP-6 counteract ghrelin effects in bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes matured in vitro

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Ghrelin directly regulates bone formation

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

In vitro and in vivo effect of acylated and unacylated ghrelin on neonatal glucose homeostasis

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Growth hormone-releasing peptides

Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide-6 (GHRP-6) test in the diagnosis of GH-deficiency

Growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)

Growth hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP-6) hydrogel for acute kidney injury therapy via metabolic regulation

Growth hormone in obesity

Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs

In-house standards derived from doping peptides: Enzymatic and serum stability and degradation profile of GHRP and GHRH-related peptides

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

Inhibition of ghrelin activity by the receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 enhances hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis in a growing pig model

GHRP-6 induces CREB phosphorylation and growth hormone secretion via a protein kinase Csigma-dependent pathway in GH3 cells

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Physiology of ghrelin and related peptides

Calorie restriction activates a gastric Notch-FOXO1 pathway to expand ghrelin cells

[D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 exhibits pro-autophagic effects on skeletal muscle

Atheroprotective and atheroregressive potential of azapeptide derivatives of GHRP-6 as selective CD36 ligands in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

GH responses to GHRH and GHRP-6 in Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats

Impact of [d-Lys(3)]-GHRP-6 and feeding status on hypothalamic ghrelin-induced stress activation

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 functions independently of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in calorie-restricted mice

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Comparison of the gastroprokinetic effects of ghrelin, GHRP-6 and motilin in rats in vivo and in vitro

Ghrelin antagonist D-Lys3-GHRP-6 counteract ghrelin effects in bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes matured in vitro

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Use of growth-hormone-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) for the prevention of multiple organ failure

Ghrelin directly regulates bone formation

Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects

In vitro and in vivo effect of acylated and unacylated ghrelin on neonatal glucose homeostasis

Ghrelin in rat pancreatic islets decreases islet blood flow

Meranzin Hydrate Improves Depression-Like Behaviors and Hypomotility via Ghrelin and Neurocircuitry

GHRP-6 mimics ghrelin-induced stimulation of food intake and suppression of locomotor activity in goldfish

Incretin dysfunction and hyperglycemia in cystic fibrosis: Role of acyl-ghrelin

A novel butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor induces antidepressant, pro-cognitive, and anti-anhedonic effects in Flinders Sensitive Line rats: The role of the ghrelin-dopamine cascade

In vitro release study of mono-PEGylated growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 from PLGA microspheres

The effects and mechanisms of ghrelin upon angiogenesis in human coronary artery endothelial cells under hypoxia

Analysis of new growth promoting black market products

In vitro models for metabolic studies of small peptide hormones in sport drug testing