At a glance
Type
Hexapeptide GH secretagogue
Molecular weight
≈873 g/mol
Studied for
GH releaseAppetiteGhrelin receptor
GHRP-6 is one of the original growth hormone–releasing peptides — a synthetic hexapeptide that stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone and, notably, strongly drives appetite. It helped map the receptor later found to be the ghrelin receptor.
How GHRP-6 works
GHRP-6 is an agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor GHS-R1a on pituitary and hypothalamic cells — a receptor entirely separate from the GHRH receptor. Binding triggers calcium signalling and a pulse of GH. As a ghrelin mimetic it is strongly orexigenic (appetite-stimulating), and unlike selective secretagogues it also raises ACTH, cortisol and prolactin, especially at higher doses.
What the research shows
- Foundational discovery (Bowers et al., 1984). The first description of GHRP-6’s specific, dose-dependent GH release across species.
- Ghrelin identified (Kojima et al., 1999). Ghrelin was found to be the natural ligand of the receptor GHRP-6 activates.
- Human endocrine effects (Frieboes et al., 1995). In healthy men, GHRP-6 raised GH along with ACTH and cortisol, and affected sleep.
Candour: human data are limited to small, mostly older physiology studies; GHRP-6 is not an established therapy. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | Hexapeptide GH secretagogue (GHS-R1a agonist) |
| Sequence | His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 |
| Molecular formula | C46H56N12O6 |
| Molecular weight | ≈873.0 g/mol |
| CAS number | 87616-84-0 (free peptide) |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness GHRP-6 is compounded through a Registered 503B outsourcing facility under GMP-compliant processes, HPLC-tested for purity and potency, and third-party lab verified. Shipped cold-pack when needed to protect stability.
References
- Bowers CY, et al. On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone. Endocrinology. 1984;114(5):1537–1545. PubMed
- Kojima M, et al. Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach. Nature. 1999;402(6762):656–660. PubMed
- Frieboes RM, et al. Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 stimulates sleep, growth hormone, ACTH and cortisol release in normal man. Neuroendocrinology. 1995;61(5):584–589. PubMed
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
