Ghrelin vs Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin activates the same receptor as ghrelin (GHS-R1a) but was developed to release GH selectively, with little effect on cortisol or prolactin in early studies. Native ghrelin also drives hunger and has a short half-life.
Ghrelin
The endogenous 28-amino-acid stomach hormone that activates the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor — the natural ligand every synthetic secretagogue imitates.
BEST STUDIED FOR
GH secretagogues
Read the cited profile →
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that selectively binds the growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (the ghrelin receptor).
BEST STUDIED FOR
Selective GH-pulse research
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Side by side · to buy
Price, purity and dispatch
| Compare | Ghrelin | Ipamorelin10mg |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | R489 |
| Cost per mg | — | R48.9 / mg |
| Purity (Janoshik) | — | 99.763%HPLC, published |
| Stock | — | Restocking |
| Dispatch | — | When restocked |
| Certificate | — | View CoA → |
| Literature | — | 3 papers → |
| Research focus | GH secretagogues | Selective GH-pulse research |
| Read the cited profile | Notify me |
Prices are read live from the catalogue. Cost per mg is the vial price over its stated mg. Purity is shown only where the certificate is published. Every compound is supplied for laboratory research only.
SIDE BY SIDE
| Ghrelin | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | Native hormone; strong appetite effect | Selective synthetic agonist |
| Class | GH secretagogues | GH secretagogues |
| Mechanism | Discovered in 1999 as the natural ligand of GHS-R1a, acylated ghrelin stimulates pituitary GH release and is a powerful orexigenic (appetite) signal. | Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that selectively binds the growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (the ghrelin receptor). |
| Status | Endogenous hormone and research tool; synthetic ghrelin-receptor agonists (anamorelin, macimorelin) have reached approval in specific indications elsewhere. | Investigational ghrelin-receptor agonist; reached clinical trials for post-operative ileus but was not approved. |
| Reported safety signals | As a research reagent it is a physiological hormone; increased appetite and GH/cortisol release are expected pharmacology. | Clinical-trial exposure is limited to short courses; no long-term human safety data. |
| A key study | The discovery paper identifying ghrelin as the endogenous, acylated ligand of the GH secretagogue receptor. (Nature 1999, PMID 10604470) | The characterisation study describing ipamorelin as the first GH secretagogue to release growth hormone with a selectivity comparable to GHRH in animals. (Eur J Endocrinol 1998, PMID 9849822) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
Ghrelin for physiology; ipamorelin for selective GH-pulse research. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [Ghrelin] Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach — Nature 1999. PMID 10604470
- [Ghrelin] Ghrelin — Mol Metab 2015. PMID 26042199
- [Ghrelin] Ghrelin and Neurodegenerative Disorders-a Review — Mol Neurobiol 2017. PMID 26809582
- [Ipamorelin] Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue — Eur J Endocrinol 1998. PMID 9849822
- [Ipamorelin] The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation — Growth Horm IGF Res 2001. PMID 11735244
- [Ipamorelin] Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss — Physiol Behav 2024. PMID 39043357
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is the difference between Ghrelin and Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin activates the same receptor as ghrelin (GHS-R1a) but was developed to release GH selectively, with little effect on cortisol or prolactin in early studies. Native ghrelin also drives hunger and has a short half-life.
What is the regulatory status of Ghrelin and Ipamorelin?
Ghrelin: Endogenous hormone and research tool; synthetic ghrelin-receptor agonists (anamorelin, macimorelin) have reached approval in specific indications elsewhere. Ipamorelin: Investigational ghrelin-receptor agonist; reached clinical trials for post-operative ileus but was not approved.
What safety signals have been reported?
Ghrelin: As a research reagent it is a physiological hormone; increased appetite and GH/cortisol release are expected pharmacology. Ipamorelin: Clinical-trial exposure is limited to short courses; no long-term human safety data.
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For Ghrelin: “Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach” (PMID 10604470); “Ghrelin” (PMID 26042199); “Ghrelin and Neurodegenerative Disorders-a Review” (PMID 26809582). For Ipamorelin: “Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue” (PMID 9849822); “The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation” (PMID 11735244); “Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss” (PMID 39043357).
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