GHRP-2
Also known as: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2
The second most powerful growth hormone peptide after Hexarelin, but with a better balance of effectiveness vs side effects. It boosts GH strongly while only moderately raising cortisol and prolactin — a good middle ground. Extensively studied in Japanese clinical trials, making it one of the best-understood GH peptides. Also shows stomach-protective properties in animal studies. Often combined with CJC-1295 for stronger results.
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2) is a synthetic hexapeptide that stimulates growth hormone release by binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary somatotroph cells. It is the second most potent GHRP after Hexarelin and is one of the most extensively studied growth hormone secretagogues, with particularly detailed pharmacokinetic data from Japanese clinical trials.
GHRP-2 occupies a middle ground among growth hormone-releasing peptides. It produces stronger GH release than Ipamorelin but with moderately elevated cortisol and prolactin — a trade-off that Ipamorelin avoids but that comes with a more robust GH response. The half-life of GHRP-2 is approximately 1-2 hours, and each injection produces a sharp GH pulse lasting 2-3 hours. Japanese studies have documented dose-dependent GH responses and established its pharmacokinetic profile more thoroughly than most other GHRPs.
GHRP-2 is typically dosed at 100-300 mcg subcutaneously two to three times daily on an empty stomach. It is most effective when combined with a GHRH analog like CJC-1295 (Modified GRF 1-29), which amplifies the GH pulse that GHRP-2 triggers. An interesting secondary property is that GHRP-2 has demonstrated gastroprotective effects in animal studies — it appears to protect the stomach lining from damage, an unusual benefit for a growth hormone peptide. Side effects include moderate appetite increase (less than GHRP-6 but more than Ipamorelin), mild cortisol elevation, and transient water retention.
Dosage
100-300 mcg subcutaneous 2-3x daily
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Administration
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Effects
GH Release
Second most potent GHRP after Hexarelin with moderate side-effect profile.
Appetite Increase
Moderate ghrelin-mimetic appetite stimulation.
Gastroprotection
Some evidence of protective effects on gastric mucosa in animal models.
Mechanism of Action
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2) is a synthetic hexapeptide that binds to the GHS-R1a receptor on pituitary somatotrophs with high affinity, making it the second most potent GHRP for GH release after hexarelin. It activates the canonical Gq/11-PLC-IP3-calcium pathway, triggering robust GH vesicle exocytosis.
Beyond direct pituitary action, GHRP-2 modulates GH release at the hypothalamic level through two complementary mechanisms. It stimulates GHRH-producing neurons in the arcuate nucleus, amplifying the endogenous GHRH signal, and simultaneously suppresses somatostatin release from periventricular neurons, removing the inhibitory brake on GH secretion. This dual hypothalamic action explains why combining GHRP-2 with a GHRH analogue produces synergistic rather than merely additive GH release — the GHRP removes somatostatin inhibition while the GHRH analogue directly activates somatotrophs.
GHRP-2 occupies a middle ground in the GHRP family regarding selectivity. It produces moderate cortisol and prolactin elevation — less than hexarelin but more than ipamorelin. Its ghrelin-mimetic activity also stimulates appetite through hypothalamic NPY/AgRP neurons, though this effect is less pronounced than GHRP-6. Some research suggests GHRP-2 may have gastroprotective properties, with studies showing protection against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in animal models. The peptide has been most extensively studied in Japan, where clinical trials evaluated its potential for treating GH deficiency, and it remains one of the best-characterized GHRPs in terms of pharmacology and dose-response relationships.
Regulatory Status
Not FDA approved. Available as research peptide and through some compounding pharmacies. Studied in clinical trials in Japan.
Risks & Safety
Common
increased appetite, water retention, moderate cortisol and prolactin elevation, headache, dizziness.
Serious
tolerance build-up with prolonged continuous use, breast tissue growth in men from sustained prolactin, reduced insulin sensitivity.
Rare
significant swelling, allergic reactions.
Compare GHRP-2 With
Research Papers
12Published: January 13, 2026
AI Summary
Long COVID (LC) may involve endocrine dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To examine hypothalamic-pituitary responses in patients with LC, we conducted a single-center retrospective study of patients with refractory LC referred to our University Hospital who underwent anterior pituitary stimulation tests. Between February 2021 and November 2025, 1251 patients with lo...
Published: June 16, 2025
AI Summary
Our patient is a 28-year-old male who was being treated by a local doctor for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Four days prior to admission, nausea and diarrhea appeared, and it gradually became difficult for him to eat. The night before admission, his level of consciousness decreased (Japan Coma Scale (JCS) II-20), and he was rushed to the hospital.
Published: July 11, 2025
AI Summary
To explore the potential of growth hormone-releasing peptide 2 (GHRP-2) for tendon-bone healing in a rat rotator cuff tear (RCT) model..
Published: August 26, 2024
AI Summary
GH-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP2) can be used for provocative growth hormone testing (GHT). Since it acts as a powerful stimulus for GH secretion, cut-off peak GH level in GHRP2 loading test (GHRP2T) is higher than in other GHT. Nevertheless, data on response at adolescents are limited.
Published: September 20, 2023
AI Summary
Multiple studies have reported new or exacerbated persistent or resistant hypertension in patients previously infected with COVID-19. We used literature-based discovery to identify and prioritize multi-scalar explanatory biology that relates resistant hypertension to COVID-19. Cross-domain text mining of 33+ million PubMed articles within a comprehensive knowledge graph was performed using SemN...
Published: August 1, 2023
AI Summary
The growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) test is relatively safe among endocrine stimulation tests for the elderly. We investigated whether anterior pituitary function in elderly patients could be assessed on the basis of GH response to the GHRP-2 test..
Published: July 31, 2022
AI Summary
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) develops early in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disorder and is frequently accompanied by other anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, including secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI). A growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP2) test, which is widely used for the diagnosis of patients with GHD, is thought to induce release of not only growth hormone (GH) ...
Published: June 26, 2022
AI Summary
Cachexia is a state of increased metabolism associated with high morbidity and mortality. Dysregulation of cytokines and hormone activity causes reduced protein synthesis and excessive protein breakdown. various treatments are available, depending on the primary disease and the patient's state.
Published: April 21, 2022
AI Summary
Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) is often complicated by non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFPTs); however, its prevalence remains unclear because preoperative screening for GHD with provocative tests is not recommended. Accordingly, we attempted to clarify the characteristics of GHD in unoperated patients with NFPT..
Published: October 21, 2021
AI Summary
A 42-year-old man who had suffered from severe fatigue for 5 years was diagnosed as having chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. Endocrinological workup using combined anterior pituitary function tests showed that the patient had adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) deficiency, with a normal pituitary MRI. Treatment with a physiologic dose of oral hydrocortisone replacement physically ...
Published: February 8, 2021
AI Summary
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare and aggressive type of B-cell lymphoma with large cells growing within the lumen of blood vessels. Although previous reports revealed highly variable symptoms resulting from small-vessel occlusion by neoplastic cells in a variety of organs, there are few reports of IVLBCL with pituitary involvement..
Published: June 25, 2021
AI Summary
GIST and NICTH are mesenchymal in origin however there are very few reports of GIST associated with NICTH which is a para neoplastic syndrome, generally diagnosed when a tumour induced hypoglycaemia is noted..
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GHRP-2?
The second most powerful growth hormone peptide after Hexarelin, but with a better balance of effectiveness vs side effects. It boosts GH strongly while only moderately raising cortisol and prolactin — a good middle ground. Extensively studied in Japanese clinical trials, making it one of the best-understood GH peptides. Also shows stomach-protective properties in animal studies. Often combined with CJC-1295 for stronger results.
What is GHRP-2 used for?
The second most powerful growth hormone peptide after Hexarelin, but with a better balance of effectiveness vs side effects. It boosts GH strongly while only moderately raising cortisol and prolactin — a good middle ground. Extensively studied in Japanese clinical trials, making it one of the best-understood GH peptides. Also shows stomach-protective properties in animal studies. Often combined with CJC-1295 for stronger results.
What is the dosage for GHRP-2?
Standard: 100-300 mcg subcutaneous two or three times daily on an empty stomach. Often combined with a GHRH analogue (CJC-1295 or Sermorelin) in the same injection for synergistic GH release.
What are the side effects of GHRP-2?
Common: increased appetite, water retention, moderate cortisol and prolactin elevation, headache, dizziness. Serious: tolerance build-up with prolonged continuous use, breast tissue growth in men from sustained prolactin, reduced insulin sensitivity. Rare: significant swelling, allergic reactions.
How does GHRP-2 work?
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2) is a synthetic hexapeptide that binds to the GHS-R1a receptor on pituitary somatotrophs with high affinity, making it the second most potent GHRP for GH release after hexarelin. It activates the canonical Gq/11-PLC-IP3-calcium pathway, triggering robust GH vesicle exocytosis. Beyond direct pituitary action, GHRP-2 modulates GH release at the hypothalamic level through two complementary mechanisms. It stimulates GHRH-producing neurons in the arcuate nucleus, amplifying the endogenous GHRH signal, and simultaneously suppresses somatostatin release from periventricular neurons, removing the inhibitory brake on GH secretion. This dual hypothalamic action explains why combining GHRP-2 with a GHRH analogue produces synergistic rather than merely additive GH release — the GHRP removes somatostatin inhibition while the GHRH analogue directly activates somatotrophs. GHRP-2 occupies a middle ground in the GHRP family regarding selectivity. It produces moderate cortisol and prolactin elevation — less than hexarelin but more than ipamorelin. Its ghrelin-mimetic activity also stimulates appetite through hypothalamic NPY/AgRP neurons, though this effect is less pronounced than GHRP-6. Some research suggests GHRP-2 may have gastroprotective properties, with studies showing protection against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in animal models. The peptide has been most extensively studied in Japan, where clinical trials evaluated its potential for treating GH deficiency, and it remains one of the best-characterized GHRPs in terms of pharmacology and dose-response relationships.
How is GHRP-2 administered?
GHRP-2 is administered via subcutaneous injection.
What is the half-life of GHRP-2?
The half-life of GHRP-2 is 1-2 hours.
Is GHRP-2 legal?
Not FDA approved. Available as research peptide and through some compounding pharmacies. Studied in clinical trials in Japan.
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