GHRP-2 and ipamorelin are both GHRPs — ghrelin-receptor agonists that trigger a growth-hormone pulse. The trade-off mirrors the wider GHRP family: GHRP-2 is a potent releaser that can modestly raise appetite, prolactin and cortisol, while ipamorelin is the selective, "clean" option with minimal off-target effects. Neither is approved.
At a glance
| GHRP-2 | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRP (ghrelin-receptor agonist) | GHRP (ghrelin-receptor agonist) |
| Potency | Potent GH release | Moderate, selective |
| Appetite effect | Mild increase | Minimal |
| Cortisol / prolactin | Can increase slightly | Minimal effect |
| FDA status | Not approved (research chemical) | Not approved (research chemical) |
| Sport status | Banned (WADA) | Banned (WADA) |
The bottom line
Bottom line: GHRP-2 trades a little selectivity for potency, while ipamorelin trades a little potency for a cleaner profile (minimal appetite, cortisol, and prolactin effects). Both are unapproved research chemicals with limited human data, and both are banned in sport.
Frequently asked questions
Is GHRP-2 or ipamorelin better?
GHRP-2 is a more potent GH releaser but can mildly affect appetite, cortisol and prolactin, while ipamorelin is more selective and 'clean' with minimal off-target effects. Neither is FDA-approved.
Which is 'cleaner'?
Ipamorelin is considered the cleaner, more selective GHRP because it triggers growth hormone with minimal impact on appetite, cortisol and prolactin. Both are banned in sport.
Do both raise growth hormone?
Yes, both are GHRPs that stimulate a growth-hormone pulse via the ghrelin receptor. Human outcome data for physique or performance are limited for both.
References
Combined peer-reviewed sources from both peptide guides. Inclusion is not endorsement.
- Pralmorelin (GHRP-2): growth hormone-releasing peptide 2. Drugs R D. 2004. Peer-reviewed study
- Okano M, Sato M, Kageyama S. Determination of pralmorelin (GHRP-2) and its metabolite in human urine by LC/ESI tandem mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2010. Peer-reviewed study
- Cox HD, Hughes CM, Eichner D. Detection of GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in urine samples from athletes. Drug Test Anal. 2015. Peer-reviewed study
- Yamamoto D, Ikeshita N, Matsubara T, et al. GHRP-2, a GHS-R agonist, directly acts on myocytes to attenuate the dexamethasone-induced expressions of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases, Atrogin-1 and MuRF1. Life Sci. 2008. Peer-reviewed study
- Laferrère B, Abraham C, Russell CD, et al. Growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005. Peer-reviewed study
- Chen C, Farnworth P, Petersenn S, et al. Growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) does not act via the human growth hormone-releasing factor receptor in GC cells. Endocrine. 1998. Peer-reviewed study
- Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998. Peer-reviewed study
- Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, et al. Beyond the androgen receptor: growth hormone secretagogues in the management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Transl Androl Urol. 2020. Peer-reviewed study
- Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, et al. Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999. Peer-reviewed study
- Lu Z, Ngan MP, Liu JYH, et al. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism. Physiol Behav. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Gouda M, Ganesh CB. The influence of ghrelin agonist ipamorelin acetate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. Anim Reprod Sci. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, et al. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999. Peer-reviewed study