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Comparison

Hexarelin vs Ipamorelin

Hexarelin vs Ipamorelin: strongest GH secretagogue vs cleanest one. Cortisol and prolactin trade-offs.

The verdict

Power versus cleanliness. Hexarelin is the most potent GH secretagogue here, it produces the biggest pulse, but it also bumps cortisol and prolactin and tends to desensitize, so it's run in short cycles. Ipamorelin is the selective, clean option that leaves cortisol and prolactin alone and can be used long-term. For sustained, everyday GH-axis work, Ipamorelin is the safer default. Hexarelin is the short-burst tool when you specifically want maximum pulse and accept the trade-offs.

025
Hexarelin
GH-axisEvidence: Limited

Hexarelin is the most potent GH secretagogue, more aggressive than Ipamorelin. Comes with stronger side effects (cortisol bump, prolactin) and faster receptor desensitization. Short cycles only, not a daily-driver.

Onset
65
Documentation
75
Side intensity
82
Popularity
50
006
Ipamorelin
GH-axisEvidence: Limited

Ipamorelin gently nudges your body to release more of its own growth hormone, without the side effect baggage of injecting actual HGH. People run it for sleep, recovery, and slow body-comp shifts. Tiny doses, multiple times a day.

Onset
65
Documentation
75
Side intensity
64
Popularity
75
Side-by-side
Field
Left
Right
Category
GH-axis
GH-axis
Half-life
~70 minutes
~2 hours
Route
Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous
Schedule
1-2x daily
1-3x daily
Cycle length
4 weeks max
8-12 weeks on, 4 weeks off
Dose
100-200 mcg sub-q, 1-2x daily, for max 4 weeks.
100-300 mcg sub-q, 1-3x daily. Pre-bed dose is the most important pulse.
FDA
Not FDA approved.
Not FDA approved.
WADA
Banned (S2)
Banned (S2)
Natty?
Not natty
Not natty
Prescribed
Not prescribed in conventional medicine.
Some anti-aging and longevity clinics prescribe via compounding pharmacies, off-label.
Top side effects
Cortisol bump; Prolactin bump; Head-rush / flushing
Head-rush at injection; Mild hunger pulse 30 min post-dose; Tingling in hands rarely

Which one should you pick?

Pick Hexarelin if experienced users wanting maximum gh-pulse strength briefly or recovery focused short cycles.

Pick Ipamorelin if users wanting gh benefits without the bloat / sides of hgh or sleep / recovery focused stacks.

Note: these two are commonly stacked together rather than chosen between. See the entries for the canonical protocol.

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