Rankings / Muscle & Strength

Ipamorelin

Muscle & Strength · Selective ghrelin receptor agonist

Tier C

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed · How we grade

gh-axisbanned
4.9 / 10
Tier C
Ev 3 Bn 5 Sf 7

Bottom line

Read Off Label grades Ipamorelin as C (4.9/10) based on weak evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.

The 'cleanest' of the GHRPs — minimal effect on cortisol and prolactin.

Typical use: 200-300 mcg subQ 2-3x/day (commonly stacked with CJC-1295) — Research peptide; not FDA-approved; banned sport.

What this is

The 'cleanest' of the GHRPs — minimal effect on cortisol and prolactin. Classic stack: CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin to produce a synchronized GH pulse. Ph2 studies for postoperative ileus in Helsinn development program; no approval. Product-quality caveat: a 2026 preprint testing consumer "research-grade" peptides found 42-71% failed purity benchmarks and ~15% had measurable endotoxin contamination — gray-market sourcing is a real safety risk.

Mechanism

Selective GHS-R1a agonist; releases GH from pituitary with minimal impact on cortisol, prolactin, ACTH (unlike GHRP-2/6); short plasma half-life (~2 hr)

Dose & route

200-300 mcg subQ 2-3x/day (commonly stacked with CJC-1295)

Citations

Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.

Common questions

Does Ipamorelin work?
Read Off Label rates the evidence for Ipamorelin as Weak and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of C (4.9/10). The 'cleanest' of the GHRPs — minimal effect on cortisol and prolactin.
Is Ipamorelin safe?
Ipamorelin has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Research peptide; not FDA-approved; banned sport. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
What is the typical dose for Ipamorelin?
200-300 mcg subQ 2-3x/day (commonly stacked with CJC-1295)
How does Ipamorelin work?
Selective GHS-R1a agonist; releases GH from pituitary with minimal impact on cortisol, prolactin, ACTH (unlike GHRP-2/6); short plasma half-life (~2 hr)

This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.