GHRP-6 dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
US regulatory status: FDA Category 2: significant safety risk
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6 is one of the original GHRPs that strongly stimulates GH release while also significantly increasing appetite via ghrelin receptor activation. Widely used for bulking, muscle growth, and recovery. The appetite-stimulating effect makes it ideal during mass-gaining phases.
- Vial size: 5 mg
- Reconstitution: 3 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 1.67 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Growth Hormone
- Muscle Growth
- Appetite Stimulation
- Recovery
- Bulking
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 3.0mL bacteriostatic water → ~1.67mg/mL concentration
- Typical daily range: 300–900mcg total (split into 3 doses with gradual titration)
- Easy measuring: At 1.67mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01mL ≈ 16.7mcg on a U-100 syringe
- Storage: Lyophilized at −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 7 days
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 100 mcg per injection | 3× daily (SC) | 0.06 mL (6 units) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 200 mcg per injection | 3× daily (SC) | 0.12 mL (12 units) |
| Weeks 5–12 | 300 mcg per injection | 3× daily (SC) | 0.18 mL (18 units) |
How it works
GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide and one of the first growth hormone secretagogues developed. It mimics ghrelin by activating the GHS-R1a receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus, triggering a pulse of growth hormone and partially opposing somatostatin. Combined with a GHRH analog, the GH response is markedly larger than with either agent alone, as shown in human endocrine studies. Because the ghrelin receptor also drives hunger, GHRP-6 produces a pronounced increase in appetite within roughly 20-30 minutes of a dose, more than GHRP-2 or ipamorelin. Human studies also show transient rises in cortisol and prolactin. The resulting GH pulse increases IGF-1, which mediates effects on protein synthesis and fat metabolism. Rodent studies have explored GHRP-6 for cytoprotection in the heart, liver and gut, but these findings have not been confirmed in human trials. Human data are mostly short-term endocrine studies; there are no long-term trials of muscle growth or recovery outcomes, and it is not an approved medicine.
Units chart for a 5 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 300 mcg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg | 2 units | 4 units | 6 units |
| 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg | 4 units | 8 units | 12 units |
| 3 mL | 1.67 mg/mL | 16.7 mcg | 6 units | 12 units | 18 units |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 3.0mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
- Inject slowly down the vial wall to avoid foaming; do not shake
- Gently swirl or roll the vial until the powder is completely dissolved
- Label with date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2–8°C (35.6–46.4°F), protected from light; use within 7 days
Storage
Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.
- Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.
Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.
Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations
Store lyophilized at −20°C in dry, dark conditions. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 7 days. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Important notes
- Research use only
- Strong appetite stimulation — ideal for bulking
- May cause water retention and elevated cortisol
- Best stacked with CJC-1295 for synergistic GH release
- Take on empty stomach for best GH pulse
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes
- Alcohol swabs