Hexarelin
Also known as: Examorelin, HEX
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Key Facts: Hexarelin
- Category
- Growth Hormone
- FDA Status
- Not FDA Approved
- Clinical Status
- Investigational - Clinical trials conducted
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection
- Typical Dose
- 100-200 mcg 2-3x daily
- Frequency
- 2-3x daily
- Duration
- 4-8 weeks (desensitization occurs)
Mechanism of Action
Hexarelin acts through two different receptors, which is the key to understanding it. The first is the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary, which is how it triggers growth hormone release. The second is CD36, a scavenger receptor found on heart muscle cells and small blood vessels, and this is where its cardioprotective story lives. Activating CD36 in the heart has been shown to improve coronary flow and protect heart tissue from ischemia (low oxygen) and reperfusion injury, and crucially these effects still happen in growth-hormone-deficient animals, proving the heart benefit is separate from the GH benefit.
Research Summary
The growth hormone-releasing effect of hexarelin is well established in humans from older endocrine research, but the exciting cardiovascular claims are still mostly preclinical. The landmark mechanistic work (Circulation Research, 2002) identified CD36 as the receptor through which growth hormone-releasing peptides act on the heart, and follow-up rodent studies showed hexarelin improves left ventricular function and protects cardiomyocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury, in one case through interleukin-1 signaling (2017). A 2014 review in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences and a 2017 PMC review both lay out a plausible cardioprotective case. But here is the honest part: there are no large modern human trials showing hexarelin treats or prevents heart disease in people, and a known limitation is rapid tolerance, the GH response fades with continued use. So the cardiac angle is genuinely interesting biology, not an established therapy.
Dosing Information
Typical Dosingⓘ
Community experience
100-200 mcg 2-3x daily
100-300 mcg per dose
2-3x daily
Most potent GHRP for GH release but causes more desensitization. Usually cycled 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off.
Research Dosingⓘ
Scientific studies
Doses from research studies
Doses from Studies
100-200 mcg per injection
Duration
4-8 weeks (desensitization occurs)
Administration
Subcutaneous injection
Timing & Administration
Best Time to Take
Morning and before bed (fasted)
2-3 times daily, always fasted
Food Recommendation
Take on empty stomach
Why This Timing?
Hexarelin requires fasted state for optimal GH release. Split dosing maximizes GH pulses throughout the day.
Possible Side Effects
Not everyone experiences these effects. Individual responses vary based on dosage, duration, and personal factors.
- ●Increased appetite
- ●Water retention
- ●Tingling/numbness
- ●Elevated cortisol and prolactin
- ●Flushing
- ●Headache
- ●May trigger histamine release - use caution with MCAS or histamine sensitivity
- ●Receptor desensitization with continuous use
References
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.res.0000016164.02525.b4
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4178518/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28321024/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5392015/
Research This Peptide Further
Buy in shop
Hexarelin from $81/kit
3 verified vendors, ≥99% purity, COAs included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexarelin do?
Hexarelin is a synthetic six-amino-acid peptide (a growth hormone-releasing peptide, or GHRP) that pushes the pituitary to release growth hormone. What makes it more interesting than its cousins is a second job: it binds a receptor in heart tissue and appears to protect the heart, an effect that does not depend on growth hormone at all. It is a research compound, not an approved drug, and almost all of the heart data is from animals.
How does Hexarelin work?
Hexarelin acts through two different receptors, which is the key to understanding it. The first is the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary, which is how it triggers growth hormone release. The second is CD36, a scavenger receptor found on heart muscle cells and small blood vessels, and this is where its cardioprotective story lives. Activating CD36 in the heart has been shown to improve coronary flow and protect heart tissue from ischemia (low oxygen) and reperfusion injury, and crucially these effects still happen in growth-hormone-deficient animals, proving the heart benefit is separate from the GH benefit.
Is Hexarelin FDA approved?
No, Hexarelin is not currently FDA approved. Current status: Investigational - Clinical trials conducted
What are the side effects of Hexarelin?
Reported side effects include: Increased appetite, Water retention, Tingling/numbness, Elevated cortisol and prolactin, Flushing. Individual responses vary based on dosage, duration, and personal health factors.
What is the typical dose of Hexarelin?
Community-reported common dose: 100-200 mcg 2-3x daily (2-3x daily). Range: 100-300 mcg per dose. Administration: Subcutaneous injection. Community-reported doses. Not medical advice. Consult healthcare provider.
Related Peptides
Peptides commonly compared with Hexarelin or used in similar applications.
Ipamorelin
Clinical TrialsIpamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue developed by Novo Nordisk and derived from GHRP-1. It is researched mainly for stimulating the body's own growth hormone (GH) release, and was studied in humans primarily for postoperative ileus and gut motility rather than anti-aging. It is not an approved drug anywhere: it reached Phase II trials, was discontinued for insufficient efficacy, and is now sold only as a research chemical.
Growth HormoneMK-677
Clinical TrialsMK-677 (ibutamoren) is not actually a peptide, it is a small, orally active non-peptide molecule that mimics ghrelin, your hunger and growth-hormone hormone. Taken as a daily pill, it reliably pushes up growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, which is why it is popular for muscle and recovery. It has been through real human trials but was never approved as a drug, and the trials that mattered most for older adults and Alzheimer's came up short.
Growth HormoneCJC-1295 (No DAC)
Clinical TrialsCJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), specifically a modified GHRH(1-29), engineered for a long duration of action. The form most people mean by CJC-1295 includes a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that binds blood albumin to extend its half-life to roughly 6 to 8 days, raising GH and IGF-I for days from a single injection. It was developed by ConjuChem, reached Phase II trials and was abandoned; it is not an approved drug and is sold only as a research chemical. A version without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) acts for only about 30 minutes.
Growth HormoneTesamorelin
FDATesamorelin is a stabilized analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44) with a chemical modification that protects it from rapid breakdown. It is FDA-approved (brand name Egrifta) to reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, which makes it one of the few growth-hormone-axis peptides with a real approval behind it. Its evidence base is solid for that specific population and thinner for the general anti-aging and fat-loss uses it gets promoted for online.
Growth HormoneGHRP-6
Clinical TrialsGHRP-6 is a synthetic six-amino-acid peptide (His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) that tricks the body into releasing its own growth hormone. It was one of the first growth hormone secretagogues ever made, and the hunt to find out why it worked led scientists straight to the discovery of ghrelin. It has no approval as a drug anywhere and is used only as a research compound.
Growth HormoneGHRP-2
Clinical TrialsGHRP-2 (generic name pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue and a second-generation cousin of GHRP-6. It prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone and is the one peptide in this family with an actual regulatory approval: it is licensed in Japan as a diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency. Outside that narrow diagnostic use it has no approval and is sold elsewhere only as a research compound.
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