GHRP-6
Also known as: growth hormone releasing peptide 6
An early synthetic hexapeptide secretagogue acting at GHS-R1a. Historically important in the discovery of the ghrelin receptor system.
Development status: Preclinical — laboratory and animal studies only
Identifiers and molecular characteristics
- CAS number
- Not verified
- Molecular formula
- Not verified
- Molecular mass
- Not verified
- Amino-acid sequence
- Not verified
- PubChem CID
- Not verified
Identifiers are published only with a source and a check date. Fields marked “not verified” have not yet been confirmed against a primary source — we show the gap rather than an unchecked figure. Always confirm against the certificate of analysis for the specific lot you hold.
Biological targets
- GHS-R1a
Mechanism of action
Ghrelin receptor agonism. Reported in the literature as having more pronounced appetite effects than later, more selective secretagogues.
Research evidence and its limits
Extensive preclinical pharmacology; important in establishing that an endogenous ligand for this receptor existed before ghrelin itself was identified.
Safety considerations
No regulatory authority has assessed this compound as safe or effective for any human indication. The published record is predominantly laboratory and animal work, which does not establish human safety. Supplied and discussed here strictly as a laboratory research material. Not a medicine, not for human or veterinary administration, and nothing on this page should be read as a dosing, treatment or safety recommendation.
Analytical identification and quality testing
Identity by high-resolution mass spectrometry against the expected mass, purity by RP-HPLC with UV detection. For a sequence-defined peptide, enzymatic digestion followed by peptide mapping gives far stronger identity evidence than mass alone, because isomers and closely related sequences can share a mass.
Regulatory status
Not an approved medicine.
References
- PubMed — search GHRP-6review
Related compounds
GHRP-2
A synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist, used in some jurisdictions as a diagnostic agent for growth hormone secretion.
Ipamorelin
A pentapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist. Acts at GHS-R1a, a different receptor from the GHRH analogues it is frequently paired with in discussion.
Hexarelin
A synthetic hexapeptide secretagogue, also studied for reported cardiac effects independent of growth hormone release.
Entry last reviewed 2026-10-11. Regulatory status and scientific understanding change; verify against primary sources before relying on anything here.