- Dec 25, 2024
- 364
- 21
(field notes from a veteran bodybuilder who’s tried the whole ghrelin zoo)
TL;DR: If you’ve bounced off GHRP‑6 or GHRP‑2 because of gnawing hunger, face bloat, or that wired‑but‑tired “cortisol hum,” Ipamorelin is the cleanest pulse I’ve found. Precise GH release, minimal impact on appetite, prolactin, or cortisol. Best returns for me came paired with a GHRH analog (Mod‑GRF(1‑29)), on an empty stomach, cycled, with sleep and bloodwork dialed.
[]No Hunger Hijack – GHRP‑6 had me raiding the pantry at midnight. Ipamorelin doesn’t jack ghrelin appetite signaling the same way, so I can run a tight cut without white‑knuckle cravings.
[]Cortisol‑Friendly – Unlike some secretagogues that can tickle ACTH/cortisol, ipamorelin is selective. In the gym, I want drive—not stress chemistry.
[]Sleep Quality – I get deeper sleep onset and fewer wake‑ups. For my elbows and knees, better sleep = better tissue turnover.
[]Joint/Soft‑Tissue Support – Indirect, via GH/IGF‑1 axis and better recovery. It’s not a morphine drip, but my a.m. creakiness is lower when I’m consistent.
[]Ipamorelin is a selective agonist at the ghrelin receptor (GHSR‑1a). The big win is selectivity—you get a clean pituitary GH pulse with little collateral on prolactin or cortisol.
[]Pairing a GHRP (ipamorelin) with a GHRH analog (e.g., Mod‑GRF(1‑29)) stacks the signal: GHRH opens the gate; ipamorelin pushes through. 1 + 1 > 2 for the pulse amplitude.- Glucose and fatty acids blunt GH. Carby/fatty meals near your pulse = smaller returns. Timing matters.
What I Actually Felt (cut vs recomp)
[]Cut: No 2 a.m. snack attacks. Woke up flatter (good), dryness held better. DOMS down a notch, elbows less cranky on heavy press volume.
[]Recomp: Pumps stayed, sleep improved, and I could push frequency without feeling “wired.” Zero “face spill” I used to get on more aggressive secretagogues.- Side Notes: Mild hand tingles if I got greedy on dose or stacked too much frequency. Backing down = gone.
Sample Research Layouts (educational only)
These are examples from my logs—not prescriptions. Keep it simple, track labs, and don’t chase dragon doses.
Goal: Sleep/recovery focus
Layout: Ipamorelin + Mod‑GRF(1‑29) pre‑bed on an empty stomach
Frequency: Once nightly, 5–6 nights/week
Food timing: Last meal 90–120 min prior; water only
Cycle: 8–12 weeks on, 2 weeks off; re‑evaluate IGF‑1, fasting glucose, morning BP
Layout: Ipamorelin + Mod‑GRF(1‑29) pre‑bed on an empty stomach
Frequency: Once nightly, 5–6 nights/week
Food timing: Last meal 90–120 min prior; water only
Cycle: 8–12 weeks on, 2 weeks off; re‑evaluate IGF‑1, fasting glucose, morning BP
Goal: Joint support + training density
Layout: Morning fasted pulse + post‑training pulse + pre‑bed pulse (ipamorelin + Mod‑GRF)
Food timing: Keep carbs/fats away 30–60 min pre/post pulse
Cycle: 6–8 weeks, then deload frequency (down to bedtime‑only) to avoid desensitization
Layout: Morning fasted pulse + post‑training pulse + pre‑bed pulse (ipamorelin + Mod‑GRF)
Food timing: Keep carbs/fats away 30–60 min pre/post pulse
Cycle: 6–8 weeks, then deload frequency (down to bedtime‑only) to avoid desensitization
Reconstitution, Storage & Technique (boring but crucial)
[]Water: Bacteriostatic water for reconstitution. Angle the stream down the vial wall; don’t churn bubbles.
[]Storage: Lyophilized vials in a cool, dark place; after reconstitution keep refrigerated. Avoid freeze‑thaw.
[]Injection: SubQ with proper sterile technique. Rotate sites (abdomen, flank). Alcohol swab in, alcohol swab out.
[]Labeling: Date your mix. Respect shelf‑life; potency drifts with time/heat/contamination.
Bloodwork & Feedback Loops
[]Before: Baseline IGF‑1, fasting glucose/insulin (or HOMA‑IR), lipids, resting BP, AM bodyweight, sleep quality notes.
[]During: Track sleep latency, night wakes, numb/tingle, ring tightness (water), morning weight trend.- After: IGF‑1 (directional), fasting glucose, subjective joints/sleep. Adjust frequency before you adjust vial count.
Risk Management (read this)
[]If you’re diabetic/pre‑diabetic, have active cancer, or significant endocrine issues—this is not a cowboy arena. Talk to a clinician.
[]Report cards from your body: edema, carpal‑tunnel‑like tingles, headaches, BP creep—these mean slow down or stop.- Don’t stack three levers at once (new diet + new training split + new peptide). Change one, watch, then decide.
GHRP Roll‑Call: How Ipamorelin Compares
[]GHRP‑6: Big hunger, strong pulse; can be great for hardgainers, but I can’t cut on it.
[]GHRP‑2: Solid pulse, but more likely to nudge prolactin/cortisol for me.- Ipamorelin: Tidy pulse, appetite neutral, stress‑friendly. The “grown‑up” choice when life is busy and recovery matters.
My Practical Playbook
[]Pick a lane: sleep‑only pulse or 2–3 daily. More isn’t always more.
[]Pair with Mod‑GRF(1‑29) for synergy.
[]Guard the timing—empty stomach around pulses.
[]Let sleep, training quality, and labs grade your cycle… not mirror selfies.- Deload frequency/cycle. Pulses work best when the body isn’t numb to them.
Final Word
After years of experimenting, ipamorelin is what I reach for when I want GH support without lifestyle chaos. I can diet, coach athletes, handle family life, and still wake up with elbows that don’t argue every press session.
If you’re exploring research‑grade options, I’ve had smooth, no‑drama experiences with Dragonpharmastore (mods delete if not allowed). Keep it responsible and keep it data‑driven.
[small]Educational content only. Not medical advice; not a solicitation. Follow forum rules and your jurisdiction’s regulations.[/small]
