Growth hormone secretagogues are peptides studied for how they prompt the body’s own release of growth hormone. They fall into two families that act on different receptors. This guide maps the category. All are research-use-only compounds — not approved for human use.
- Two families: GHRH analogues and GHRPs (ghrelin-receptor peptides).
- Upstream action: they signal the pituitary rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
- Often combined: one from each family, to engage both pathways.
- Status: not FDA-approved (except specific approved analogues); research use only.
The two families
| Family | Acts on | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| GHRH analogues | GHRH receptor | Tesamorelin, CJC-1295 |
| GHRPs / ghrelin-receptor | GHS-R1a (ghrelin) | Ipamorelin |
How they work in research
Growth-hormone release is governed by two signals: GHRH and ghrelin. GHRH analogues mimic the first; GHRPs act on the second. Because the pathways are separate, the two families are studied both individually and in combination.
- GHRH analogues — see Tesamorelin (a single-peptide analogue).
- Combination — see the CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin blend, which pairs one peptide from each family.
- Component comparison — see CJC-1295 vs Ipamorelin.
Why “secretagogue” matters
A secretagogue is something that triggers secretion. The defining research characteristic of this category is that the peptides work upstream — prompting the pituitary to release growth hormone in its natural pattern — rather than adding the hormone directly.
Browse growth-hormone research peptides
Lab-tested, with third-party purity verification.