Bodybuilding Guide - Section 2 - GHRP & GHRH

GHRP & GHRH Guide
This is the second entry in a large guide, to see the first post, please click here.
GHRP
GHRP 6, GHRP 2 and Ipamorelin, as well as other Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP) all work in the same way – increasing secretion of Ghrelin, a hormone; which in turn increases Growth Hormone (GH).

GHRH
CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29) and CJC-1295 DAC are both Growth Hormone Releasing Hormones (GHRH), and also work in the same was as each other, allowing substantially more GH to be released (2-10 fold[1]).
The only difference between the two is half-life. Due to the Drug Affinity Complex (DAC), the half-life is increased from around 30 minutes to 6-8 days.
One thing to consider is that they are most effective when somatostatin is low.
Somatostatin is a hormone which inhibits the release of growth hormone; if you administer the peptide when a GH pulse isn’t occurring then it will do next to nothing. However, if you use it while a GH pulse is happening your GH release will be much larger.
This is why they are most effective when used in combination with GHRP, as it suppresses it.

Synthesis information

GHRP
The starting point for GHRPs was the analogue Tyr-D-Trp-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2, which was observed to have GH releasing properties, with following modifications leading to GHRP-6.

Minor modifications to this was made to form GHRP-1; then leading onto GHRP-2 and Ipamorelin.

GHRH
Both peptides are derived from GRF 1-44

"Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2"

However, the last 15 amino acids don’t have any effect on growth hormone release.
Mod GRF 1-29 is the result of removing the amino acids, and also replacing the first Ala with D-Ala, which reduces degredation - as seen below.

"H-Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2"

CJC 1295 DAC is the above with a few modifications, position 8, 15 and 27 have been modified to increase the effectiveness, but the most important change is an added Lys amino acid used to secure the DAC, which attaches to Albumin and increases the half-life.

"H-Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg-Lys(Mal)-NH2"

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Effects

There are many effects of GHRP peptides, and vary between them. Most of this was covered in the original overview, but I’ll include it here too for the sake of completeness.

GHRP-6 has the greatest amount of effects, the main one being increased hunger – and thus should only be used by those trying to ‘bulk’ up, as it will allow you to consume more calories than normally.
It also increases levels of cortisol, prolactin and aldosterone.

GHRP-2 is the most powerful, mg for mg, but also increases cortisol, prolactin and aldosterone levels slightly more than GHRP-2. The noticeable hunger is absent with this peptide though, so is better suited to those aiming to diet or lose fat.

Ipamorelin is the ‘cleanest’ of the three, in which it only affects Ghrelin release, and doesn’t cause any affects to the other hormones. There has been reported increase in hunger, but no official studies carried out. It is however, considerably more expensive, so this should be accounted for when choosing which peptide you wish to use.

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Side effects

GHRP
Generally, people tolerate GHRPs very well at suggested dosages.
As I have covered hunger elsewhere I won’t include it here, mainly as it’s considered an ‘effect’ by many, rather than a side.
The main side effect is water retention, which is caused by aldosterone, and while minor and short lived (2-3 weeks) it is present – but not for Ipamorelin. Tiredness has also been reported, but also passes quickly.
Lastly, some reactions at the injection site are to be expected, for all GHRPs –as well as flushing of the face.

GHRH
CJC has no other ‘effects’ besides what is mentioned above, however it does have a couple of side effects.
As with GHRP, water retention is present, however if you’re using both together it will be similar to just using one, and is nothing to worry about. Similarly, tiredness is also experienced at most dosages.
The most important side effect is numbness in extremities (hands and feet), with carpel tunnel like symptoms.
Many of the side effects can be mitigated by using anti-histamines, or injecting intra-muscular rather than subcutaneous.
As a side note, the only other thing to mention here is that CJC-1295 should always be used as a cycle, ideally with 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off – this allows the pituitary gland to recover from the constant bleed effect.
If you are using as a one off cycle, perhaps in between AAS cycles, or similar, then you could consider a prolonged on period, with some users reporting no damage at 3 months, usage beyond this point is exponentially more likely to cause damage.

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Dosage information

GHRP
GHRP 6, GHRP 2 and Ipamorelin should all be dosed at 100-200mcg, with 200mcg giving about 40% better results than 100mcg, however unless you have a large budget 100mcg is sufficient.
Injections should be given two to three times per day, depending on your schedule and goals.
Considering that the peptides have a 15-60 minute half-life, they need to be used when required.
Optimal injection times are straight away in the morning, pre-workout and before sleep.
A single vial of GHRP 6 & 2 will last for 25 200mcg injections, so 8 or 12 days, depending on your frequency. Alternatively, it will last for 50 100mcg injections, or 16 or 25 days.
Ipamorelin, however, comes in a smaller vial, so will only last for 10 200mcg injections (3 or 5 days), or 20 100mcg injections (6 or 10 days).

GHRH
If using Mod GRF 1-29 you will be injecting 100mcg per dose, three times daily – at the same time as your GHRP. Mixing the two peptides into a single syringe is optimal, to cut down on the number of injections – this will not affect the potency of either peptide.
If using CJC-1295 DAC you will be injecting the whole 2mg in one injection, once per week.

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Increasing dosage

GHRP
The recommended dosages given are at the upper end of the scale, with entry level users aiming for 100mcg, and advanced users opting for 200mcg. This is due to the ‘cap’ (or saturation dose) on how much your body can absorb, this is present for GHRP-6 and 2, and is around 1mcg/kg, however this doesn’t mean that above that will be wasted, just that it will be less effective. The additional 100mcg will yield about 40% extra.
If you do wish to push beyond this figure, you can use Ipamorelin to do so, however, the investment in such a regime is substantial, and not generally worth the cost.

GHRH
Increasing the dosage of CJC-1295 will increase your basal levels of GH, however, it also increases the side effects, and thus generally isn’t recommended – however, studies have been carried out up to 4mg weekly, and beyond that point causes multiple issues, including lower back and calf muscle pain.
Mod GRF 1-29 can be increased in frequency, but not dosage. Generally 4 times a day is the upper limit, as it works best when paired with GHRP, which should be take 3 times daily.

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Glossary

Aldosterone – A hormone which causes water retention
Cortisol – A hormone which is released when stressed, aids metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates, but also decrease bone formation
Prolactin – A hormone that diminishes sex drive
Somatostatin – A hormone which inhibits GH release[/QUOTE]