Carl read the papersWhat it actually is
Ipamorelin mimics ghrelin at the GH-secretagogue receptor, prompting the pituitary to release growth hormone. Its claim to fame is selectivity.
Unlike older secretagogues, it releases GH with little effect on cortisol, prolactin or appetite — which is why it’s the default partner for CJC-1295.
How it’s thought to work
- Ghrelin-receptor agonism — triggers a GH pulse via the GHS-R.
- Selectivity — minimal cortisol/prolactin/hunger effect.
- Synergy with GHRH — stacks with CJC-1295 for a bigger pulse.
- Short action — clean, pulse-like release.
What the research says
Well-characterised in pharmacology as a selective GH secretagogue. As with CJC-1295, aesthetic/performance use is off-label and anecdotal.
- Raises GH cleanly (little hunger/cortisol).
- Recovery, sleep and body composition (reported).
- Common ‘first secretagogue’ for beginners.
Reported protocols
These are the doses the peptide community actually reports running (Reddit & forums), alongside published research — logged for education, not as a recommendation to use.
| Parameter | Commonly reported range |
|---|---|
| Community dose | 100–150 mcg per dose (some 200–300) |
| Frequency | 1–3× daily — AM + pre-bed common |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
| Cycle | 8–12 week blocks |
| Community tip | Run WITH CJC-1295, fasted, before bed; keep a 2–3 h food gap |
Common use cases
| Goal | Community protocol notes |
|---|---|
| GH support (clean) | 100–150 mcg with CJC-1295, pre-bed |
| Recovery & sleep | before-bed dose |
| Beginner GH stack | the default first secretagogue |
Mixing it (reconstitution)
Freeze-dried peptides must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before they can be measured. Carl’s calculator turns “mg in the vial + ml of water + target dose” into “units on the syringe” — and tells you how long the vial lasts.
→ Open the Reconstitution Calculator
Injection & handling
SubQ, 100–150 mcg, fasted — the classic timing is with CJC-1295 before bed (rides the nocturnal GH pulse), plus an optional AM/post-workout dose. Keep a 2–3 h food gap. Refrigerate reconstituted.
Stacks it appears in
- Lean Signal — CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — the most popular GH-support pairing.
