Carl read the papersWhat it actually is
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that’s active orally — the rare compound here you take by mouth, not by injection.
It raises GH and keeps IGF-1 elevated around the clock, amplifying your natural pulses rather than replacing them like injected HGH.
How it’s thought to work
- Ghrelin-receptor agonism — activates GHS-R1a in the pituitary to release GH.
- Sustained IGF-1 — raises IGF-1 ~40–70% and holds it for 24h.
- Preserves pulsatility — amplifies natural GH pulses, doesn’t flatline them.
- Once-daily — long action covers a full day from one dose.
What the research says
The best-evidenced compound here — extensive human trials (big GH rise, sustained IGF-1, small lean-mass gains in the elderly). Still not FDA-approved (failed as a therapeutic) and WADA-banned.
- Raises GH/IGF-1 for recovery, sleep and body comp.
- Best human data of any GH compound here.
- Popular precisely because it’s oral.
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 | 10–25 mg/day (beginners 10–15; 25 mg is the trial standard) |
| Frequency | Once daily (nightly most common) |
| Route | Oral (capsule/liquid) — NOT injected |
| Cycle | 8–12 wks on, 4–8 off; glucose is the limiter |
| Community tip | Dose at night so hunger & lethargy happen while you sleep |
Common use cases
| Goal | Community protocol notes |
|---|---|
| GH / IGF-1 support | 10–25 mg nightly, oral, 8–12 wk blocks |
| Sleep & recovery | many report deeper sleep; nightly dosing |
| Lean mass (older users) | lower-end 10–15 mg, longer runs — watch glucose |
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
No injection — MK-677 is taken orally (capsule or liquid), once a day, most commonly at night to sleep through the hunger and lethargy. Store liquid forms cool and dark.
Stacks it appears in
- Used alone — MK-677 is usually run solo — oral, and it covers the GH axis on its own.
