GHRP-2
Peptide ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates growth hormone release. It is approved in Japan for diagnostic assessment of growth hormone deficiency, but it is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States and is not approved for anti-aging, bodybuilding, fat loss, or wellness protocols. Long-term therapeutic evidence is limited, and risks include appetite change, glucose effects, cortisol or prolactin elevations, edema, and WADA-prohibited status.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This safety record covers a controlled, investigational, or otherwise out-of-scope substance. It remains available for reference, but it is not part of NutriStack's public supplement publication set.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
GHRP-2 is a peptide most often used for acutely stimulates gh release in diagnostic or research settings, approved in japan for gh deficiency diagnostic testing, may increase appetite. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as insufficient. A typical adult dose is No FDA-approved human dose; Japan diagnostic use is clinic-administered and protocol-specific, commonly taken as not recommended as a supplement; use only as approved diagnostic drug where legally available or in approved research. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating insufficient. Most-documented uses: acutely stimulates gh release in diagnostic or research settings, approved in japan for gh deficiency diagnostic testing, may increase appetite. 3 sources indexed (1998–2005), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
GHRP-2 activates GHS-R1a receptors in the pituitary and hypothalamus to stimulate GH pulses through a pathway distinct from GHRH. It can also influence ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, appetite, and gastric signaling because the ghrelin receptor is not restricted to somatotrophs. Repeated dosing may attenuate GH response, and acute hormone elevation does not prove durable clinical benefit.3,1
Dosing & protocol.
Peptide use in studies is parenteral. Nonsterile or research-grade injection is unsafe.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Research peptide vial.
Research-market pricing is not a recommendation for human use. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Hunger
- Flushing
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Injection-site reaction
- Water retention
- Glucose intolerance
- Possible cortisol or prolactin elevation
Contraindications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Randomized controlled trials
1- 1Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy menLaferrere B et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism · 2005
GHRP-2 infusion increased ad libitum food intake in a small study of healthy men.
Reviews & position papers
1- 2Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN, KP-102D, KP-102LNNo authors listed · Drugs in R&D · 2004
Review summarized pralmorelin development and clinical diagnostic context.
Reference material
1- 3A five day treatment with daily subcutaneous injections of growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 causes response attenuation and does not stimulate insulin-like growth factor-I secretion in healthy young menJanssen JA et al. · Clinical Endocrinology · 1998
Daily GHRP-2 caused attenuation of GH response and did not raise IGF-1 over 5 days.
Common questions.
Quick answers about GHRP-2, drawn from the data on this page.
What is GHRP-2?
GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates growth hormone release. It is approved in Japan for diagnostic assessment of growth hormone deficiency, but it is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States and is not approved for anti-aging, bodybuilding, fat loss, or wellness protocols. Long-term therapeutic evidence is limited, and risks include appetite change, glucose effects, cortisol or prolactin elevations, edema, and WADA-prohibited status.
What is GHRP-2 used for?
Commonly cited benefits of GHRP-2 include: Acutely stimulates GH release in diagnostic or research settings; Approved in Japan for GH deficiency diagnostic testing; May increase appetite; No approved US wellness use. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as insufficient.
What is a typical dose of GHRP-2?
A typical adult dose of GHRP-2 is No FDA-approved human dose; Japan diagnostic use is clinic-administered and protocol-specific. The commonly recommended form is Not recommended as a supplement; use only as approved diagnostic drug where legally available or in approved research. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of GHRP-2?
Reported side effects include hunger, flushing, headache, sleepiness, injection-site reaction, water retention. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for GHRP-2?
NutriStack rates this as Insufficient, meaning the body of evidence reviewed in NutriStack's tiering framework. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
GHRP-2 in NutriStack.
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