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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsGHRP-2

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongDraft8/38 cited
BPhase 2Reviewed15/42 cited
5-Amino-1MQ
NNMT inhibitor · Methylation / SAM modulation
100–200 mgDaily dose (oral)Neelakantan 2018
AnimalEvidence levelNeelakantan 2018
HoursHalf-life (est)
Oral · Once daily fasted
GHRP-2
Hexapeptide GHRP · Phase 2 (clinical diagnostic)
100–300 mcgPer doseBowers 1990
Phase 2Evidence levelBowers 1990Sigalos 2018
~30 minHalf-lifeMalagón 1999
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
GHRP-2
Primary target
Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryBowers 1990
Pathway
NNMT inhibition → preserved cellular SAM + NAD⁺ → restored methylation balance + ↑ thermogenic gene expressionNeelakantan 2018
GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisBowers 2002
Downstream effect
Reversal of HFD-induced obesity in murine models; improved metabolic profileNeelakantan 2018
Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; appetite increase via ghrelin agonismBowers 2002
Feedback intact?
Yes, with somatostatin feedback active
Origin
Selective small-molecule inhibitor designed in academic medicinal chemistry programsNeelakantan 2018
Synthetic hexapeptide; developed by Bowers/Tulane group in the 1980sBowers 1990
Antibody development

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
GHRP-2
Standard dose
100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018
Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.
100–300 mcg per injectionBowers 1990
Frequency
Once daily, fasted
1–3× per day
Lower / starter dose
50 mg / day
50 mcg per dose
Evidence basis
Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018
Phase 2 + clinical diagnostic useBowers 1990
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
Form
Oral capsule
Timing
Morning fasted preferred
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
Half-life
Hours (estimated; no human PK published)
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
GHRP-2
GI symptoms
Mild nausea (anecdotal)
Methylation disruption
Theoretical risk if NNMT is over-inhibited (B vitamin metabolism)
Long-term safety
Unknown — no human trials
Cancer risk
Unclear — NNMT also studied in oncology contexts
Contraindicated in active malignancy
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
Drug interactions
Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements
Cortisol elevation
Mild but measurableBowers 1990
Prolactin elevation
Mild but measurable
Hunger
Strong appetite increase
Injection site reaction
Mild erythema
IGF-1 elevation
Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use
Absolute Contraindications
5-Amino-1MQ
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • ·Active malignancy
GHRP-2
  • ·Active malignancy
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
5-Amino-1MQ
  • ·Methylation-sensitive conditions (MTHFR mutation)
  • ·Concurrent niacin / NAD+ precursor supplementation (theoretical interference)
GHRP-2
  • ·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
GHRP-2
1. Form
Oral capsule. No injection.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.
2. Administration
Take with water, fasted preferred.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Morning fasted.
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred.
4. Storage
Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Caveat
Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

5-Amino-1MQ
— no documented stacks
GHRP-2
+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Strong
View CJC-1295 (no DAC)

GHRP-2 + CJC-1295-no-DAC is a higher-amplitude alternative to the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 stack. GHRP-2 produces a stronger pulse but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose when maximum GH amplitude is the goal and the side-effect tolerance is acceptable.

GHRP-2
100–200 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit
High-amplitude GH pulse, body composition