Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsIpamorelin

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 1Reviewed21/57 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

Ipamorelin

Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic

200–300 mcgPer doseRaun 1998

Phase 1Evidence levelRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

~2 hrHalf-lifeRaun 1998

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Ipamorelin

Primary target

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998

Pathway

NNMT inhibition → preserved cellular SAM + NAD⁺ → restored methylation balance + ↑ thermogenic gene expressionNeelakantan 2018

GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998 Bowers 1991

Downstream effect

Reversal of HFD-induced obesity in murine models; improved metabolic profileNeelakantan 2018

GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002

Origin

Selective small-molecule inhibitor designed in academic medicinal chemistry programsNeelakantan 2018

Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998

Antibody development

—

Not reported in short-term studies

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Ipamorelin

Standard dose

100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018

Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.

200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998

Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

1–3× per day

Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.

Lower / starter dose

50 mg / day

100 mcg per dose

Evidence basis

Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018

Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)

GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.

Form

Oral capsule

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food

Half-life

Hours (estimated; no human PK published)

~2 hoursRaun 1998

Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Ipamorelin

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

Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Drug interactions

Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements

—

Cortisol elevation

—

Negligible vs other GHRPsRaun 1998

Prolactin elevation

—

NegligibleRaun 1998

Hunger

—

Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation possible

GH excess (overdose)

—

Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance

IGF-1 elevation

—

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Absolute Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy

Ipamorelin

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Methylation-sensitive conditions (MTHFR mutation)
·Concurrent niacin / NAD+ precursor supplementation (theoretical interference)

Ipamorelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance
·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Ipamorelin

1. Form

Oral capsule. No injection.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.

2. Administration

Take with water, fasted preferred.

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.

3. Timing

Morning fasted.

Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.

4. Storage

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 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

Ipamorelin

+ Tesamorelin

Strong

View Tesamorelin →

Ipamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Tesamorelin: 2 mg SQ · same injection · pre-sleep
Primary benefit: Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth

Raun 1998 Bowers 2002

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern

Teichman 2006 Ionescu 2006