Side-by-side · Research reference
AOD-9604vsGHRP-6
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 2Reviewed10/47 cited
BPhase 1Reviewed10/36 cited
AOD-9604
HGH 176-191 · β3-AR Lipolytic
SQ · Abdomen · Daily fasted
GHRP-6
Hexapeptide GHRP · Strong appetite stimulant
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
AOD-9604
GHRP-6
Pathway
β3-AR activation → cAMP → hormone-sensitive lipase activation → triglyceride breakdown to FFA + glycerolNg 2008
GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release; central appetite driveBowers 2002
Downstream effect
Lipolysis of adipose tissue triglycerides; FFA release for oxidation; minimal IGF-1 / insulin impactHeffernan 2001
GH pulse + strong appetite stimulation; modest IGF-1 elevationBowers 2002
Feedback intact?
No GH-axis or IGF-1 feedback
—
Origin
Synthetic modified C-terminal hexadecapeptide fragment of human GH (176-191) with N-terminal Tyr substitutionNg 2008
Synthetic hexapeptide; first-generation GHRP from Bowers groupBowers 1990
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
AOD-9604
GHRP-6
Standard dose
250–300 mcg / dayHeffernan 2001
Anecdotal SQ range. Phase 2 trial dose 1 mg/day oral.
100–200 mcg per injectionBowers 1990
Frequency
Once daily, fasted
1–3× per day
Lower / starter dose
150 mcg / day
50 mcg per dose
Evidence basis
Phase 2 trials + animal-strongHeffernan 2001Ng 2008
Phase 1 + clinical practiceBowers 1990
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
8–12 weeks on / 4 off
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water, 1 mL per 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
Morning fasted preferred (pre-cardio)
Aligns with circadian lipolysis.
Pre-meal preferred for appetite support
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
AOD-9604
GHRP-6
Injection site reaction
Mild erythema
Mild
GI symptoms
Rare mild nausea
—
Cardiovascular
Possible mild HR increase via β3-AR (theoretical β1 cross-reactivity)
—
Cancer risk
No GH/IGF-1 axis activity → lower theoretical risk vs HGH
Contraindicated in active malignancy
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
Hunger
—
Pronounced — defining feature vs ipamorelin
Cortisol elevation
—
Mild
Prolactin elevation
—
Mild
Absolute Contraindications
AOD-9604
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Severe cardiovascular disease (caution with β-receptor agonists)
GHRP-6
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
AOD-9604
- ·Concurrent β-blocker therapy (theoretical antagonism)
- ·Pheochromocytoma
GHRP-6
- ·Severe insulin resistance (appetite-driven caloric load)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
AOD-9604
GHRP-6
1. Reconstitution
Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL = 200 mcg per 0.1 mL.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.
SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Morning, fasted, ideally pre-cardio for amplified fat oxidation.
Pre-meal for appetite support; pre-sleep for GH alignment.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
AOD-9604
+ MOTS-c
ModerateAOD-9604 mobilises FFAs from adipose via β3-AR; MOTS-c upregulates AMPK / PGC-1α / FAO machinery so that mobilised FFAs are efficiently oxidised. The pathways are sequential — supply (AOD) plus demand (MOTS-c) — and produce more durable lipolytic effects than either alone in anecdotal protocols.
- AOD-9604
- 250–300 mcg SQ · morning fasted (daily)
- MOTS-c
- 5 mg SQ · 2–3× per week (pre-workout)
- Primary benefit
- Fat mobilisation + mitochondrial oxidation, no IGF-1 concern
GHRP-6
— no documented stacks