Side-by-side · Research reference

CardiogenvsHexarelin

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

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED5/46 cited

BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED19/45 cited

Cardiogen

Bioregulator · Cardiac

CardiacTissue target

Gene regulationMechanism

AnimalEvidence level

SQ · Variable protocols

Hexarelin

Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic

100–200 mcgPer doseSmith 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelGhigo 1997

~70 minHalf-lifeSemenistaya 2010

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cardiogen

Hexarelin

Primary target

Cardiovascular cell gene expressionKhavinson 2022

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Pathway

Peptide bioregulation → modulation of SASP / inflammaging → cardiac tissue homeostasisKhavinson 2022

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997

Downstream effect

Suppression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), reduction of age-related inflammatory markers, modulation of heat shock protein expression in cardiac tissue

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997

Feedback intact?

Presumed — peptide bioregulators act via gene regulation, not receptor agonism

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Origin

Derived from cardiac tissue peptide extracts; synthetic analogue based on Khavinson bioregulator methodology

Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cardiogen

Hexarelin

Standard dose

Variable — typically 10–20 mg per course

No standardised human protocol; animal-derived dosing.

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

Frequency

Intermittent courses — 10–20 days, repeated periodically

Khavinson-school bioregulators typically dosed as periodic interventions, not continuous.

1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)

Evidence basis

Animal models / mechanistic studies

No Phase 1+ human trials in PubMed.

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Route

Subcutaneous injection

—

Duration

10–20 day courses, repeated 2–4× per year

Russian geriatric protocols; unclear extrapolation to general populations.

4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Half-life

—

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cardiogen

Hexarelin

Injection site reactions

Mild erythema, induration (presumed)

—

Systemic adverse events

No documented serious AEs in available literature

Very limited safety data; no rigorous pharmacovigilance.

—

Immunogenicity

Unknown — no antibody development studies published

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no extended human trials indexed in PubMed

—

Cortisol elevation

—

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Prolactin elevation

—

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Hunger

—

Strong appetite increase via ghrelin agonism

Tachyphylaxis

—

Receptor desensitisation with chronic dosingGhigo 1997

Cardiac effects

—

Direct cardio-tropic; potential benefit in MI but unstudied in humansGhigo 1997

IGF-1 elevation

—

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Cardiogen

·Active malignancy (theoretical peptide growth factor concern)
·Hypersensitivity to peptide components

Hexarelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

Cardiogen

·Acute cardiac events (no safety data in acute MI, unstable angina)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no reproductive toxicity data)

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cardiogen

Hexarelin

1. Reconstitution

Add sterile water or saline per manufacturer instructions (typically 1–2 mL per lyophilised vial). Roll gently to dissolve.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Use sterile technique.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Variable — often evening injection. No established circadian preference.

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: refrigerate 2–8 °C, protect from light. Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate, discard after 7–14 days per labeling.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

27–30G insulin syringe, 45° angle for subcutaneous administration.

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Cardiogen

+ Thymalin

Moderate

View Thymalin →

Khavinson-school multi-organ bioregulator approach: thymalin (thymic peptide) addresses immune senescence while cardiogen targets cardiac tissue. Combined use in geriatric populations demonstrated normalisation of cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune parameters with reduced mortality over 6–8 years of observation.

Cardiogen: 10–20 mg SQ · 10–20 day course
Thymalin: 10–30 mg IM · concurrent or sequential courses
Frequency: 2–4 courses per year
Primary benefit: Multi-system aging mitigation, cardiovascular and immune homeostasis

Hexarelin

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

Hexarelin (GHRP) + CJC-1295-no-DAC (GHRH analogue) is the higher-amplitude variant of the standard GHRH+GHRP stack. Hexarelin produces a stronger pulse than ipamorelin but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose this stack for maximum GH amplitude when side-effect tolerance is acceptable. Cycle aggressively.

Hexarelin: 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Maximum GH pulse amplitude (with side-effect signal)

Smith 1996 Teichman 2006