Side-by-side · Research reference

CartalaxvsHexarelin

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

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED10/32 cited

BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED19/45 cited

Cartalax

Bioregulator Peptide · Khavinson School

CartilagePrimary tissuePovorozniuk 2007

MSC → ChondrocyteDifferentiation axisLinkova 2023

BMD ↑Bone density effectPovorozniuk 2007

SQ · Protocol Unspecified

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

Cartalax

Hexarelin

Primary target

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergoing chondrogenic differentiationLinkova 2023

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

Pathway

Modulation of WNT, ERK-p38, and Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathwaysLinkova 2023

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

Downstream effect

Upregulation of chondrogenic genes (COL2, SOX9, ACAN); increased bone mineral density; osteoprotective effects in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosisLinkova 2023 Povorozniuk 2007

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

Feedback intact?

—

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Origin

Derived from cartilaginous tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)Povorozniuk 2007

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

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cartalax

Hexarelin

Animal model dose

Unspecified (cartilaginous tissue extract protocol)

Rat study; extract preparation details not indexed in available abstracts.

—

Human dosing

Not established in PubMed-indexed literature

Russian-tradition protocols exist but lack peer-reviewed Western validation.

—

Evidence basis

Animal mechanistic studies only

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Standard dose

—

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

Frequency

—

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

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Duration

—

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

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Half-life

—

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

Cartalax

Hexarelin

Fat loss evidence

None — primary target is cartilage and bone tissue, not adipose

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cartalax

Hexarelin

Documented adverse effects

None reported in indexed animal studies

—

Human safety data

Not available in PubMed-indexed literature

—

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

Cartalax

·Unknown due to lack of human clinical trial data

Hexarelin

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

Relative Contraindications

Cartalax

·Active malignancy (theoretical; peptide bioregulators may influence cell proliferation pathways)

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cartalax

Hexarelin

1. Route

Subcutaneous injection typical for Khavinson bioregulators; specific protocols not detailed in indexed literature.

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

2. Frequency

Russian-tradition protocols often employ 10-day cycles; precise frequency unspecified in available abstracts.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Storage

Lyophilised peptide bioregulators typically stored at 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstitution details not indexed.

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

4. Storage

—

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

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Cartalax

— no documented stacks

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