Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsGHRP-2

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

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited

BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED15/42 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

GHRP-2

Hexapeptide GHRP · Phase 2 (clinical diagnostic)

100–300 mcgPer doseBowers 1990

Phase 2Evidence levelBowers 1990 Sigalos 2018

~30 minHalf-lifeMalagón 1999

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cortagen

GHRP-2

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryBowers 1990

Pathway

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisBowers 2002

Downstream effect

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; appetite increase via ghrelin agonismBowers 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Yes, with somatostatin feedback active

Origin

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

Synthetic hexapeptide; developed by Bowers/Tulane group in the 1980sBowers 1990

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

GHRP-2

Animal model dose (rat)

Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)

Multiple injections over study period.

—

Avian model dose (chicken)

40-day injection courseKuznik 2008

Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.

—

Human peripheral nerve study

Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)

Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.

—

Evidence basis

Animal mechanistic studies

Phase 2 + clinical diagnostic useBowers 1990

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

Standard dose

—

100–300 mcg per injectionBowers 1990

Frequency

—

1–3× per day

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Duration

—

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Half-life

—

~30 minMalagón 1999

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cortagen

GHRP-2

Antioxidant suppression

Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007

Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.

—

Immune/hemostasis effects

No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008

Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.

—

Human safety data

No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context

Limited detail in available abstracts.

—

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

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Cortagen

—

GHRP-2

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

GHRP-2

·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

GHRP-2

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

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

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Cortagen

— 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

Bowers 1990 Teichman 2006