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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides81 plates · MIT
Side-by-side · Research reference

DihexavsGHRP-2

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED7/28 cited
BPhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED15/42 cited
Dihexa
Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical
Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage
Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014
HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015
Not established — animal studies only
GHRP-2
Hexapeptide GHRP · Phase 2 (clinical diagnostic)
100–300 mcgPer doseBowers 1990
Phase 2Evidence levelBowers 1990Sigalos 2018
~30 minHalf-lifeMalagón 1999
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
Dihexa
GHRP-2
Primary target
c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryBowers 1990
Pathway
HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization
GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisBowers 2002
Downstream effect
Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models
Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; appetite increase via ghrelin agonismBowers 2002
Feedback intact?
Yes, with somatostatin feedback active
Origin
Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015
Synthetic hexapeptide; developed by Bowers/Tulane group in the 1980sBowers 1990
Antibody development

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
Dihexa
GHRP-2
Human dosing
Not established — no human trials
Animal studies
Mouse/rat models only — dosing not translatable to humans
Evidence basis
Pre-clinical / Rodent models
Phase 2 + clinical diagnostic useBowers 1990
Clinical status
No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published
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

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
Dihexa
GHRP-2
Human safety data
None available — no human clinical trials
Theoretical c-Met risks
c-Met receptor activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis; unknown cancer risk profile
Pre-clinical tolerability
Not systematically reported in available studies
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
Dihexa
  • ·Not approved for human use — research compound only
GHRP-2
  • ·Active malignancy
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
Dihexa
  • ·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)
GHRP-2
  • ·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
Dihexa
GHRP-2
1. Human administration
No established protocol. Dihexa has not been tested in human subjects. Animal studies used various routes (typically subcutaneous or intraperitoneal in rodents) not translatable to clinical use.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL.
2. Legal status
Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Dihexa
— 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