Side-by-side · Research reference

DihexavsGHRP-6

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 1HUMAN-REVIEWED10/36 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-6

Hexapeptide GHRP · Strong appetite stimulant

100–200 mcgPer doseBowers 1990

Phase 1Evidence levelBowers 1990

~15 minHalf-lifeMalagón 1999

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Dihexa

GHRP-6

Primary target

c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a)Bowers 1990

Pathway

HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release; central appetite driveBowers 2002

Downstream effect

Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models

GH pulse + strong appetite stimulation; modest IGF-1 elevationBowers 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015

Synthetic hexapeptide; first-generation GHRP from Bowers groupBowers 1990

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Dihexa

GHRP-6

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 1 + clinical practiceBowers 1990

Clinical status

No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published

—

Standard dose

—

100–200 mcg per injectionBowers 1990

Frequency

—

1–3× per day

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Duration

—

8–12 weeks on / 4 off

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Pre-meal preferred for appetite support

Half-life

—

~15 minMalagón 1999

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Dihexa

GHRP-6

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

—

Hunger

—

Pronounced — defining feature vs ipamorelin

Cortisol elevation

—

Mild

Prolactin elevation

—

Mild

Injection site reaction

—

Mild

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Dihexa

·Not approved for human use — research compound only

GHRP-6

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Dihexa

·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)

GHRP-6

·Severe insulin resistance (appetite-driven caloric load)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Dihexa

GHRP-6

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. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

—

Pre-meal for appetite support; pre-sleep for GH alignment.

4. Storage

—

Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.