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

DihexavsHexarelin

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-REVIEWED19/45 cited
Dihexa
Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical
Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage
Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014
HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015
Not established — animal studies only
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
Dihexa
Hexarelin
Primary target
c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996Ghigo 1997
Pathway
HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization
GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997
Downstream effect
Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models
Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997
Feedback intact?
Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997
Origin
Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015
Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996
Antibody development

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
Dihexa
Hexarelin
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 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996Ghigo 1997
Clinical status
No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published
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

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
Dihexa
Hexarelin
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
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
Dihexa
  • ·Not approved for human use — research compound only
Hexarelin
  • ·Active malignancy
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
Dihexa
  • ·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)
Hexarelin
  • ·Untreated diabetes
  • ·Severe hyperprolactinemia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
Dihexa
Hexarelin
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 = 250 mcg per 0.1 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. 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

Dihexa
— 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)