Side-by-side · Research reference

DihexavsIpamorelin

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-REVIEWED21/57 cited

Dihexa

Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical

Pre-clinicalDevelopment stage

Rodent onlyEvidence basisBenoist 2014

HGF/c-MetTarget systemWright 2015

Not established — animal studies only

Ipamorelin

Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic

200–300 mcgPer doseRaun 1998

Phase 1Evidence levelRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

~2 hrHalf-lifeRaun 1998

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Dihexa

Ipamorelin

Primary target

c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998

Pathway

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

GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998 Bowers 1991

Downstream effect

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

GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002

Origin

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

Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998

Antibody development

—

Not reported in short-term studies

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Dihexa

Ipamorelin

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 practiceRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

Clinical status

No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published

—

Standard dose

—

200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998

Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.

Frequency

—

1–3× per day

Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.

Lower / starter dose

—

100 mcg per dose

Duration

—

8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)

GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial

Timing

—

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food

Half-life

—

~2 hoursRaun 1998

Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Dihexa

Ipamorelin

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

—

Negligible vs other GHRPsRaun 1998

Prolactin elevation

—

NegligibleRaun 1998

Hunger

—

Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation possible

GH excess (overdose)

—

Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance

IGF-1 elevation

—

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

—

Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Dihexa

·Not approved for human use — research compound only

Ipamorelin

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

Dihexa

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

Ipamorelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance
·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Dihexa

Ipamorelin

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. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.

2. Legal status

Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.

3. Timing

—

Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.

4. Storage

—

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Dihexa

— no documented stacks

Ipamorelin

+ Tesamorelin

Strong

View Tesamorelin →

Ipamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Tesamorelin: 2 mg SQ · same injection · pre-sleep
Primary benefit: Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth

Raun 1998 Bowers 2002

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern

Teichman 2006 Ionescu 2006