Side-by-side · Research reference

GHRP-2vsTB-500

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

APhase 2Reviewed15/42 cited

BPhase 2Reviewed8/46 cited

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

TB-500

Thymosin β4 fragment · Healing

2 mgPer doseGoldstein 2012

Phase 2Evidence levelGoldstein 2012

~2 hrHalf-life

SQ or IM · Multiple sites · 2–3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

GHRP-2

TB-500

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryBowers 1990

G-actin (sequestering) + cell-surface integrinsGoldstein 2012

Pathway

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

Actin remodelling → cell migration; integrin-linked signaling → angiogenesis; anti-inflammatory cytokine modulationGoldstein 2012 Malinda 1999

Downstream effect

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

Accelerated wound healing, endothelial migration, hair follicle regeneration, cardiac repair (preclinical)Goldstein 2012

Feedback intact?

Yes, with somatostatin feedback active

Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies

Origin

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

17-AA active fragment of endogenous 43-AA thymosin β4 (TMSB4X gene)Goldstein 2012

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

GHRP-2

TB-500

Standard dose

100–300 mcg per injectionBowers 1990

2 mg per injectionGoldstein 2012

Anecdotal community range; clinical Phase 2 trials used 70–840 mcg/kg IV.

Frequency

1–3× per day

2× per week (loading); then 1× per week (maintenance)

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

1 mg per injection

Evidence basis

Phase 2 + clinical diagnostic useBowers 1990

Animal-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

4–8 weeks loading; longer maintenance for chronic injury

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Bacteriostatic water, 1–2 mL per 5 mg vial

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Evening or pre-rest preferred (anecdotal)

Half-life

~30 minMalagón 1999

~2 hours (estimated; tissue uptake longer)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

GHRP-2

TB-500

Cortisol elevation

Mild but measurableBowers 1990

—

Prolactin elevation

Mild but measurable

—

Hunger

Strong appetite increase

—

Injection site reaction

Mild erythema

Mild erythema, transient pain

IGF-1 elevation

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

—

Cancer risk

Contraindicated in active malignancy

Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

GI symptoms

—

Rare nausea (anecdotal)

Lethargy / fatigue

—

Reported anecdotally during loading phase

Antibody formation

—

No data (no long-term human trials)

Long-term safety

—

Unknown beyond Phase 2

Absolute Contraindications

GHRP-2

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

TB-500

·Active malignancy (theoretical angiogenesis concern)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

GHRP-2

·Untreated diabetes

TB-500

·Cancer history
·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

GHRP-2

TB-500

1. Reconstitution

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

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5–5 mg/mL. Roll gently.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ near injury site (preferred), or systemic SQ (abdomen). Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred.

Evening or pre-sleep is most common anecdotal timing.

4. Storage

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

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

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

27–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

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

TB-500

+ BPC-157

Strong

View BPC-157 →

TB-500 and BPC-157 cover complementary halves of tissue repair: BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2-driven angiogenesis and fibroblast outgrowth; TB-500 sequesters G-actin to enable endothelial / epithelial migration. The anecdotal canonical "healing stack" — pairs especially well for tendon and ligament injuries.

TB-500: 2 mg SQ · 2× per week
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Primary benefit: Combined angiogenesis + cell migration for tendon/ligament/muscle repair