Side-by-side · Research reference

GHRP-6vsPinealon

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

APhase 1Reviewed10/36 cited

BHuman-MechanisticDraft12/36 cited

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

Pinealon

Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2014

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2014

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

GHRP-6

Pinealon

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a)Bowers 1990

Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014

Pathway

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

Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014

Downstream effect

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

Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

Synthetic hexapeptide; first-generation GHRP from Bowers groupBowers 1990

Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

GHRP-6

Pinealon

Standard dose

100–200 mcg per injectionBowers 1990

5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014

Frequency

1–3× per day

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

2.5 mg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 1 + clinical practiceBowers 1990

Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off

10-day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

Pre-meal preferred for appetite support

No specific time

Half-life

~15 minMalagón 1999

Hours

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

GHRP-6

Pinealon

Hunger

Pronounced — defining feature vs ipamorelin

—

Cortisol elevation

Mild

—

Prolactin elevation

Mild

—

Injection site reaction

Mild

Mild irritation

Cancer risk

Contraindicated in active malignancy

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Absolute Contraindications

GHRP-6

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Pinealon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

GHRP-6

·Severe insulin resistance (appetite-driven caloric load)

Pinealon

·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

GHRP-6

Pinealon

1. Reconstitution

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

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen preferred.

3. Timing

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

Daily during cycle, any time.

4. Storage

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

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

GHRP-6

— no documented stacks

Pinealon

+ Epitalon

Moderate

View Epitalon →

Pinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.

Pinealon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
Epitalon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
Primary benefit: Neuroprotection + telomere preservation

Khavinson 2014 Khavinson 2003