Side-by-side · Research reference
GHRP-6vsTB-500
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 1Reviewed10/36 cited
BPhase 2Reviewed8/46 cited
GHRP-6
Hexapeptide GHRP · Strong appetite stimulant
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
TB-500
Thymosin β4 fragment · Healing
SQ or IM · Multiple sites · 2–3×/week
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
GHRP-6
TB-500
Primary target
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a)Bowers 1990
G-actin (sequestering) + cell-surface integrinsGoldstein 2012
Pathway
GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release; central appetite driveBowers 2002
Actin remodelling → cell migration; integrin-linked signaling → angiogenesis; anti-inflammatory cytokine modulationGoldstein 2012Malinda 1999
Downstream effect
GH pulse + strong appetite stimulation; modest IGF-1 elevationBowers 2002
Accelerated wound healing, endothelial migration, hair follicle regeneration, cardiac repair (preclinical)Goldstein 2012
Feedback intact?
—
Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies
Origin
Synthetic hexapeptide; first-generation GHRP from Bowers groupBowers 1990
17-AA active fragment of endogenous 43-AA thymosin β4 (TMSB4X gene)Goldstein 2012
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
GHRP-6
TB-500
Standard dose
100–200 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 1 + clinical practiceBowers 1990
Animal-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off
4–8 weeks loading; longer maintenance for chronic injury
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water, 1–2 mL per 5 mg vial
Timing
Pre-meal preferred for appetite support
Evening or pre-rest preferred (anecdotal)
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
GHRP-6
TB-500
Hunger
Pronounced — defining feature vs ipamorelin
—
Cortisol elevation
Mild
—
Prolactin elevation
Mild
—
Injection site reaction
Mild
Mild erythema, transient pain
Cancer risk
Contraindicated in active malignancy
Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
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-6
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
TB-500
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical angiogenesis concern)
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
GHRP-6
- ·Severe insulin resistance (appetite-driven caloric load)
TB-500
- ·Cancer history
- ·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
GHRP-6
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. Rotate sites.
SQ near injury site (preferred), or systemic SQ (abdomen). Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Pre-meal for appetite support; pre-sleep for GH alignment.
Evening or pre-sleep is most common anecdotal timing.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp. 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-6
— no documented stacks
TB-500
+ BPC-157
StrongTB-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