Side-by-side · Research reference

HexarelinvsIGF-DES

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

APhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED19/45 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED8/60 cited

Hexarelin

Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic

100–200 mcgPer doseSmith 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelGhigo 1997

~70 minHalf-lifeSemenistaya 2010

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

IGF-DES

IGF-1 Analogue · Truncated N-Terminal

~10×Potency vs IGF-1

ReducedIGFBP binding

ResearchStatus

Injection (local or systemic) · Research protocols onlyBredehöft 2008

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Hexarelin

IGF-DES

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996 Ghigo 1997

IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R)Shields 2007

Pathway

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997

IGF1R activation → PI3K/Akt & MAPK signaling → protein synthesis, proliferation

Downstream effect

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997

Enhanced muscle protein synthesis, myoblast differentiation, reduced apoptosis, cell proliferation

Feedback intact?

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Unknown — no human endocrine feedback data

Origin

Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996

Synthetic truncation of native IGF-1 — removal of N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptideBredehöft 2008

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Hexarelin

IGF-DES

Standard dose

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

—

Frequency

1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)

Variable — daily to multiple times daily in research

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

—

Evidence basis

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Animal models + in vitro only

Duration

4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

—

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

—

Half-life

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

Shorter than IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding

Rapid tissue uptake, limited systemic circulation.

Research dose range

—

10–100 ng/mL (in vitro); μg doses (animal models)

Highly context-dependent; no standardized human protocol.

Route

—

Subcutaneous or intramuscular (local injection favored)

Local delivery maximizes tissue-specific uptake.

Human data

—

None — no clinical trials

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

Hexarelin

IGF-DES

Primary mechanism

—

Indirect via muscle hypertrophy → metabolic rate elevation

Direct lipolysis

—

Minimal evidence — IGF-1 axis primarily anabolic, not lipolytic

Prostate model

—

Inhibited BPH cell proliferation when combined with vitamin D3 analogueCrescioli 2002

Context-specific anti-proliferative effect, not fat loss.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Hexarelin

IGF-DES

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

—

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Theoretical — IGF-1 axis enhances glucose uptake

Mitogenic risk

—

Chronic IGF-1 receptor activation may promote cell proliferation, potential tumor growthCrescioli 2002

Injection site reaction

—

Expected — erythema, irritation, local swelling

Edema / Fluid retention

—

Possible via sodium retention (IGF-1 axis effect)

Human safety data

—

Absent — no human trials, all effects theoretical or extrapolated

Unknown long-term effects

—

No chronic dosing studies in humans; endocrine, metabolic consequences unknown

Absolute Contraindications

Hexarelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

IGF-DES

·Active malignancy or history of cancer (mitogenic risk)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)
·Hypoglycemia disorders

Relative Contraindications

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

IGF-DES

·Diabetes mellitus (unpredictable glucose effects)
·Renal or hepatic impairment (clearance unknown)
·Edema-prone conditions (heart failure, nephrotic syndrome)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Hexarelin

IGF-DES

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.

Des(1-3)IGF-1 has no approved human protocol. All administration details are derived from animal or in vitro research and should not be construed as medical guidance.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Sterile water or bacteriostatic water per research protocol. Gently swirl; do not shake. Store reconstituted peptide at 2–8 °C.

3. Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh) or intramuscular (deltoid, vastus lateralis). Local injection to target tissue (e.g., muscle group) may enhance regional uptake.

4. Storage

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

Frequency and timing vary by research design. Post-exercise or fasted state may theoretically enhance muscle uptake.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

27–31G insulin syringe for subcutaneous; 25–27G for intramuscular.

6. Monitoring

—

Glucose monitoring essential (hypoglycemia risk). No established IGF-1 or safety labs for human use.

06Stack Synergy

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)

Smith 1996 Teichman 2006

IGF-DES

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

Des(1-3)IGF-1 promotes myoblast differentiation and protein synthesis, while BPC-157 enhances tissue repair, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Both act on distinct pathways (IGF1R vs gastric pentadecapeptide mechanisms) to support muscle recovery and connective tissue integrity. Synergy is mechanistic but lacks direct co-administration studies.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ, daily or twice daily
Frequency: Daily or per research protocol
Primary benefit: Accelerated muscle repair, enhanced hypertrophy, connective tissue support

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing via actin regulation. Des(1-3)IGF-1 drives protein synthesis and myoblast proliferation. Combined, these peptides may synergistically enhance muscle recovery, repair, and hypertrophy through complementary anabolic and regenerative pathways. No direct human co-administration data.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ, 2× weekly
Frequency: Per research cycle
Primary benefit: Muscle hypertrophy, injury recovery, vascular support