Side-by-side · Research reference

HexarelinvsTB-500

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

APhase 1Reviewed19/45 cited

BPhase 2Reviewed8/46 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

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

Hexarelin

TB-500

Primary target

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

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

Pathway

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

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

Downstream effect

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

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

Feedback intact?

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies

Origin

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

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

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Hexarelin

TB-500

Standard dose

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

2 mg per injectionGoldstein 2012

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

Frequency

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

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

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

1 mg per injection

Evidence basis

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Animal-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012

Duration

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

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

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

~2 hours (estimated; tissue uptake longer)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Hexarelin

TB-500

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)

Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Injection site reaction

—

Mild erythema, transient pain

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

Hexarelin

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

TB-500

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

Relative Contraindications

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

TB-500

·Cancer history
·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Hexarelin

TB-500

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 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. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

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

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

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