Side-by-side · Research reference

IpamorelinvsPinealon

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

APhase 1Reviewed21/57 cited

BHuman-MechanisticDraft12/36 cited

Ipamorelin

Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic

200–300 mcgPer doseRaun 1998

Phase 1Evidence levelRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

~2 hrHalf-lifeRaun 1998

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

Ipamorelin

Pinealon

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998

Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014

Pathway

GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998 Bowers 1991

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

Downstream effect

GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002

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

Feedback intact?

Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002

—

Origin

Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998

Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Pinealon

Standard dose

200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998

Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.

5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014

Frequency

1–3× per day

Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

100 mcg per dose

2.5 mg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)

GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.

10-day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food

No specific time

Half-life

~2 hoursRaun 1998

Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).

Hours

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Pinealon

Cortisol elevation

Negligible vs other GHRPsRaun 1998

—

Prolactin elevation

NegligibleRaun 1998

—

Hunger

Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk

—

Injection site reaction

Mild irritation possible

Mild irritation

GH excess (overdose)

Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance

—

IGF-1 elevation

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use

—

Cancer risk

Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Absolute Contraindications

Ipamorelin

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Pinealon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Ipamorelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance
·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)

Pinealon

·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Pinealon

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.

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

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.

SQ — abdomen preferred.

3. Timing

Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.

Daily during cycle, any time.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

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

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Ipamorelin

+ Tesamorelin

Strong

View Tesamorelin →

Ipamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Tesamorelin: 2 mg SQ · same injection · pre-sleep
Primary benefit: Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth

Raun 1998 Bowers 2002

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern

Teichman 2006 Ionescu 2006

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