Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| GHRP-2 | SS-31 (Elamipretide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 100-300 mcg administered 1-3 times daily via subcutaneous injection. | Research indicates 0.05-0.25 mg/kg daily via subcutaneous injection. Clinical trials used 4-40 mg/day IV or SC. |
| Timing | On empty stomach, bedtime administration preferred. Wait 2+ hours after last meal. | Morning dosing preferred. No food timing restrictions. |
| Cycle Duration | 8-16 week cycles. | Clinical trials ranged from single dose to 48 weeks. Optimal cycle length not established. |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | Emerging (Phase 2/3 trials) |
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2) is a synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist that is the most potent of the GHRP family for GH release. It stimulates pituitary GH secretion through the ghrelin receptor while also modulating hypothalamic GHRH and somatostatin pathways. GHRP-2 increases GH, cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH release, but with less appetite stimulation than GHRP-6. It also has demonstrated anxiolytic properties and sleep-promoting effects.
Research indicates 100-300 mcg administered 1-3 times daily via subcutaneous injection.
On empty stomach, bedtime administration preferred. Wait 2+ hours after last meal.
8-16 week cycles.
SS-31 (D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, also known as elamipretide/Bendavia) is a cell-permeable tetrapeptide that localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds cardiolipin via electrostatic interactions. This stabilizes cardiolipin against oxidative damage, preserving cristae integrity, reducing ROS production, and maintaining mitochondrial ATP production. SS-31 interacts with proteins in two functional groups: oxidative phosphorylation complexes and 2-oxoglutarate metabolic enzymes — all known cardiolipin binders. It restores mitochondrial function without acting as a direct antioxidant.
Research indicates 0.05-0.25 mg/kg daily via subcutaneous injection. Clinical trials used 4-40 mg/day IV or SC.
Morning dosing preferred. No food timing restrictions.
Clinical trials ranged from single dose to 48 weeks. Optimal cycle length not established.
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