Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| GHRP-6 | Humanin | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 100-300 mcg administered 1-3 times daily via subcutaneous injection. | Research indicates dosing remains experimental. Animal studies use 1-10 mcg/day equivalents. Human protocols are not established. |
| Timing | On empty stomach, 30+ minutes before meals. Bedtime dose most important. The strong hunger effect makes pre-meal timing practical. | No established timing protocol. Morning dosing suggested for neuroprotective applications. |
| Cycle Duration | 8-16 week cycles. | Experimental — no established cycle lengths. |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | animal_plus_anecdotal |
GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6) is a synthetic hexapeptide that stimulates GH release through activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a/ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs. It acts via dual sites — pituitary and hypothalamic — possibly involving regulatory factors beyond GHRH and somatostatin. GHRP-6 also stimulates ghrelin-mediated appetite signaling, increases cortisol and prolactin release, and has demonstrated cytoprotective properties including cardioprotection.
Research indicates 100-300 mcg administered 1-3 times daily via subcutaneous injection.
On empty stomach, 30+ minutes before meals. Bedtime dose most important. The strong hunger effect makes pre-meal timing practical.
8-16 week cycles.
Humanin is a 24-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the 16S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. It binds IGFBP-3 with high affinity (via Phe-6), interfering with IGFBP-3 binding to importin-beta and suppressing IGFBP-3-mediated apoptosis. It also inhibits the pro-apoptotic protein Bax (Bcl-2 family), preventing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and intrinsic apoptosis. Humanin and IGFBP-3 synergistically protect neurons from amyloid-beta-induced apoptosis, and it activates the STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways for cytoprotection.
Research indicates dosing remains experimental. Animal studies use 1-10 mcg/day equivalents. Human protocols are not established.
No established timing protocol. Morning dosing suggested for neuroprotective applications.
Experimental — no established cycle lengths.
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