Growth Hormone Secretagogue
Also known as: GHS · GH secretagogue · ghrelin mimetic
A compound that triggers endogenous growth hormone release from the pituitary, typically by activating the ghrelin/GHS-R1a receptor.
Growth hormone secretagogues bind the GHS-R1a receptor (the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs and trigger a pulsatile release of endogenous GH. This mechanism is fundamentally different from exogenous GH administration — pulsatile secretion preserves natural feedback loops, whereas continuous exogenous GH suppresses them.
Compounds in this class include Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and Hexarelin. They are typically stacked with a GHRH analog (CJC-1295, Tesamorelin, Sermorelin) because the two mechanisms act on different receptors and produce a larger combined GH pulse than either alone.
Related Terms
GHRH Analog
A synthetic peptide that mimics endogenous growth hormone releasing hormone at the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs.
Stack
A combination of two or more peptides used concurrently to produce additive or synergistic effects on a research target.
Receptor Agonist
A molecule that binds to a receptor and triggers the same biological response as the endogenous ligand.
Longevity Peptide
A class of peptides researched for effects on cellular aging markers, mitochondrial function, telomere maintenance, and healthspan extension.
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