Source comparison
HGH Alternative Peptides 2026 Update: Comparison
CJC-1295 (with DAC) GHRH receptor agonist. Stimulates pituitary GH release 6–8 days Twice weekly (subcutaneous) Sustained GH elevation, anabolic signaling, lipolysis Minimal Best for protocols requiring steady-state GH elevation without daily dosing; synergise
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- CJC-1295 (with DAC)
- GHRH receptor agonist. Stimulates pituitary GH release
- 6–8 days
- Twice weekly (subcutaneous)
- Sustained GH elevation, anabolic signaling, lipolysis
- Minimal
- Best for protocols requiring steady-state GH elevation without daily dosing; synergises with ghrelin mimetics like ipamorelin
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- GHRH receptor agonist. Rapid pulsatile GH release
- 30 minutes
- 2–3 times daily (subcutaneous)
- Pulsatile GH research, tight temporal control
- Preferred when precise timing of GH pulses matters; more labor-intensive than DAC version
- Ipamorelin
- Ghrelin receptor agonist (GHS-R1a). Selective for GH without cortisol/prolactin elevation
- 2 hours
- GH-specific metabolic and anabolic research
- Cleanest ghrelin mimetic for isolating GH effects; standard stack partner with CJC-1295
- MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
- Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist. 24-hour GH and IGF-1 elevation
- 24 hours
- Once daily (oral)
- Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation, convenience over injections
- High (unavoidable ghrelin agonism)
- Best for single-compound protocols where appetite increase is acceptable; oral bioavailability simplifies administration
- Hexarelin
- Ghrelin receptor agonist. High-potency GH release
- 70–90 minutes
- 1–2 times daily (subcutaneous)
- High-amplitude GH pulse research, cardioprotection studies
- Moderate
- Potent but carries cardiac receptor binding; less commonly used in 2026 due to safety questions in sustained protocols
- Exogenous rhGH
- Direct GH replacement. Bypasses pituitary
- 3–4 hours (sustained formulations exist)
- Daily (subcutaneous)
- Direct GH supplementation studies, pituitary-independent models
- Gold standard for bypassing endogenous GH production; suppresses natural pulsatility and can induce pituitary atrophy over time