Source comparison
MK-677 Myths Cost Money Health: Research Compound Comparison
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) Ghrelin receptor agonist. Stimulates endogenous GH pulses 25mg once daily +40–60% from baseline Moderate. Fasting glucose rises 8–12 mg/dL in most users Moderate. Transient cortisol spike with each GH pulse Best for researchers prioritizing
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
- Ghrelin receptor agonist. Stimulates endogenous GH pulses
- 25mg once daily
- +40–60% from baseline
- Moderate. Fasting glucose rises 8–12 mg/dL in most users
- Moderate. Transient cortisol spike with each GH pulse
- Best for researchers prioritizing sleep quality and steady IGF-1 elevation without injections; requires glucose monitoring in users with baseline HbA1c >5.4%
- CJC-1295/Ipamorelin
- GHRH analog + ghrelin mimetic. Amplifies natural GH pulse amplitude
- 100mcg/100mcg 1–2× daily
- +50–80% from baseline
- Low. Minimal direct glucose effect when dosed away from meals
- Low. Designed to mimic physiologic pulses without supraphysiologic cortisol
- Preferred for users seeking pulsatile GH elevation without 24-hour ghrelin receptor activation; requires subcutaneous injection
- Exogenous GH (rHGH)
- Direct GH replacement. Bypasses endogenous regulation
- 2–4 IU daily
- +100–200% (dose-dependent)
- High. Pronounced insulin resistance at doses >4 IU daily
- Variable. Depends on dose timing relative to cortisol circadian rhythm
- Gold standard for maximal anabolic effect; highest cost and regulatory scrutiny; not comparable to secretagogues in risk profile
- Hexarelin
- Synthetic ghrelin analog. Stronger GH pulse than MK-677 but shorter half-life
- 100–200mcg 2× daily
- +60–90% from baseline (acute pulses)
- Low–moderate. Pulse-based rather than sustained
- Moderate–high. Stronger cortisol co-release than ibutamoren
- Effective for acute GH spikes but subject to rapid desensitization; not suitable for continuous use beyond 4–6 weeks