Source comparison
Peptides for Muscle Growth: Type Comparison
Growth Hormone Secretagogues (Ipamorelin, CJC-1295) Bind ghrelin receptors in pituitary; stimulate pulsatile GH release → hepatic IGF-1 synthesis → mTOR activation in muscle tissue Subcutaneous injection; ipamorelin 200–300 mcg 2–3×/day; CJC-1295 with DAC 2 mg
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Growth Hormone Secretagogues (Ipamorelin, CJC-1295)
- Bind ghrelin receptors in pituitary; stimulate pulsatile GH release → hepatic IGF-1 synthesis → mTOR activation in muscle tissue
- Subcutaneous injection; ipamorelin 200–300 mcg 2–3×/day; CJC-1295 with DAC 2 mg weekly
- Multiple randomized controlled trials; 2.1–3.4 kg lean mass gain over 24 weeks when combined with resistance training
- Most clinically validated option for research contexts; requires training stimulus to produce hypertrophy; effect size modest (12–15% above training alone)
- Myostatin Inhibitors (Follistatin-344)
- Binds and neutralizes myostatin protein; removes negative regulation on satellite cell proliferation and protein accretion
- Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection; typical research dose 1–5 mg every 3–7 days
- Limited human data; animal models show 30–60% muscle mass increase; early-phase human trials ongoing
- Theoretically potent but unproven in controlled human studies; not legally available as supplement; requires prescription or research-only access
- Direct mTOR Activators (Leucine-rich oligopeptides)
- Stimulate mTORC1 complex via Rag GTPase pathway; bypass upstream IGF-1 signaling requirement
- Oral in supplement form or subcutaneous injection at higher purity
- Weak evidence in humans; most data from in vitro muscle cell cultures or acute post-exercise studies
- Oral bioavailability limits effectiveness; injectable forms not widely available; effect comparable to 3–5g free leucine from whole protein
- Oral Ghrelin Mimetics (MK-677)
- Selective ghrelin receptor agonist; mimics endogenous ghrelin to stimulate GH release; orally bioavailable
- Oral capsule; typical dose 10–25 mg once daily
- Moderate evidence; increases IGF-1 by 40–90% in healthy adults; lean mass gains 1.1–1.8 kg over 8–12 weeks
- Convenient oral administration; lower potency than injectable GHS; useful for research contexts where injections aren't practical; effect ceiling at 25 mg/day