Hexarelin Dosage Guide: Protocols, Cycling, and GHRP Data (2026)

Dose: 100 mcg per injection Frequency: Once daily, morning fasted or before bed Cycle: 4-6 weeks on, 6-8 weeks off

This produces roughly 70-90% of the maximal GH response while keeping cortisol and prolactin at moderate levels. The lower dose also slows receptor desensitization, potentially extending the useful window by 1-2 weeks compared to higher doses.

Best for first-time hexarelin users, people over 40 seeking general anti-aging GH support, and anyone sensitive to cortisol-related side effects (anxiety, insomnia).

Dose: 200 mcg per injection Frequency: 1-2 times daily (morning fasted and/or before bed) Cycle: 4-6 weeks on, 6-8 weeks off

This is the near-maximal GH dose per injection. Twice-daily dosing at 200 mcg produces two large GH pulses that support fat metabolism, muscle protein synthesis, and recovery from training.

Best for active individuals targeting fat loss, lean muscle gain, or faster recovery between training sessions. This is the ceiling: going above 200 mcg per injection adds side effects without more GH.

Dose: 100-200 mcg hexarelin + 100 mcg Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 no DAC) per injection Frequency: 2 times daily Cycle: 4 weeks maximum, then transition to ipamorelin + CJC-1295

Combining a GHRP (hexarelin) with a GHRH (CJC-1295) produces synergistic GH release significantly higher than either compound alone. The two mechanisms are complementary: GHRH stimulates GH synthesis and release from the pituitary, while hexarelin amplifies the release signal and suppresses somatostatin (the GH-inhibiting hormone).

Limit this stack to 4 weeks. Higher cumulative receptor exposure accelerates desensitization. After the blast, transition to ipamorelin (which does not desensitize) for sustained GH maintenance.

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Dose: 100 mcg per injection Frequency: Once daily Cycle: Per research protocol

Hexarelin binds CD36 receptors on cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells), activating anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic pathways through PPARgamma signaling. Preclinical studies demonstrate reduced infarct size, improved cardiac function after ischemia, and decreased atherosclerotic plaque formation (Bhatt et al. 2014, PubMed 25278975; PubMed 11988484).

The key finding: these cardiovascular effects are independent of GH release. They persist even after GH receptor desensitization occurs (PubMed 10465272). This means the cardioprotective benefits may continue during extended use even as the GH-stimulating effects diminish. Human clinical data remains limited.

Hexarelin produces a dose-dependent cortisol increase starting at 0.5 mcg/kg (PubMed 8954038). Symptoms may include transient flushing, mild anxiety, or irritability in the 30-60 minutes following injection.

Management: Keep dosage at 100-200 mcg. Morning injection aligns with the natural cortisol peak (cortisol is highest upon waking), minimizing the perceived impact. Evening dosing can disrupt sleep in sensitive individuals.

Important reassurance: A 16-week chronic administration study found that cortisol and ACTH area-under-the-curve actually *decreased* compared to baseline over time. Hexarelin does not cause sustained HPA axis overstimulation (PubMed 10341859).

Prolactin rises in a dose-dependent manner with an ED50 of 0.39 mcg/kg, meaning it reaches significant levels at a *lower* dose than the GH plateau (PubMed 8954038). Potential symptoms include nipple sensitivity and, in rare cases, gynecomastia in predisposed individuals.

Management: Stay at or below 200 mcg per injection. Monitor for symptoms. Discontinue if sensitivity develops. Prolactin elevation from hexarelin is less than from TRH (a diagnostic agent) but meaningfully more than from ipamorelin or GHRP-2.

Note: one competitor article claims hexarelin causes "no major increases in prolactin." This directly contradicts the clinical data. Be cautious with sources that downplay this effect.

Mild water retention and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet are GH-mediated effects. They indicate the peptide is working. These symptoms typically resolve within the first 2 weeks as the body adjusts to elevated GH levels. If severe, reduce the dose by 50 mcg and reassess after a week.

Not a side effect in the traditional sense, but the primary practical limitation. Managed entirely through cycling protocol: 4-6 weeks on, 6-8 weeks off. See the desensitization timeline section above for the complete data.

The gold standard GHRP + GHRH stack. Hexarelin stimulates GH release from pituitary somatotrophs (GHRP pathway). CJC-1295 or sermorelin stimulates GH synthesis and release through the GHRH receptor (a completely separate pathway). Together they produce synergistic GH output substantially higher than either alone.

Inject both compounds at the same time. They can be combined in the same syringe.

Protocol: 100-200 mcg hexarelin + 100 mcg CJC-1295 (no DAC), 1-2x daily. Limit the combined stack to 4 weeks before transitioning.

The most widely used long-term GH optimization strategy. Use hexarelin for a 4-6 week blast to achieve rapid GH elevation, then transition to ipamorelin for 12-16 weeks of sustained maintenance.

Ipamorelin produces cleaner GH release with no cortisol or prolactin elevation and virtually no desensitization. It is less potent per injection but can be used indefinitely.

Transition protocol: Complete hexarelin cycle. Start ipamorelin (200-300 mcg, 1-2x daily) on the first day of the hexarelin off-cycle. Ipamorelin uses the same GHS-R1a receptor but with lower affinity, allowing the receptor to recover from hexarelin's intense stimulation while still producing moderate GH output.

Use our CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin calculator for the maintenance phase dosing.

For injury recovery, hexarelin provides a systemic GH boost that supports tissue repair throughout the body. BPC-157 and TB-500 target local tissue repair: BPC-157 through angiogenesis and VEGF upregulation, TB-500 through actin regulation and scar tissue reduction.

This combination approaches healing from two directions: systemic GH elevation (hexarelin) plus localized repair (BPC-157/TB-500). They use completely different receptors and pathways, so there is no competition or interference.

See best peptides for tendon repair for detailed injury recovery protocols.

Start with 100 mcg once daily, injected subcutaneously on an empty stomach (morning fasted is the simplest timing). This produces roughly 70-90% of the maximal GH response while minimizing cortisol and prolactin elevation. Run for 4-6 weeks, then take 6-8 weeks off before repeating.

Clinical data shows a 31% decline in GH response after just 1 week and a 45% decline after 16 weeks of continuous use. The decline is partial, not total: GH response never drops below 55% of baseline. After 4 weeks off, response returns to 100%. Most protocols recommend 4-6 week cycles to capture peak effectiveness before meaningful desensitization sets in (PubMed 9589671).

Yes, both in a dose-dependent manner. At 1.0 mcg/kg (roughly 80 mcg for an 80 kg person), cortisol shows a moderate increase and prolactin reaches near-plateau levels. Chronic administration over 16 weeks does not cause sustained HPA axis overstimulation. ACTH and cortisol area-under-the-curve actually decreased compared to baseline in one long-term study (PubMed 10341859).

They serve different purposes. Hexarelin produces 2-3 times the GH peak of ipamorelin but desensitizes within weeks and elevates cortisol and prolactin. Ipamorelin produces cleaner, more selective GH release with virtually no side effects and no desensitization, making it better for long-term use. Many protocols use hexarelin for a 4-6 week blast, then transition to ipamorelin for months of maintenance.

Hexarelin has been studied via intranasal and oral routes. A study in elderly subjects found that short-term intranasal and oral hexarelin did not desensitize the GH response (PubMed 8921821). However, bioavailability through these routes is lower and less consistent than subcutaneous injection, which remains the standard.

Add 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 5 mg vial. This gives a concentration of 2 mg/mL (2,000 mcg/mL). For a 100 mcg dose, draw 5 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. For 200 mcg, draw 10 units. Refrigerate after reconstitution and use within 28 days. Use our reconstitution calculator for other vial sizes.

Preclinical evidence strongly supports cardioprotective effects. Hexarelin binds CD36 receptors on cardiac cells, activating anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic pathways. Studies show reduced infarct size, improved cardiac function after ischemia, and decreased atherosclerotic plaque formation. These effects operate independently of GH release and persist even when GH desensitization occurs (PubMed 25278975). Human clinical data remains limited.

Hexarelin produces approximately 25% more GH than GHRP-2 per injection but desensitizes faster (4-6 weeks vs. 8-12 weeks) and causes more cortisol and prolactin elevation. GHRP-2 offers a more balanced profile for longer cycles. Choose hexarelin for maximum short-term GH output. Choose GHRP-2 for sustained use with moderate potency and fewer hormonal side effects.

This cycling pattern is commonly discussed in online communities as a way to slow desensitization. No clinical study tests this exact schedule, but the logic is sound: reducing total weekly receptor exposure should slow GHS-R1a downregulation. It is a reasonable approach if you want to extend a cycle beyond 4 weeks. That said, hard 4-6 week cycles with full breaks are better supported by the published literature.