Seeking Advice on Best Peptide for Muscle Growth

glowboy44

New Member
Hello, I am 22 years old and I am a natural bodybuilder that is looking to experiment with peptides for the duration of my summer (9-11 weeks).

Before you ask, I am highly knowledgeable in the field of performance nutrition and training protocols. I center everything in my life towards living healthy and it is truly my passion.



I have already gained ~35-40 lbs of muscle (measured by body mass indicators and machines) and the purpose of me doing this cycle is to maximize the amount of muscle I can add while I am still in college (this is my last summer that I can fully devote to living the lifestyle all in before I get a job).



My entire training philosophy/ outlook on training is centered on maximizing the amount of muscle I can attain while I am arguably in the most physiological anabolic environment of my life (optimal hormone profile, low commitments, low lifestyle mediated stress).



That being said, I want to do the cycle.



Anyways, here is my cycle.



  1. BPC-157: 150mcg's/3x week.
  2. Ipamorelin: 200mcg's/daily
  3. Tesamorelin: 750mcg's/daily
  4. Kisspeptin: 150mg/ 3x week.


Duration: 9-11 weeks.



Need to knows:

  • I plan on getting blood work PRIOR to starting
  • EKG PRIOR to starting
  • I will consult a licensed professional on their opinion-- though my mind is set on doing this.
  • I will measure my blood insulin levels (potentially daily??) to make sure there are no crazy spikes with the IGF-1 (as an aside, I plan on using cluster dextrin or some quick acting carb agent in the middle of my lifting sessions-- I have already used this product before)
  • I sit in the sauna about 3-5 times a week and do cold pluges/cryotherapy almost daily. I am just noting this because of the GH release that occurs when doing those modalities-- which in my case are often backed to back or "sandwiched"




Any advice you have is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to add your critiques or suggestions. I am keeping the Tesamorelin low to preserve lifespan/longevity. Plus being so young I already have a good amount in it. Compared to all the other reddits I have viewed, people that are older are more depleted of it and thus require a stronger dose.



Thanks!
 
A couple of thoughts. For GH release, you generally want something that stimulates a pulse combined with something that increases the size of the pulse, hence the CJC1295(no DAC)/Ipamorelin blends. You might want to look into a credible ecdysterone product such as Synthagen. Given the amount of muscle you have gained (great job!) it is probable the "easy" gains are behind you. In my experience which is somewhat similar when I was your age, the biggest challenge is not gaining more muscle but rather not losing what you have by trying to continue to gain at the pace you were before and then going backwards due to overtraining and/or injury. If you are adding strength at a rate of around 5 pounds every two months on your major upper body lifts and 5 per month on the lower body lifts, (measured over a period of at least 6 months) then that IME is about max you can expect long-term unless you are a genetic outlier, and even that is not sustainable. You are better off broadening your focus (general conditioning, explosiveness) rather than just focusing on muscle which will have diminishing returns.
 
Personally I'd be focusing on nutrition and training for longevity. Put yourself in a position that you can still be enjoying this lifestyle in 30 years. Watch some of Mike Ohearn and John Meadows on YouTube. Nothing wrong with peptides. Easy gains are gone. Good luck on your journey.
 
Also, I'm suspicious of "performance nutrition and training protocols" since a lot of what is touted as such are either wrong or inappropriate for your goals. You nutrition for your goal is basically eat as many calories as you possibly can without eating seed oils. When I was in your situation (40 years ago) I was on the college all-you-can eat plan and my dinner alone was 8 glasses of chocolate milk and three pasta main courses. For training, you want to focus on work capacity and sub-maximal volume over all muscle groups. That said, chasing muscle for muscle's sake is a dead end. Much better to focus on all-around health and athleticism as FangFang said. Also, you're just coming to the end of a phase where almost any training approach will "work" and it will take years of experimentation to find what will work for you to continue to progress now that the easy gains are gone. Most exercise "science" focuses on fairly new trainees for fairly short periods (e.g. 16 weeks) and hence cannot be followed with high confidence. The biggest risk in your "cycle" is that it could reinforce a focus on chemicals and a self-image based on muscle rather than sustainable elements of athleticism.
 
Anyways, here is my cycle.



  1. BPC-157: 150mcg's/3x week.
  2. Ipamorelin: 200mcg's/daily
  3. Tesamorelin: 750mcg's/daily
  4. Kisspeptin: 150mg/ 3x week.


Duration: 9-11 weeks.
OK, here is my advice and I am speaking strictly about the use of peptides with bodybuilding as I have dealt with quite a few pros. 9-11 weeks is not enough time to get much results from peptides as far as burning fat. You need a minimum of 6 months.

2nd, dosing once a day is great for life extension for for bodybuilding purposes you need 3x a day, 7 days a week. I think for gaining muscle and generally getting rid of fat, modified GRF (1-29)/Ipamorelin is a great combination. Dosing 100mcg of mod GRF (1-29)/500mg of IPA. You can still add the bed time dose of Tesamorelin in place of the mod GRF (1-29). Caveat: Tesamorelin is friggin' expensive. For the money I would go modified GRF (1-29)/ IPA x 3. Much less money and works as good a 4-7iu of HGH. If you are willing to spend that much on Tesamorelin, you would be better off going the HGH route....3iu x 3. Another idea would be going to CJC 1295 with DAC, 1-2mg split in 2-3 doses during the week, plus the Ipamorelin 2/d. Lots of very good BBers are using this combo in the EU.

With the Tesamorelin, you really need 1-2mg/d taken at bedtime to help burn fat. Ipamorelin taken any time but I would still go way upon the dose of IPA. High doses of IPA do not create prolactin or cortisol. Most studies done on Tesamorelin and fat burning are done for 6 months and using 2mg/d.

BPC 157, IMHO, you are wasting your money doing this unless you have a connective tissue or muscle injury. It is not going to help protect you from getting one.

Kisspeptin is usually used by TRT guys or as PCP for guys who are off steroids. Not sure what you are using this for. Research does show it very slightly increases serum testosterone levels (serum testosterone increased from 16.6 ± 2.4 to 24.0 ± 2.5 nmol/liter (P < 0.001). In the world of bodybuilding, that is not so much. The half life is 27 hours but going 3 x wk is not really going to help you in that department. You can add clomid to it and get a bigger bang for the buck but again, I am not so sure this is going to benefit you so much especially at your age.

Hope this answers some of your questions.
 
Last edited:
Hi guys reading the post here, 6 months ago iv damaged a tendon or ligament and have been going through some physio for the last month. I’m hoping someone can maybe give me some guidance on peptide dosage and where to purchase from as my training has took a massive downwards slope? And advice etc or other suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks, Chris.
 
I would start with DMSO. If that doesn't fix the issue (and not re-injuring the problem is essential) then BPC and or some form of GH secretagouge would be a good next step, as described above. 1-3 mg of BPC at a time injected close to the injury. I've had very good results with BPC patches although I don't know how then get such a large molecule through the skin.
 
Hello, I am 22 years old and I am a natural bodybuilder that is looking to experiment with peptides for the duration of my summer (9-11 weeks).

Before you ask, I am highly knowledgeable in the field of performance nutrition and training protocols. I center everything in my life towards living healthy and it is truly my passion.



I have already gained ~35-40 lbs of muscle (measured by body mass indicators and machines) and the purpose of me doing this cycle is to maximize the amount of muscle I can add while I am still in college (this is my last summer that I can fully devote to living the lifestyle all in before I get a job).



My entire training philosophy/ outlook on training is centered on maximizing the amount of muscle I can attain while I am arguably in the most physiological anabolic environment of my life (optimal hormone profile, low commitments, low lifestyle mediated stress).



That being said, I want to do the cycle.



Anyways, here is my cycle.



  1. BPC-157: 150mcg's/3x week.
  2. Ipamorelin: 200mcg's/daily
  3. Tesamorelin: 750mcg's/daily
  4. Kisspeptin: 150mg/ 3x week.


Duration: 9-11 weeks.



Need to knows:

  • I plan on getting blood work PRIOR to starting
  • EKG PRIOR to starting
  • I will consult a licensed professional on their opinion-- though my mind is set on doing this.
  • I will measure my blood insulin levels (potentially daily??) to make sure there are no crazy spikes with the IGF-1 (as an aside, I plan on using cluster dextrin or some quick acting carb agent in the middle of my lifting sessions-- I have already used this product before)
  • I sit in the sauna about 3-5 times a week and do cold pluges/cryotherapy almost daily. I am just noting this because of the GH release that occurs when doing those modalities-- which in my case are often backed to back or "sandwiched"




Any advice you have is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to add your critiques or suggestions. I am keeping the Tesamorelin low to preserve lifespan/longevity. Plus being so young I already have a good amount in it. Compared to all the other reddits I have viewed, people that are older are more depleted of it and thus require a stronger dose.



Thanks!
NICE! Remember you are not natural if you take these growth hormone peptides
 
When it comes to peptides for muscle growth, there are several options that research has shown to be effective, though it’s important to note that peptide use should always be discussed with a healthcare provider.

The most commonly researched peptides for muscle growth include:

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRPs) like GHRP-6 and GHRP-2, which stimulate natural growth hormone release. These can potentially support muscle protein synthesis and recovery.

Growth Hormone Secretagogues such as Ipamorelin and MK-677 (technically a growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonist) are popular for their ability to increase growth hormone levels with fewer side effects than some alternatives.

IGF-1 variants like IGF-1 LR3 directly target muscle tissue and may promote muscle fiber growth and repair.

TB-500 is another peptide that’s gained attention for its potential role in muscle repair and recovery, though it’s primarily studied for tissue healing.


The quality and purity of peptides varies significantly between sources, and many products sold online are unregulated. Dosing, timing, and cycling protocols matter significantly for both effectiveness and safety. Some peptides may have side effects or interactions.

Are you looking into this for general fitness goals, or do you have specific training objectives in mind?
 
I think ipamorelin + ibutamoren (MK-677) (or nandrolone or oxandrolone)+ high protein + effective resistance exercise can work great.

_______________________________



Human Data on GHRP-6, GHRP-2, and Ipamorelin

Growth Hormone Release and Pharmacological Properties

GHRP-6
has been extensively studied in humans as a potent stimulator of growth hormone (GH) secretion. Clinical trials demonstrate that GHRP-6 produces a dose-dependent increase in plasma GH concentrations, with peak responses typically occurring 45 minutes after administration and returning to baseline by 210 minutes[1]. In healthy volunteers, GHRP-6 administered at doses of 100-400 μg/kg showed excellent safety profiles with biphasic pharmacokinetics—a rapid distribution phase with a half-life of 7.6 minutes and an elimination phase with a half-life of 2.5 hours[2]. The peptide exhibits dose-proportional increases in plasma levels, making it predictable for clinical applications[2].

GHRP-2 demonstrates superior potency compared to GHRP-6, with human studies showing it stimulates GH release 2-3 times more effectively[3][4]. In a controlled study of healthy males, GHRP-2 infusion (1 μg/kg/hour) produced a 35.9% increase in food intake compared to placebo, with every subject responding to treatment[5]. The peptide achieved peak GH levels of approximately 36 μg/L within 60 minutes of administration, significantly higher than placebo controls[5]. GHRP-2 has been clinically approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent for GH deficiency, highlighting its established safety profile in medical settings[6][7].

Ipamorelin represents the most selective growth hormone secretagogue, with comprehensive pharmacokinetic data from human volunteers. A dose-escalation study with 40 healthy males across five dosing levels (4.21-140.45 nmol/kg) revealed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics with a terminal half-life of 2 hours, clearance of 0.078 L/h/kg, and volume of distribution of 0.22 L/kg[8][9]. GH stimulation showed a single episode of release with peak concentrations at 0.67 hours, with ipamorelin requiring 214 nmol/L for half-maximal GH stimulation[8].

Clinical Efficacy and Therapeutic Applications

Therapeutic Applications of GHRP-6
extend beyond GH stimulation to include cardiovascular protection. Human clinical trials demonstrated that GHRP-6 administration is safe across multiple dose levels (1-10-50-100-200-400 μg/kg) with only minor adverse events reported in 12 of 18 healthy male volunteers[10]. The peptide showed particular promise in preventing doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, with studies showing it preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and reduced myocardial damage[11][12].

GHRP-2 Clinical Success is exemplified by a remarkable case study of a severely emaciated anorexia nervosa patient who received intranasal GHRP-2 for one year. The treatment increased body weight from 21.1 kg to 27.8 kg (a 6.7 kg gain), improved muscle strength, enhanced daily activities, and crucially, prevented severe hypoglycemic episodes[6][7][13]. The patient experienced increased hunger, decreased early satiety, and improved gastrointestinal function with no reported side effects over the 12-month treatment period[6].

Ipamorelin Clinical Trials focused primarily on gastrointestinal applications. A Phase 2 randomized controlled trial enrolled 117 patients undergoing bowel resection surgery, comparing ipamorelin (0.03 mg/kg twice daily) versus placebo for up to 7 days[14]. While the primary efficacy endpoint (time to first tolerated meal) showed no statistical significance, ipamorelin demonstrated excellent tolerability with fewer adverse events than placebo (87.5% vs 94.8%)[14]. Additional studies confirmed ipamorelin's ability to accelerate gastric emptying and improve gastrointestinal motility in post-operative settings[15].

Safety Profiles and Side Effects

GHRP-6 Safety
data from multiple human studies consistently shows good tolerability. The most comprehensive safety assessment involved dose escalation from 1-400 μg/kg in healthy volunteers, with no serious adverse events reported[10]. Common minor side effects included transient increases in appetite and mild fluid retention[16]. Unlike other GH secretagogues, GHRP-6 showed minimal impact on cortisol and prolactin levels at therapeutic doses[16].

GHRP-2 Safety Profile reveals dose-dependent effects on secondary hormones. While generally well-tolerated, GHRP-2 can increase cortisol and ACTH levels at higher doses, though these effects are much less pronounced than with GHRP-6[17]. Studies in obese subjects showed no significant side effects during controlled infusions, with the primary concern being appetite stimulation that could be counterproductive during weight management[18].

Ipamorelin Safety Advantages make it unique among GH secretagogues. Unlike GHRP-6 and GHRP-2, ipamorelin does not significantly elevate cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin levels even at doses 200-fold higher than those required for GH release[19][20]. This selectivity translates to fewer side effects, with clinical trials reporting only mild and transient symptoms including slight water retention, temporary flushing, and minimal appetite stimulation[21]. The excellent safety profile led to its designation as the first truly selective GH secretagogue[19].

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Utility

Diagnostic Applications
represent a key clinical use for these peptides. GHRP-6 combined with GHRH has been validated as an alternative to the insulin tolerance test for diagnosing adult GH deficiency, offering superior convenience and safety[1]. Studies involving 125 patients with pituitary disease and 125 healthy controls confirmed the reliability of GHRP-6/GHRH testing for assessing GH reserve[1].

GHRP-2 Diagnostic Use is officially recognized in Japan for evaluating GH secretion deficiency. The peptide's ability to stimulate GH release even in patients with compromised pituitary function makes it valuable for diagnostic purposes[6]. Clinical studies demonstrate that GHRP-2 can elicit measurable GH responses in patients with various degrees of GH deficiency[22].

Long-term Treatment Studies provide insight into sustained use. Children receiving intranasal GHRP-2 for 6-24 months showed increased height velocity from 3.7 cm/year to 6.1 cm/year at 6 months, with effects maintained through 18-24 months of treatment[23]. The nasal preparation was well-tolerated with no adverse effects observed during extended administration[23].

Regulatory Status and Clinical Access

Current Regulatory Position
of these peptides varies by jurisdiction. While none are FDA-approved for routine clinical use in the United States, they remain accessible through compounding pharmacies under physician supervision[24][25]. The FDA has classified many growth hormone secretagogues, including ipamorelin, as Category 2 substances requiring additional safety data, though recent updates show ipamorelin was removed from this category after nominations were withdrawn[26].

International Availability differs significantly. GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) maintains clinical approval in Japan for diagnostic applications[27]. In other countries, these peptides are generally available for research purposes or through specialized medical practitioners for off-label therapeutic use[28].

Clinical Use Considerations emphasize the importance of medical supervision. While these peptides demonstrate favorable safety profiles in controlled studies, their use should be guided by qualified healthcare providers who can monitor for potential side effects and ensure appropriate dosing protocols[29][30]. The selective nature of ipamorelin and established safety record of GHRP-2 in clinical settings support their continued investigation for therapeutic applications.

The human data on GHRP-6, GHRP-2, and ipamorelin demonstrates their efficacy as growth hormone secretagogues with distinct safety profiles and therapeutic potentials. While regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the substantial clinical evidence supports their continued investigation and supervised clinical use.

References:



  1. https://archive.hshsl.umaryland.edu/bitstreams/b11e0b7d-27cf-4e26-813d-2035f73c54f4/download
  2. Pharmacokinetic study of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in nine male healthy volunteers - PubMed
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0739724000000503
  4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196978197000168
  5. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide -2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men - PMC
  6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcsm.12028
  7. One-year intranasal application of growth hormone releasing peptide-2 improves body weight and hypoglycemia in a severely emaciated anorexia nervosa patient - PubMed
  8. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers - PubMed
  9. Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Ipamorelin, a Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide, in Human Volunteers - Pharmaceutical Research
  10. Clinical safety of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 6 (GHRP-6) in healthy volunteers
  11. Synthetic Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides (GHRPs): A Historical Appraisal of the Evidences Supporting Their Cytoprotective Effects - PMC
  12. Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial and extra-myocardial damages by activating prosurvival mechanisms - PMC
  13. One-year intranasal application of growth hormone releasing peptide-2 improves body weight and hypoglycemia in a severely emaciated anorexia nervosa patient - PMC
  14. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients - PubMed
  15. Efficacy of ipamorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, on gastric dysmotility in a rodent model of postoperative ileus - PMC
  16. The Role of GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in Enhancing Health and Vitality
  17. https://swolverine.com/blogs/blog/g...ge-stacking-and-side-effects-for-bodybuilders
  18. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2824649/
  19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9849822/
  20. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5632578/
  21. https://swolverine.com/blogs/blog/i...imal-protocols-for-recovery-and-muscle-growth
  22. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/83/7/2355/2865347
  23. https://joe.bioscientifica.com/downloadpdf/journals/joe/155/1/79.xml
  24. https://regenerativemc.com/legal-insight-into-peptide-regulation/
  25. https://patients.sonoran.edu/2025/07/24/peptide-therapy-naturopathic-perspective/
  26. https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download
  27. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/c.../human-lab-rats-injecting-themselves-peptides
  28. https://swolverine.com/blogs/blog/g...need-to-know-about-growth-hunger-and-recovery
  29. https://drbnaples.com/are-peptides-safe-what-you-need-to-know-before-starting-peptide-therapy/
  30. https://redoxmedicalgroup.com/the-3-rules-for-peptide-therapy/
 
 

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