The short answer
Both prompt the pituitary to release its own growth hormone, through different receptors: sermorelin is a copy of the first 29 amino acids of GHRH, and ipamorelin is a ghrelin receptor agonist that released GH without raising cortisol in animal studies. Sermorelin is taken once a day before bed, ipamorelin 2–3 times a day. Sermorelin was FDA-approved until its maker discontinued it in 2008; ipamorelin was never approved.
Side by side
| Compared | Ipamorelin | Sermorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth hormone | Growth hormone |
| Also known as | IPAM | GHRH 1-29, GRF 1-29 |
| What it is | Considered the 'cleanest' growth hormone stimulator: in animal studies it triggers the pituitary to release GH without raising cortisol, a side effect common with other GH peptides. | A synthetic copy of the first 29 amino acids of your natural growth hormone releasing hormone: it prompts your pituitary to release its own GH, keeping the body's feedback loops in play. |
| How it works | Selective growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist. In animal studies it released GH without raising cortisol or ACTH, and users report milder hunger than with GHRP-6. Considered one of the cleanest GH pulses available. | Synthetic analogue of endogenous GHRH. Stimulates the pituitary to produce and secrete GH naturally. Considered a more physiological approach to GH optimization compared to exogenous GH. |
| Commonly reported | Deeper sleep and vivid dreams first, then better recovery, skin quality and gradual body-composition changes, with milder hunger than GHRP-6. Its human data are a small GH study and phase 2 trials in surgical patients; it was never approved. | Deeper sleep and vivid dreams in the first weeks, with gentle, slow-building effects, milder than CJC/ipamorelin. It was FDA-approved as a diagnostic test (1990) and to treat GH deficiency in children (1997) until the maker discontinued it in 2008, not for safety reasons. |
| Studied range | Research range: 200–300 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. | Research range: 200–500 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. |
| How often | 2–3x daily, best fasted or before bed | Daily, before bed |
| Half-life | ~2 hours (measured in healthy men, given IV) | ~11–12 min (US Geref label, after IV or SubQ) |
| Route | SubQ injection, IM injection | SubQ injection |
| Typical run | Commonly 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off to avoid receptor desensitisation. Some run longer with breaks. | 3–6 months common; considered a more physiological approach so longer cycles are used. |
| Evidence | Moderate: animal studies + some human data | Established: clinical trials or FDA-approved use exists |
| Common side effects | Headache, flushing, nausea, water retention, numbness/tingling | Headache, flushing, dizziness, nausea, injection site reaction, water retention |
- Category
- IpamorelinGrowth hormone
- SermorelinGrowth hormone
- Also known as
- IpamorelinIPAM
- SermorelinGHRH 1-29, GRF 1-29
- What it is
- IpamorelinConsidered the 'cleanest' growth hormone stimulator: in animal studies it triggers the pituitary to release GH without raising cortisol, a side effect common with other GH peptides.
- SermorelinA synthetic copy of the first 29 amino acids of your natural growth hormone releasing hormone: it prompts your pituitary to release its own GH, keeping the body's feedback loops in play.
- How it works
- IpamorelinSelective growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist. In animal studies it released GH without raising cortisol or ACTH, and users report milder hunger than with GHRP-6. Considered one of the cleanest GH pulses available.
- SermorelinSynthetic analogue of endogenous GHRH. Stimulates the pituitary to produce and secrete GH naturally. Considered a more physiological approach to GH optimization compared to exogenous GH.
- Commonly reported
- IpamorelinDeeper sleep and vivid dreams first, then better recovery, skin quality and gradual body-composition changes, with milder hunger than GHRP-6. Its human data are a small GH study and phase 2 trials in surgical patients; it was never approved.
- SermorelinDeeper sleep and vivid dreams in the first weeks, with gentle, slow-building effects, milder than CJC/ipamorelin. It was FDA-approved as a diagnostic test (1990) and to treat GH deficiency in children (1997) until the maker discontinued it in 2008, not for safety reasons.
- Studied range
- IpamorelinResearch range: 200–300 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation.
- SermorelinResearch range: 200–500 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation.
- How often
- Ipamorelin2–3x daily, best fasted or before bed
- SermorelinDaily, before bed
- Half-life
- Ipamorelin~2 hours (measured in healthy men, given IV)
- Sermorelin~11–12 min (US Geref label, after IV or SubQ)
- Route
- IpamorelinSubQ injection, IM injection
- SermorelinSubQ injection
- Typical run
- IpamorelinCommonly 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off to avoid receptor desensitisation. Some run longer with breaks.
- Sermorelin3–6 months common; considered a more physiological approach so longer cycles are used.
- Evidence
- IpamorelinModerate: animal studies + some human data
- SermorelinEstablished: clinical trials or FDA-approved use exists
- Common side effects
- IpamorelinHeadache, flushing, nausea, water retention, numbness/tingling
- SermorelinHeadache, flushing, dizziness, nausea, injection site reaction, water retention
Typical run: Community practice — opinions vary. Not a clinical recommendation.
Week by week
Each entry’s cards by day window, as the compound pages show them. Day 1 is the day you start it.
Ipamorelin
- Day 1–14 Sleep is deepening
- Day 14–28 Recovery is noticeably faster
- Day 28–56 Body composition shifts showing up
- Day 56–84 Cycle-end + planned break
Sermorelin
- Day 1–14 Sleep is the first signal
- Day 14–42 Recovery and skin are responding
- Day 42–180 The long game is paying off
Together or one or the other
Ipamorelin and sermorelin are a common stack: each lists the other among its common stacks.
Questions people ask
How long do ipamorelin and sermorelin last?
The half-life of ipamorelin is ~2 hours (measured in healthy men, given IV). The half-life of sermorelin is ~11–12 min (US Geref label, after IV or SubQ).
How often are ipamorelin and sermorelin taken?
Ipamorelin: 2–3x daily, best fasted or before bed. Routes: SubQ injection, IM injection. Sermorelin: daily, before bed. Route: SubQ injection.
How are ipamorelin and sermorelin dosed in research?
The research range for ipamorelin is 200–300 mcg, with a 200 mcg starting dose. The research range for sermorelin is 200–500 mcg, with a 200 mcg starting dose. Studied in research — not a recommendation.
What are the common side effects of ipamorelin and sermorelin?
For ipamorelin, the library lists: headache, flushing, nausea, water retention, numbness/tingling. For sermorelin: headache, flushing, dizziness, nausea, injection site reaction, water retention.
Are ipamorelin and sermorelin taken together?
Ipamorelin and sermorelin are a common stack: each lists the other among its common stacks.
Each one in full
PepVault for iPhone
Track either one in PepVault
Log every dose of ipamorelin or sermorelin, with reminders on your schedule. 7 days free on the yearly plan for new subscribers.
