# GHRP-2 — dosage, half-life & reference guide | PepVault

Source: https://pepvault.app/peptides/ghrp-2

Last updated: 2026-09-26

[Library](https://pepvault.app/peptides) [Growth hormone](https://pepvault.app/peptides#growth-hormone) reviewed September 2026

# GHRP-2 Dosage, half-life & reference guide

Also known as Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 · Pralmorelin

A potent growth hormone secretagogue: more potent than Ipamorelin but less selective, so along with GH and IGF-1 it also raises cortisol and prolactin.

- **Studied range:** 100–300 mcg
- **How often:** 2–3× daily
- **Half-life:** ~30 min
- **Evidence:** Moderate
- **Route:** SubQ injection

Studied in research — not a recommendation.

[GHRP-2 dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/ghrp-2)

## How it works.

Potent GH secretagogue that strongly stimulates GH release via ghrelin receptor agonism. More potent than GHRP-6 in animal tests, and users commonly report less appetite stimulation. Also stimulates IGF-1 production.

**Commonly reported:** Noticeable hunger after a dose (milder than GHRP-6), a flush or head rush after injecting, and water retention or tingling hands with ongoing use. Approved in Japan only as a diagnostic test for GH deficiency.

## Where GHRP-2 works.

- ### Brain, nerves & sleep

  **Reported by users.** People report deeper sleep, more noticeable recovery and hunger after a dose (less than GHRP-6).
- ### Muscle

  **Reported by users.** Commonly reported in weeks 2 to 8: faster recovery, better sleep and quicker body-composition changes than with milder secretagogues.

An area lights for what a peptide is used for and what people report, with the evidence beside it. It isn’t a promise that it works there.

## Week by week.

What to expect in the first 8 weeks

1. Day 1–14 Community

   ### Hits harder than Ipamorelin

   Commonly reported: GHRP-2 hits harder than Ipamorelin, with deeper sleep, more noticeable recovery and hunger after a dose (less than GHRP-6). The trade-off: each dose also raises cortisol and prolactin.

   The science

   GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin) is a more potent ghrelin receptor agonist than Ipamorelin but with less selectivity — it elevates cortisol and prolactin in addition to GH. A single dose raised ACTH and cortisol about as much as a CRH stimulation test (Arvat 1997), and in lean men it raised buffet food intake by 36% (Laferrere 2005). Phase II data showed robust GH release curves. Approved in Japan as Pralmorelin for GH deficiency diagnosis.

   Sources

   - Arvat et al. (1997)
   - Laferrere et al. (2005)

   Updated Sep 2026
2. Day 14–56 Community

   ### Recovery and growth are accelerating

   Commonly reported in weeks 2 to 8: faster recovery, better sleep and quicker body-composition changes than with milder secretagogues. If the hunger is manageable and the cortisol rise isn't adding to your stress, this is a productive window.

   The science

   In animal tests GHRP-2 works at lower doses than Ipamorelin, though its maximal GH response wasn't higher (Raun 1998). A single dose raises cortisol about as much as a CRH stimulation test (Arvat 1997); there are no data on repeated use, so it's worth watching if you're stress-sensitive. In a 30-day continuous infusion in older adults, the GH response eased from about 3-fold to 1.8-fold but held (Bowers 2004); no study compares desensitization with GHRP-6 or Hexarelin.

   Sources

   - Raun et al. (1998)
   - Arvat et al. (1997)
   - Bowers et al. (2004)

   Updated Sep 2026
3. Any day Clinical

   ### What GHRP-2 is built on

   GHRP-2 has Phase II clinical data and is approved in Japan (as Pralmorelin) only as a diagnostic test for GH deficiency, never as a treatment. Users place it in the middle of the secretagogue spectrum: stronger than Ipamorelin, less hungry than GHRP-6, and fading less than Hexarelin.

   The science

   Developed by Bowers et al. as a second-generation growth hormone releasing peptide. Japanese regulatory approval for diagnostic use. The ghrelin receptor agonism is well-characterized — GHRP-2 is often used as a research reference compound for GHS-R1a pharmacology. Human studies are small: acute hormone responses (Arvat 1997), a 30-day infusion in older adults (Bowers 2004) and appetite (Laferrere 2005). FDA lists it in compounding category 2, citing a possible risk of immune reactions and serious adverse event reports, including increased insulin requirements.

   Sources

   - Bowers et al. (2004)
   - Arvat et al. (1997)

   Updated Sep 2026

Day 1 is the day you start it.

## Mixing and a typical run.

Example numbers

### Reconstitution example

Reconstitute a 5 mg vial of GHRP-2 with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water and a 200 mcg dose is 8 units on a U-100 syringe, about 25 doses per vial.

- **Vial:** 5 mg
- **Water:** 2 mL
- **Amount:** 200 mcg

Draw to **8 units**

0.3 mL insulin syringe · 30 units

[Mix it in the Reconstitution Lab](https://pepvault.app/lab) [Open the calculator](https://pepvault.app/tools/reconstitution-calculator)

### Run notes

- **Cycle:** 8–12 weeks. Desensitisation is less rapid than with GHRP-6 or Hexarelin (no head-to-head data), but cycles are still recommended. Community practice — opinions vary. Not a clinical recommendation.
- **Timing:** Fasted injection or 2h post-meal. Avoid high-fat meals close to injection.
- **Route:** SubQ injection
- **Stacks:** CJC-1295 no DAC, Sermorelin

## Safety.

### Common side effects

- Increased appetite
- Water retention
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Cortisol/prolactin increase

## Goes with.

- [CJC-1295 no DAC](https://pepvault.app/peptides/cjc-1295-no-dac)
- [Sermorelin](https://pepvault.app/peptides/sermorelin)

## Questions people ask.

### What is GHRP-2?

A potent growth hormone secretagogue: more potent than Ipamorelin but less selective, so along with GH and IGF-1 it also raises cortisol and prolactin.

### How is GHRP-2 dosed in research?

The research range for GHRP-2 is 100–300 mcg, 2–3x daily. Studied in research — not a recommendation.

### How long does GHRP-2 last?

The half-life of GHRP-2 is ~30 min.

### What do people report on GHRP-2?

Commonly reported on GHRP-2: noticeable hunger after a dose (milder than GHRP-6), a flush or head rush after injecting, and water retention or tingling hands with ongoing use. Approved in Japan only as a diagnostic test for GH deficiency.

### Is GHRP-2 safe?

The research basis for GHRP-2 is moderate: animal studies + some human data. Common side effects in the library: increased appetite, water retention, fatigue, headache and cortisol/prolactin increase.

### What does GHRP-2 stack with?

Common stacks for GHRP-2: CJC-1295 no DAC and Sermorelin.

## Research.

The literature

### Search the latest research

[PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=GHRP-2) [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=GHRP-2)

## Reference.

- **Cadence:** 2–3× daily 2–3x daily
- **Half-life:** ~30 min
- **Research basis:** Moderate Animal studies + some human data

## More growth hormone peptides

- [GHRP-6 100–300 mcg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/ghrp-6)
- [Hexarelin 100–200 mcg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/hexarelin)
- [MK-677 10–25 mg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/mk-677)
- [Fragment 176-191 250–500 mcg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/fragment-176-191)
- [IGF-1 LR3 20–50 mcg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/igf-1-lr3)
- [PEG-MGF 200–400 mcg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/peg-mgf)

## Free tools

- [GHRP-2 dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/ghrp-2)
- [Reconstitution Lab (3D)](https://pepvault.app/lab)
- [Injection guide (3D)](https://pepvault.app/lab/injection)
- [Peptide Sky (3D)](https://pepvault.app/lab/sky)
- [Peptide tier list](https://pepvault.app/lab/tiers)
- [Reconstitution calculator](https://pepvault.app/tools/reconstitution-calculator)
- [Half-life & active level](https://pepvault.app/tools/peptide-half-life-calculator)

PepVault for iPhone

## Track GHRP-2 in PepVault

Log every dose and keep your vial and the doses left in it. 7 days free on the yearly plan for new subscribers.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6779318649?pt=129020030&ct=peptides-cta&mt=8)

[Open the calculator](https://pepvault.app/tools/reconstitution-calculator) [How the vial count works](https://pepvault.app/peptide-vial-tracker-app) [Explore the live demo](https://pepvault.app/login)

Reviewed September 2026 [How we check the library](https://pepvault.app/about#library)

PepVault is a research and tracking resource, not medical advice. Ranges are what studies used, never a dose for you. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; PepVault is independent of them.

PepVault is a private research and tracking tool, not medical advice. The information here is reference material from published literature and community use — always verify it and discuss any protocol with a qualified clinician before changing it.

© 2026 PepVault