What is GHRP-2?
A synthetic growth hormone secretagogue that activates the ghrelin receptor and can increase appetite.
GHRP-2 in the library · Growth Hormone Secretagogues · Metabolic & Weight Peptides · Human Trials · What are peptides?
0 registered trials · 6 indexed papers · 117 human / 67 animal studies
From the PeptideWhiz library entry. "As described" sections summarize claims made in the sources; they are not PeptideWhiz endorsements.
What it is
GHRP-2 is described as a synthetic peptide that stimulates growth hormone release and can increase appetite. Its name stands for growth hormone-releasing peptide-2; it is also called pralmorelin.
Small human studies demonstrate short-term effects but are described as not establishing the muscle-building, fat-loss or anti-aging results often attached to the name.
Mechanism (as described)
- It acts at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, commonly called the ghrelin receptor. Ghrelin is a natural signal involved in hunger and growth hormone secretion; GHRP-2 mimics some of that signaling and can prompt GH release from the pituitary, which is why appetite appears alongside hormone release.
- It is described as not HGH in a smaller vial: HGH is the hormone itself, while a secretagogue stimulates release. The cited short-term human experiments measured hormones and food intake, not long-term muscle, recovery or body composition.
Peer-reviewed studies (6)
More cited research
- Assessment of anterior pituitary reserve capacity based on growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 test in the elderly (2023, human observational)
- Identification of a novel growth hormone releasing peptide (a glycine analogue of GHRP-2) in a seized injection vial (2019, human observational)
- Evaluation of growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 for diagnosis of thyrotropin-producing pituitary adenomas (2018, human observational)
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Resolves Low GHRP-2-Stimulated Growth Hormone Levels in Obese Patients (2017, human observational)
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 2 May Be Associated With Decreased M1 Macrophage Production and Increased Histologic and Biomechanical Tendon-Bone Healing Prop (2025, animal)
- Ghrelin receptor agonist, GHRP-2, produces antinociceptive effects at the supraspinal level via the opioid receptor in mice (2014, animal)
- Growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 in growth hormone-deficient little mice (2012, animal)
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-2, a ghrelin agonist, attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats (2010, animal)
Conditions researched
Related compounds
- GHRP-6
- Anamorelin (non-peptide)
- CJC-1295 (no DAC) (with/without DAC) + Ipamorelin
- CJC-1295 (no DAC), Mod GRF 1-29
- Cagrilintide
- Eloralintide
- Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over)
- Hexarelin
- Ipamorelin
- MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
FAQ
What is GHRP-2?
A synthetic growth hormone secretagogue that activates the ghrelin receptor and can increase appetite.
How many registered human trials study GHRP-2?
The PeptideWhiz trial index lists 0 registered trials for GHRP-2.
How much published research exists on GHRP-2?
The PeptideWhiz paper index links 6 PubMed papers to GHRP-2; by study type, 117 human and 67 animal studies.
Which conditions is GHRP-2 researched for?
Fat loss, obesity & body recomposition.
Research and education only. Not medical advice. No dosing guidance. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov registry and PubMed via the PeptideWhiz index (204,289 studies).