Hexarelin

What people use it for

• Raising growth hormone (popular use)
• Heart protection (animal research)

What Hexarelin does in the body

Activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) to trigger a strong pulse of growth hormone. It also binds CD36, a receptor in the heart, which may explain protective cardiac effects seen in animal studies. The GH response tends to fade with continued use (tachyphylaxis).

Strength of evidence

Limited: small human studies of GH release; cardiac findings mostly in animals.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Raised cortisol and prolactin
• Increased hunger
• Water retention
• Diminishing effect with ongoing use

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Active or past cancer
• Heart disease (it has effects on the heart; limited data)
• Competitive athletes (prohibited by WADA)

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

Not approved. Prohibited in sport by WADA.

How it's taken

Route: Injection under the skin (research and unofficial use)

How long it lasts (half-life): About 1 hour

Storage

Unreconstituted (powder) vials are usually kept refrigerated or frozen and away from light. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, keep refrigerated and do not freeze; follow the supplier's stated beyond-use date.

Mixing guides

How much water to add and what each syringe mark holds, worked out for your own dose:

• 2 mg vial
• 5 mg vial