Hexarelin
Also referred to as: Examorelin, EP23905
A synthetic peptide that prompts growth-hormone release through the ghrelin pathway, also studied for possible heart effects.
In plain terms: Hexarelin is a lab-made peptide that nudges the body to release growth hormone through the ghrelin "door." Beyond growth hormone, researchers have also looked at whether it has direct effects on the heart. The research is mostly early-stage.
- Name
- Hexarelin
- Aliases
- Examorelin, EP23905
- Classification
- Growth-hormone secretagogue (peptide)
- Areas studied
- Ghrelin pathway, Growth hormone & IGF-1, Heart (studied)
What it is
Hexarelin is a synthetic peptide in the growth-hormone secretagogue group — compounds that prompt the body to release its own growth hormone. It works through the ghrelin pathway.
It stands out for a second line of research into possible direct effects on heart tissue. Most of its research is early-stage.
Mechanism
Hexarelin plugs into the ghrelin (GHS) docking point to prompt growth-hormone release. Researchers have also studied its binding to a related receptor (CD36) found on heart and blood-vessel tissue, which is the basis for the heart-focused research.
These effects are mostly characterized in animals and cells.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where Hexarelin appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Ghrelin pathway
Studied for prompting growth-hormone release through the ghrelin signal.
Growth hormone & IGF-1
Looked at for effects on growth-hormone and IGF-1 levels.
Heart tissue (studied)
Investigated for possible direct effects on heart and blood-vessel tissue in models.
Secretagogue comparison
Compared with other growth-hormone-releasing peptides in research.
Research history
Hexarelin was characterized in growth-hormone secretagogue research in the 1990s, with later work exploring its cardiovascular effects in lab models.
State of the literature
The research is largely early-stage and lab-based, with some human pharmacology studies. It is not an approved drug.
What to keep in mind
The heart-effects research on Hexarelin is interesting to scientists but very early — it is not evidence of a benefit you can rely on, and "studied for the heart" can be spun into misleading claims. As with the other secretagogues, the human evidence is thin. Read the citations and treat the cardiac angle as an open research question.
Research tools
Evaluating a Hexarelin batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often Hexarelin is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See what a published COA looks like
Midwest Compounds does not currently list Hexarelin. Every compound it does sell is tested by an independent lab, with a batch-linked certificate of analysis you can check before you buy.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Ghigo E, et al. Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral administration in man. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1994. Abstract
- Imbimbo BP, et al. Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin in humans. A dose-response study. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1994. Abstract