Skip to content
GH SecretagogueWADA ProhibitedCompare

GHRP-2

Also known as: Pralmorelin, Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, KP-102

4
1 · Natty510 · Enhanced

Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.

Why this rating?

GHRP-2 stimulates pulsatile GH release through ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor activation and is reported to be more potent than GHRP-6, with less appetite stimulation and lower cortisol/prolactin elevation. In the original Phase I pharmacokinetic study, a single 1 mcg/kg IV dose produced a mean peak GH of ~50.7 ng/mL within about 25 minutes, a robust but still endogenous, receptor-mediated pulse rather than exogenous replacement. Does not affect the HPT axis and requires no PCT. Rated 4 as it enhances natural GH production through receptor stimulation, providing moderate enhancement within natural feedback pathways.

Overview

A synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin mimetic that stimulates growth hormone release by binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). More potent than GHRP-6 with fewer side effects, particularly less appetite stimulation. Often combined with GHRH peptides (Mod GRF/CJC-1295) for synergistic GH release.

Important Warnings

  • •Must be administered on empty stomach - food significantly blunts GH release
  • •Carbohydrates and fats in particular reduce effectiveness
  • •Research chemical status means quality varies between sources
  • •Limited human clinical data compared to approved medications
  • •Requires multiple daily injections for optimal results
  • •Requires proper reconstitution and refrigerated storage

Purpose & Use Cases

Growth Hormone Release

Stimulates pulsatile GH release, mimicking natural physiology better than exogenous GH injection.

Recovery Enhancement

Elevated GH improves recovery from training and injuries.

Body Composition

GH elevation promotes fat loss and lean mass retention.

Anti-Aging/Longevity

Restores youthful GH pulsatility which declines with age.

Sleep Quality

GH release during sleep (from bedtime dose) improves sleep quality and recovery.

Benefits

  • More potent GH release than GHRP-6 (lower ED50)
  • Minimal appetite stimulation compared to GHRP-6
  • Lower cortisol and prolactin elevation than GHRP-6
  • Signals via the GHS-R1a / PLC-PKC pathway, complementary and synergistic with GHRH analogs
  • Low desensitization risk at standard doses
  • Synergistic when combined with GHRH peptides
  • Maintains natural pulsatile GH release pattern

Good to Know

A GHRP: stimulates your own GH, not a replacement

GHRP-2 is a synthetic ghrelin mimetic that binds the GHS-R1a receptor to trigger a pulsatile GH release from your own pituitary, and raises IGF-1 downstream. It is not exogenous GH and does not shut down the testosterone axis.

Raises cortisol and prolactin, unlike Ipamorelin

Its defining drawback versus the 'clean' GHRP Ipamorelin: GHRP-2 causes moderate ACTH/cortisol and prolactin elevation (though less than GHRP-6). At standard saturation doses this is rarely clinically significant, but chronic high dosing can bring fatigue or prolactin-related sides.

Synergistic with a GHRH analog

GHRPs and GHRH analogs act through complementary mechanisms, pairing GHRP-2 with Mod GRF 1-29/CJC-1295 recruits more somatotrophs and suppresses somatostatin, producing far larger GH pulses than GHRP-2 alone.

~100mcg is the community-cited saturation dose

Roughly 100mcg is widely reported to occupy most available GHS receptors; dosing above that per injection is believed to give diminishing returns (a commonly repeated but not clinically-verified rule of thumb puts a second 100mcg at ~50% as effective, a third at ~25%). More frequent dosing beats larger single doses.

Inject fasted: food blunts the pulse

Carbohydrate and fat suppress the GH response, so GHRP-2 is dosed on an empty stomach (2-3h after eating, 30 min before the next meal). No PCT is needed at any point.

Dosage Guidelines

Experience LevelDosage Range
Beginner100 – 200 mcg/day
Intermediate200 – 300 mcg/day
Advanced200 – 300 mcg/day
Frequency
2-3x daily on empty stomach. Morning, post-workout, and bedtime.
Typical Cycle Length
4 – 12 weeks
Notes

~100 mcg (roughly the dose used in the human PK study, ~1 mcg/kg) is widely cited in the peptide community as an approximate "saturation dose" that occupies most available GHS receptors, with additional mcg per injection giving diminishing returns - the often-repeated "first 100mcg = 100% effective, second = ~50%, third = ~25%" breakdown is a community rule of thumb, not a figure from a controlled clinical dose-response trial. Maximum practical dose is 300mcg per injection. Must be administered on empty stomach (2-3 hours after meals, 30 minutes before eating). Space doses at least 4 hours apart.

Side Effects

Appetite Increase

uncommon
Severity
1.5/5

Mild appetite stimulation from ghrelin receptor activation. Much less pronounced than GHRP-6.

Mitigation

Usually manageable. Time doses appropriately if cutting.

Cortisol Elevation

common
Severity
2/5

Moderate ACTH and cortisol stimulation, though less than GHRP-6.

Mitigation

Usually not clinically significant at standard doses. Chronic elevation may cause fatigue.

Prolactin Elevation

common
Severity
2/5

Mild-moderate prolactin increase, less than GHRP-6 or TRH stimulation.

Mitigation

Rarely problematic at standard doses. Monitor if symptoms develop.

Water Retention

uncommon
Severity
1.5/5

Related to GH/IGF-1 elevation rather than direct peptide effect.

Mitigation

Usually resolves within 2 weeks. Reduce dose if problematic.

Injection Site Irritation

uncommon
Severity
1/5

Flushing, warmth, or tingling at injection site.

Mitigation

Rotate injection sites.

Headaches

uncommon
Severity
1.5/5

Occasional headaches, possibly GH-related.

Mitigation

Usually transient. Reduce dose if persistent.

General Mitigation Strategies

GHRP-2 has a favorable side effect profile compared to GHRP-6. Appetite stimulation and hormonal effects are moderate. The short half-life (~33 minutes) means side effects are transient. Desensitization risk is low at saturation doses.

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

✓PCT Not Required

Does not affect HPT axis. No PCT required.

How It Works

GHRP-2 binds to the GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs and hypothalamic neurons. Like the other GHRPs, it signals through the Gq/phospholipase C pathway (raising intracellular calcium and activating PKC) rather than the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway used by GHRH. The complementary signalling is why a GHRP and a GHRH analog act synergistically. It stimulates GH release through dual mechanisms: direct pituitary stimulation and inhibition of somatostatin release, increasing the number of somatotropes participating in each GH pulse. It is reported to be more potent than GHRP-6.

Fundamentals

Reference on the practices relevant to GHRP-2: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.

Reconstitution & concentration math→

Turning this powder into a measured dose

Sterile technique & injection-site infection→

Avoiding abscesses and cellulitis

Bloodwork: what to measure and when→

The markers that matter here

Warning signs & when to seek care→

When to stop and get help

Common Stacks

  • GHRP-2 + Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 no DAC) - Synergistic GH release (gold standard)
  • GHRP-2 + Ipamorelin - Cleaner GH release with minimal sides
  • GHRP-2 + GHRP-6 - Not typically combined as they share the same receptor

WADA Status

⛔Prohibited by WADA
Category: S2. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics
In-Competition: ProhibitedOut-of-Competition: Prohibited

GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin) is prohibited at all times under WADA category S2 as a growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP).

References

Last updated: July 18, 2026