A powerful synthetic growth hormone secretagogue that tells your pituitary gland to release more growth hormone—plus it has remarkable heart-protective properties that make it stand out from other GH-boosting peptides.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Subcutaneous
Route
3 recommended
Sites
Once daily
Frequency
Preparation
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)—the preservative keeps it safe for multiple uses
Insulin syringes (29-31 gauge)—thin needles mean less discomfort
Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
Your Hexarelin powder vial
Pro tip
Prepare all supplies on a clean surface before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process smoother and more sterile.
Mixing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gather all supplies on a clean, flat surface.
Remove the plastic cap from the peptide vial and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Let it air dry.
Draw the appropriate amount of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Insert the needle into the vial at an angle, aiming at the inside wall of the vial. Slowly push the plunger to let the water trickle down the glass wall -- do NOT squirt directly onto the powder.
Once all water is added, gently swirl the vial in a slow circular motion. Never shake the vial, as this can damage the peptide bonds.
Continue swirling until the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear. If particles remain, let the vial sit for a few minutes and swirl again.
Label the vial with the date of reconstitution, the peptide name, and the concentration (e.g. 250mcg per 0.1mL).
Example calculation
If you have a 5mg vial and add 2.5mL of BAC water, you get a concentration of 2mg/mL (2000mcg/mL). So every 0.05mL (5 units on an insulin syringe) equals 100mcg of Hexarelin.
Dose calculation
For a 100mcg dose at 2000mcg/mL concentration: draw 0.05mL (5 units on a standard insulin syringe). For 200mcg: draw 0.1mL (10 units).
Pro tip
Always add the bacteriostatic water slowly, letting it run down the side of the vial. Never shake the vial -- swirl gently to avoid damaging the peptide.
Location
Site 01
Abdomen
Pinch the skin 2 inches from navel. Avoid the area directly around the belly button. Rotate between left and right sides.
Site 02
Outer Thigh
Middle third of the outer thigh. Keep at least 4 inches above the knee and below the hip. Alternate legs each injection.
Site 03
Upper Arm
Back or outer area of the upper arm. This site may require assistance from another person for proper technique.
Rotate between 3 sites to prevent tissue buildup and ensure consistent absorption.
Pro tip
Rotate your injection sites with each dose to prevent lipohypertrophy (buildup of fatty tissue). Keep a simple log of where you last injected.
Step by step
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry completely
Pinch about an inch of skin to create a fold
Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (45 if you're lean, 90 if you have more tissue)
Push the plunger slowly and steadily
Wait 5 seconds before removing the needle
Apply light pressure if needed—don't rub
Pro tip
This peptide uses subcutaneous injection (just under the skin)—the easiest and most common method for self-administration. Inject at a 45-90 degree angle into pinched skin. Aspirate before injecting to ensure you haven't hit a blood vessel.
Timing
Optimal timing
Best time
On an empty stomach—either first thing in the morning (30-60 minutes before eating) or before bed (2-3 hours after your last meal). The GH pulse is much stronger when you haven't eaten recently [7].
With food?
Food significantly blunts the GH response. Always inject at least 30 minutes before eating, or 2-3 hours after a meal. Fatty foods especially interfere with absorption.
Stacking notes
Hexarelin pairs well with CJC-1295 (without DAC) or Mod GRF 1-29 for synergistic GH release. [7][8][16] If stacking, inject at the same time. Space out from other GHRP peptides to avoid excessive GH spikes or desensitization.
Sample daily schedule
Morning (upon waking, before breakfast)
100-200 mcg injection
Site: Rotate between belly, thigh, and arm
Wait at least 30 minutes before eating. Morning dosing takes advantage of your natural cortisol rhythm and won't interfere with sleep.
Evening (before bed, 2-3 hours after dinner)
100-200 mcg injection
Site: Rotate between belly, thigh, and arm
Evening dosing can enhance natural nighttime GH release and may improve sleep quality. Don't eat after injection for best results.
Dosing tiers
Dose
1.5-3 mcg/kg (approx. 100-200 mcg); ~100 mcg per injection in practice
Frequency
Single dose in trials; 1-3 times daily in research practice
Duration
Acute test or open-ended practice use
Trial-validated subcutaneous GH-releasing doses of 1.5-3 mcg/kg in healthy volunteers [6]; the ~100 mcg fixed-dose practice figure aligns with the lower 1.5 mcg/kg trial dose.
Preservation
Before mixing
Keep your Hexarelin powder in the refrigerator (36-46°F / 2-8°C) for short-term storage. For long-term storage (over 2 months), keep in the freezer (-4°F / -20°C). Store in the original sealed vial away from light. Properly stored powder can remain stable for 2+ years when frozen.
After mixing
Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Never freeze the reconstituted solution—freezing destroys the peptide structure. Keep away from light and use within 28-30 days.
Shelf life after mixing
28-30 days
Signs of degradation
Discard the vial immediately if you notice any of these:
Cloudy or hazy appearance (should be crystal clear)
Visible particles floating or settled at the bottom
Color changes—any yellowing or discoloration means toss it
Clumping or gel-like consistency
Important
When to stop
Any signs of allergic reaction—stop immediately and seek medical help
Severe or worsening water retention that doesn't improve with dose reduction
Persistent numbness or tingling that affects daily activities
Blood sugar issues that don't stabilize
Any side effect that significantly impacts your quality of life
You've completed your planned cycle length
Hexarelin is a research compound, not an FDA-approved medication. Never start, stop, or change your dosing without guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only—not medical advice.
Clean technique checklist
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
Swab vial tops and injection site with alcohol and let dry
Never touch the needle tip or allow it to contact non-sterile surfaces
Use a new syringe and needle for each injection
Dispose of used sharps in a proper sharps container
Store reconstituted peptides according to the storage instructions above
Published research
McDonald H, Peart J, Kurniawan ND, et al. · 2020
This study showed Hexarelin significantly improved heart function after simulated heart attack conditions. Treated mice had less heart scarring, lower inflammation markers, and better cardiac output—suggesting Hexarelin protects the heart through anti-inflammatory pathways involving the autonomic nervous system.
Huang Z, Lu X, Huang L, et al. · 2021
Hexarelin increased pulsatile (natural-rhythm) GH secretion in obese mice, leading to reduced visceral fat, less liver fat accumulation, and improved insulin sensitivity—all without changing IGF-1 levels. This suggests Hexarelin helps with metabolic health through direct GH effects.
Huang J, Li Y, Zhang J, et al. · 2017
Hexarelin protected heart cells from damage caused by blocked and restored blood flow. It worked by reducing harmful inflammation through the IL-1 pathway, activated by binding to the GHSR-1a receptor on heart cells. The heart-protective effects were even slightly better than ghrelin.
Zambelli V, Rizzi L, Delvecchio P, et al. · 2021
Beyond heart benefits, Hexarelin showed anti-inflammatory effects in the lungs. It improved lung function, reduced immune cell infiltration, and prevented the scarring (fibrosis) that can occur after lung injury—showing its protective effects extend beyond the heart.
Mao Y, Tokudome T, Kishimoto I · 2014
This comprehensive review established that Hexarelin has direct cardiovascular effects through two different receptors: GHSR-1a and CD36. The CD36 pathway appears especially important for heart protection, making Hexarelin unique among GH secretagogues for cardiovascular support.
Ghigo E, Arvat E, Gianotti L, Imbimbo BP, Lenaerts V, Deghenghi R, Camanni F · 1994
In 12 healthy young volunteers, hexarelin stimulated GH release at 1-2 mcg/kg IV (2 mcg/kg maximally effective) and 1.5-3 mcg/kg subcutaneously, as well as intranasal (20 mcg/kg) and oral (20-40 mg) routes.
Ghigo E, Arvat E, Muccioli G, Camanni F · 1997
Review of the GHRP class in animals and humans: the GH-releasing effect is synergistic with GHRH, undergoes partial desensitization (more during continuous infusion, less during intermittent administration), and is blunted by inhibitory influences including glucose, free fatty acids, neurotransmitters and glucocorticoids.
Arvat E, Di Vito L, Gianotti L, Ramunni J, Boghen MF, Deghenghi R, Camanni F, Ghigo E · 1997
In six normal young volunteers, hexarelin 2 mcg/kg IV released more GH than GHRH (AUC 2200.8 vs 792.2 mcg/L/h), and hexarelin combined with GHRH produced a true synergistic effect, with GH release greater than the arithmetic sum of each compound given alone.
Ghigo E, Arvat E, Gianotti L, Grottoli S, Rizzi G, Ceda GP, Boghen MF, Deghenghi R, Camanni F · 1996
Healthy elderly subjects given intranasal hexarelin 1.25 mg three times daily for 8 days, or oral hexarelin 20 mg three times daily for 15 days, maintained their GH response to the peptide; IGF-I and IGFBP-3 rose slightly and neither treatment induced any side effect. Intermittent administration did not desensitize the somatotrope response.
Bisi G, Podio V, Valetto MR, Broglio F, Bertuccio G, Del Rio G, Arvat E, Boghen MF, Deghenghi R, Muccioli G, Ong H, Ghigo E · 1999
In seven male volunteers studied by radionuclide angiocardiography, IV hexarelin raised left ventricular ejection fraction (70.7 vs 64.0%), rising at 15 min, peaking at 30 min and lasting to 60 min, with no change in mean blood pressure or heart rate. Equivalent GH exposure from rhGH did not do this, indicating a GH-independent positive inotropic effect.
Broglio F, Benso A, Valetto MR, Gottero C, Quaranta L, Podio V, Arvat E, Bobbio M, Bisi G, Ghigo E · 2001
Acute 2.0 mcg/kg IV hexarelin increased left ventricular ejection fraction in seven normal adults and in seven severely GH-deficient patients without changing blood pressure or heart rate, indicating a GH-independent positive inotropic effect mediated by myocardial GHRP receptors.
Deghenghi R, Cananzi MM, Torsello A, Battisti C, Muller EE, Locatelli V · 1994
The paper that introduced hexarelin, His-D-2Me-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, a GHRP analogue in which Trp was substituted with the chemically more stable 2-methyl-Trp. Given subcutaneously it elicited long-lasting GH release and was slightly more effective than GHRP-6.
Falls HD, Dayton BD, Fry DG, Ogiela CA, Schaefer VG, Brodjian S, Reilly RM, Collins CA, Kaszubska W · 2006
In pituitary cells expressing endogenous GHS-R, hexarelin produced a dose-dependent rise in intracellular calcium (EC50 1.7 nM). The receptor signals through the Gq/phospholipase C pathway, with calcium first released from intracellular stores and then sustained by influx of extracellular calcium; phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was used to measure the signal.
Bresciani E, Pitsikas N, Tamiazzo L, Luoni M, Bulgarelli I, Cocchi D, Locatelli V, Torsello A · 2008
Hexarelin, acting at the GHS-R1a receptor that ghrelin also binds, stimulated food consumption maximally at 80 mcg/kg subcutaneously and maintained a significant orexigenic action throughout 8 weeks of once-daily treatment in both young and old rats, without changing body weight gain.
Feldt-Rasmussen U, Wilton P, Jonsson P · 2004
In the KIMS database of hypopituitary adults on GH replacement, the fluid retention-related adverse events recorded were headache, oedema and arthralgia; these were more frequent in patients under 65 than in older patients.
Massoud AF, Hindmarsh PC, Brook CG · 1996
In healthy adult males, IV hexarelin released GH dose-dependently with an ED50 of 0.48 mcg/kg and a plateau at 1.0 mcg/kg. Low-dose hexarelin (0.125 mcg/kg) co-administered with GHRH-(1-29)-NH2 produced massive GH release, far above either alone, with only a moderate prolactin rise and no cortisol rise.
Frieboes RM, Antonijevic IA, Held K, et al. · 2004
States that hexarelin is superior to GHRH and GHRP-6 in stimulating growth hormone release. In adult male patients with growth hormone deficiency, hexarelin altered EEG sleep against placebo, with a decrease in slow-wave sleep.
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