Growth Hormone Protocol
IpamorelinComplete Dosing & Administration Guide
A uniquely selective growth hormone booster that tells your pituitary to release more GH without messing with your cortisol or other hormones—making it the 'clean' choice among growth hormone peptides.
Dose Range
100-300mcg
Frequency
Multiple times daily
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
8-12 weeks
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Starting Dose
100 mcg
Start low to assess your body's response. Inject on an empty stomach for best absorption. Many people start with just twice daily (morning and before bed) to keep things simple.
Standard Dose
200 mcg
The sweet spot for most users. Injecting 200 mcg three times daily (morning, post-workout, and bedtime) maximizes GH pulses throughout the day while staying well-tolerated.
Advanced Dose
300 mcg
Higher doses for those who've established tolerance. Some research used up to 1mg/kg, but most users find diminishing returns above 300 mcg per dose. Always combine with proper nutrition and training.
Timing
Best time to take
Inject on an empty stomach—ideally first thing in the morning, post-workout, and before bed. The bedtime dose aligns with your natural overnight GH surge. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating after injection.
With food?
Food, especially carbs and fats, can blunt the GH response. Always inject at least 30-60 minutes before meals or 2-3 hours after eating for best results.
If stacking
When pairing with CJC-1295, inject them together at the same time—they work synergistically. If using BPC-157 or TB-500 for healing, you can inject those at different sites or times.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You've used the starting dose for 2+ weeks with zero side effects
- +You're not noticing any changes in sleep, recovery, or body composition
- +You're stacking with a GHRH and want amplified effects
Decrease if
- -You experience persistent headaches that don't resolve
- -Water retention becomes uncomfortable
- -You notice tingling in hands that worsens (carpal tunnel signs)
- -Blood sugar becomes harder to control
Signs of right dose
- ✓Improved sleep quality—waking up more refreshed
- ✓Faster recovery between workouts
- ✓Gradual improvements in body composition (less fat, more muscle tone)
- ✓Better skin quality and overall sense of vitality
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
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Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)—the preservative allows multiple uses
- •Insulin syringes (29-31 gauge, 0.5mL or 1mL)
- •Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
- •Your Ipamorelin powder vial (typically 2mg or 5mg)
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (just under the skin)—quick, easy, and most effective for peptides like Ipamorelin
Best sites
- •Belly fat area (about 2 inches from your belly button)
- •Front or outer thigh (middle section)
- •Back of the upper arm (pinch the skin if needed)
Technique
- 1.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- 2.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry
- 3.Pinch about an inch of skin to create a fold
- 4.Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (45 for lean individuals, 90 if you have more tissue)
- 5.Push the plunger slowly and steadily over 5-10 seconds
- 6.Wait 5 seconds before removing the needle to ensure full delivery
- 7.Apply light pressure with a cotton ball if needed—don't rub the site
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
Ipamorelin has shown a favorable safety profile in both animal and human studies. What makes it stand out is its remarkable selectivity—it releases growth hormone without significantly affecting cortisol, ACTH, or other hormones. In clinical trials, it was well-tolerated with mostly mild, temporary side effects. Phase 2 trials in patients recovering from surgery showed no significant safety concerns compared to placebo.
Ipamorelin has been studied in multiple Phase 1 and Phase 2 human trials, giving it more clinical data than many peptides. The key 1998 study by Novo Nordisk demonstrated its unique selectivity, and subsequent trials in postoperative patients confirmed its safety profile. However, it remains a research compound without FDA approval.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Mild headache
Some users experience headaches in the first few days to weeks. This usually relates to your body adjusting to increased GH pulses.
Management: Stay well-hydrated, start with lower doses, and it typically resolves within the first 1-2 weeks.
Injection site reactions
Redness, minor swelling, or itching at the injection site is normal and harmless.
Management: Rotate injection sites between belly, thigh, and arm. A cool compress can help. Usually fades within hours.
Water retention
Mild bloating or puffiness, especially in the first few weeks. This is a known GH effect that usually stabilizes.
Management: Reduce sodium intake, stay hydrated, and give your body 2-3 weeks to adjust. Consider slightly lower doses if significant.
Increased appetite
Ipamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor, which can stimulate hunger—the same receptor that makes your stomach growl.
Management: Plan your meals around injection times. This effect can actually be useful if you're trying to gain muscle and need to eat more.
Less Common
- •Tingling in hands or feet
- •Joint stiffness
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Any signs of allergic reaction—stop immediately and seek medical help
- ×Persistent carpal tunnel symptoms that worsen despite dose reduction
- ×Significant joint pain that interferes with daily activities
- ×Blood sugar control becomes significantly harder to manage
- ×Unusual swelling that doesn't resolve with lower doses
- ×Any side effect that feels serious or really concerns you
Ipamorelin 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.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Excellent synergistic pairing. CJC-1295 provides the GHRH signal while Ipamorelin amplifies it through the ghrelin receptor. Inject together for best results.
- ✓Another great pairing. Both stimulate GH but through different mechanisms, creating a more robust natural GH pulse.
- ✓Safe to combine for enhanced recovery. BPC-157 handles tissue repair while Ipamorelin boosts overall GH for systemic recovery.
- ✓Complementary for healing. Inject at different sites but can use on the same day.
- ✓Usually redundant since both hit the ghrelin receptor. Ipamorelin is preferred for its selectivity. Using both together is unnecessary.
With medications
- !Insulin - GH can affect insulin sensitivity. Diabetics need to monitor blood sugar closely and may need insulin adjustments. Consult your doctor.
- !Diabetes medications (metformin, etc.) - GH affects glucose metabolism. Monitor blood sugar more frequently and inform your doctor.
- ✓Thyroid medications - GH can affect T4 to T3 conversion. May need thyroid level monitoring if on thyroid replacement.
- ✓Glucocorticoids (prednisone, etc.) - Actually potentially beneficial—research shows Ipamorelin can help counter steroid-induced muscle and bone loss. Discuss with your doctor.
- ✓Blood pressure medications - Some users experience BP changes with GH peptides. Monitor blood pressure regularly.
With supplements
- ✓Arginine - Can enhance GH release when taken separately. Some people take arginine at different times to compound effects.
- ✓GABA - Safe to combine—GABA may support additional GH release, especially when taken before bed.
- ✓Melatonin - Safe and potentially synergistic for sleep quality and nighttime GH release.
- ✓High-dose glucose or carbs - Blood sugar spikes blunt GH release. Avoid carbs around injection times for best results.
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete Ipamorelin research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.
View Full Ipamorelin Profile