Growth Hormone Protocol
SermorelinComplete Dosing & Administration Guide
The original growth hormone booster that works with your body's natural rhythm—it tells your pituitary gland to release more GH instead of replacing it, keeping your hormonal feedback system healthy and balanced.
Dose Range
100-300mcg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
12+ weeks
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Starting Dose
100-200 mcg
Start here to assess your tolerance and response. Inject about 30 minutes before bed on an empty stomach (no food for 2-3 hours). This timing syncs with your body's natural nighttime GH surge.
Standard Dose
200-300 mcg
The most commonly used protocol in clinical settings. Some practitioners recommend twice-daily dosing (morning and bedtime) for enhanced effects. Consistent daily use is key—skipping doses reduces effectiveness.
Advanced Dose
300-500 mcg
Higher doses used in some clinical studies. Twice-daily protocols (morning and evening) showed better results in research. Always work with a healthcare provider at these doses. Benefits typically plateau—more isn't always better.
Timing
Best time to take
Bedtime injection (30-60 minutes before sleep) is ideal because it amplifies your body's natural nighttime GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning dose on waking for enhanced effects.
With food?
Inject on an empty stomach—avoid eating for 2-3 hours before injection. Food, especially carbohydrates, can blunt the GH response by raising insulin levels. Fasting enhances sermorelin's effectiveness.
If stacking
Sermorelin pairs excellently with Ipamorelin or GHRP-2/6 for synergistic GH release—they work through different pathways. If stacking, inject at the same time but at different sites. CJC-1295 (without DAC) can extend the GH pulse duration.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You've used the starting dose for 4+ weeks with no noticeable effects
- +Your IGF-1 levels haven't risen on follow-up blood work
- +You want to try twice-daily dosing for enhanced results
- +Your healthcare provider recommends based on your labs
Decrease if
- -You experience persistent headaches or dizziness
- -Facial flushing becomes uncomfortable or prolonged
- -You feel jittery, anxious, or have trouble sleeping
- -Injection site reactions are significant
Signs of right dose
- ✓Improved sleep quality—falling asleep easier, deeper sleep
- ✓Increased energy and sense of well-being
- ✓Gradual improvements in body composition over months
- ✓IGF-1 levels rising into healthy range on blood work
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
Find the weight printed on your peptide vial label
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The peptide weight is printed on the label
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The weight is on the label
Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)—the preservative allows multiple uses
- •Insulin syringes (29-31 gauge) for injection
- •Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
- •Your sermorelin powder vial
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (just under the skin)—the standard and most effective method for sermorelin
Best sites
- •Belly fat area (about 2 inches from your belly button)
- •Front or outer thigh (middle section)
- •Back of the upper arm
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 if lean, 90 if more tissue)
- 5.Inject slowly and steadily over a few seconds
- 6.Wait 5-10 seconds before withdrawing the needle
- 7.Apply light pressure if needed—don't rub the site
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
Sermorelin has an excellent safety profile backed by FDA approval history and decades of clinical use. Unlike direct HGH, it works through your body's natural feedback mechanisms, which inherently limits excessive hormone levels. Side effects are generally mild and transient—mostly injection site reactions and occasional flushing. The peptide was FDA-approved in 1997 for pediatric use and is one of the most well-studied growth hormone secretagogues available.
Safety data comes from FDA approval studies, multiple clinical trials in both children and adults, and decades of real-world clinical use. While the FDA approval was withdrawn in 2008 due to manufacturing issues (not safety concerns), sermorelin remains available through compounding pharmacies and continues to be prescribed by physicians specializing in hormone optimization.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Injection site reactions
Redness, swelling, itching, or mild pain at the injection site. This is your skin's normal response to the needle and solution.
Management: Rotate injection sites regularly. Use proper technique and let alcohol dry completely before injecting. Usually resolves within 24-48 hours.
Facial flushing
A warm, red feeling in your face shortly after injection. This happens because sermorelin can briefly affect blood vessel dilation.
Management: This is temporary and typically lasts only 5-15 minutes. It's not dangerous and usually decreases with continued use as your body adjusts.
Headache
Mild headaches can occur, especially when starting treatment. May be related to changes in hormone levels or blood flow.
Management: Stay well-hydrated. If persistent, try reducing your dose. Usually improves within the first week or two of treatment.
Sleepiness or drowsiness
Feeling tired after injection is common, which is why bedtime dosing works well. Your body is responding to the GH release.
Management: Inject at bedtime to take advantage of this effect. If using morning doses and drowsiness is problematic, reduce the morning dose.
Less Common
- •Nausea
- •Hyperactivity or difficulty sleeping
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 headaches that worsen or don't improve after 2 weeks
- ×Significant fluid retention or swelling that doesn't resolve
- ×Development or worsening of carpal tunnel symptoms
- ×Blood sugar control becomes difficult (if diabetic)
- ×Your healthcare provider advises discontinuation based on labs or symptoms
Sermorelin should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. While it has a strong safety record, it's a prescription peptide that requires proper monitoring. This information is educational—not medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any hormone therapy.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Excellent synergy—works through GHRP pathway while sermorelin works through GHRH pathway. Together they create stronger, more consistent GH release.
- ✓Can extend the duration of the GH pulse initiated by sermorelin. Popular combination in anti-aging protocols.
- ✓Similar synergy to Ipamorelin. GHRP-6 may increase hunger more. Both enhance sermorelin's effects through complementary pathways.
- ✓Safe to combine. BPC-157 works on healing while sermorelin supports GH. Different mechanisms, potentially complementary benefits.
With medications
- !Glucocorticoids (prednisone, cortisol) - High-dose steroids can significantly blunt GH response to sermorelin. May reduce effectiveness of therapy.
- !Insulin - GH affects blood sugar. If diabetic, monitor closely and work with your doctor to adjust insulin as needed.
- ✓Thyroid medications - GH can affect thyroid hormone metabolism. Monitor thyroid function regularly and adjust medications if needed.
- !Somatostatin analogs (octreotide) - Directly opposes sermorelin's action by blocking GH release. Do not combine—they work against each other.
With supplements
- ✓Arginine - May enhance GH release when taken with sermorelin. Some practitioners recommend arginine supplementation.
- ✓GABA - May have additive effects on GH release and sleep quality. Generally safe to combine.
- ✓Melatonin - Safe to combine. Both support sleep, and melatonin may have mild GH-supporting effects.
- ✓High-glycemic carbohydrates - Eating carbs around injection time spikes insulin and blunts GH release. Avoid food 2-3 hours before injection.
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete Sermorelin research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.
View Full Sermorelin Profile