Direct Answer
Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue studied in human pharmacology research; it is not an approved medicine.
Summary Table
Evidence Level
Low
AI Summary
Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue that acts at the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor. Evidence is low: human pharmacology studies characterized its ability to stimulate growth-hormone release and examined interactions with somatostatin and cardiovascular parameters, but it was not developed into an approved therapy and lacks controlled long-term outcome data. It is not approved by any regulator and is prohibited in sport under WADA. Effects are framed as studied, not established for any therapeutic use.
Key Information
Classification
Key Takeaways
- Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue (ghrelin/GHS receptor)
- Human studies characterized growth-hormone release; it was not developed into an approved therapy
- It is not approved by any regulator and is prohibited in sport under WADA
Scientific Overview
In Plain English
Hexarelin is a lab-made peptide that prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone. Human studies looked at this effect and at heart-related measures, but it was never developed into an approved medicine. It is banned in sport and is not an approved therapy.
Scientific Details
Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone-releasing peptide acting at the ghrelin/GHS receptor. Human pharmacology studies characterized growth-hormone release following administration and examined its interaction with somatostatin and effects relevant to the cardiovascular system. It was not developed into an approved therapy; controlled long-term outcome data are lacking, and it is prohibited in sport under WADA.
How It Works
Hexarelin is described as a growth-hormone secretagogue that acts at the ghrelin/GHS receptor, associated with stimulation of pituitary growth-hormone release; it has also been studied for GHS-receptor-related cardiovascular effects. These mechanisms are characterized in human pharmacology studies without development into an approved therapy.
Mechanism of Action
Growth-hormone secretagogue activity
human
Hexarelin acts at the ghrelin/GHS receptor and is associated with stimulation of pituitary growth-hormone release in human studies.
Evidence Level
Human Evidence
Human pharmacology studies characterized growth-hormone release and interactions with somatostatin, and examined cardiovascular-related effects; it was not developed into an approved therapy.
Animal Evidence
Preclinical work characterized GHS-receptor pharmacology and cardiovascular effects.
Limitations
Evidence is largely short-term pharmacology; there are no controlled long-term outcome trials, and it is not an approved medicine.
Why This Grade
Graded low: human pharmacology data characterize growth-hormone release, but there are no controlled long-term outcome trials and no regulatory approval.
References
- Interaction of the growth hormone releasing peptide hexarelin with somatostatin. Clinical Endocrinology.Human Studydoi:10.1046/j.1365-2265.1997.3121128.x →
- Growth hormone-releasing peptides. European Journal of Endocrinology.Reviewdoi:10.1530/eje.0.1360445 →
Alternative Names
- Examorelin
- HEX
- Growth hormone-releasing peptide
Risks & Safety
- Not an approved medicine; long-term safety is not established
- Prohibited in sport under WADA (growth-hormone secretagogues)
- Growth-hormone-axis stimulation carries theoretical metabolic and endocrine risks not characterized in long-term human studies
- Research-chemical-vendor material is not quality-controlled and may be mislabeled or contaminated
Claim Boundaries
ION BLUE is an educational research aggregator. This content summarizes published scientific literature. It is not medically reviewed, is not medical advice, and is not a recommendation to use any substance. Several peptides discussed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Consult a licensed healthcare provider. This entry does not assert that hexarelin is safe or effective for any use and is not a recommendation to obtain or use it.
This page summarizes published research and is for informational purposes only; it is not medical advice.