Hexarelin and ipamorelin both hit the same ghrelin/GHSR receptor to release growth hormone — but they sit at opposite ends of a trade-off. Hexarelin pushes harder (and uniquely reaches the heart through CD36) at the cost of more cortisol/prolactin and faster desensitisation. Ipamorelin trades raw potency for a clean, selective pulse. Both are supplied by New-U for laboratory research only — not for human use.
Both are growth-hormone secretagogues that activate GHSR-1a. Hexarelin is a potency-optimised descendant of GHRP-6, with two non-natural amino-acid substitutions that boost stability and GH-releasing strength. Ipamorelin took the opposite design path: maximum receptor selectivity, so it triggers GH without the cortisol, prolactin and hunger that the GHRP-6 lineage carries.
| Hexarelin | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Potent GHRP-6-derived GHSR agonist | Selective GHSR agonist |
| GH potency | Higher peak GH release | Strong but lower than hexarelin |
| Cortisol / prolactin | Mild-moderate rise at higher amounts | Negligible |
| Unique mechanism | Cardiac CD36 activation (cardioprotection research) | None — pure, selective GH pulse |
| Desensitisation | Faster — favours cycling / lower amounts | Slower — more forgiving |
| Appetite effect | Some (GHRP-6 heritage) | Weak |
| Best research fit | Max GH signal; cardiac models | Clean, repeatable GH pulse |
Hexarelin's standout feature isn't GH at all — it's CD36, a scavenger receptor in heart muscle involved in fatty-acid uptake and calcium handling. Hexarelin activation of cardiac CD36 underpins the cardioprotective effects reported in post-ischaemic injury models, a research angle ipamorelin simply doesn't have. If a study is about the heart rather than the GH axis, that's the differentiator.
For the cleanest, most repeatable GH pulse with the fewest confounders, ipamorelin is the selective workhorse — and the reason it's the standard partner in the CJC-1295 + ipamorelin pairing. For maximum GH output or for cardiac CD36 work, hexarelin is the more potent (but less forgiving) tool. As with all GHRPs, hexarelin protocols lean on lower amounts and cycling to manage desensitisation.
Is hexarelin or ipamorelin better?
They trade potency for selectivity. Hexarelin releases more GH and engages cardiac CD36, but raises cortisol/prolactin and desensitises faster. Ipamorelin is cleaner and more selective. Choice depends on whether potency or a clean signal matters. Both research use only.
What is the difference between hexarelin and ipamorelin?
Both are GHSR agonists. Hexarelin is the more potent, GHRP-6-derived peptide with added cardiac CD36 activity but more cortisol/prolactin and faster desensitisation; ipamorelin is selective with a strong-but-clean pulse and slower desensitisation.
Does hexarelin desensitise faster than ipamorelin?
Yes — continuous higher-amount exposure downregulates the ghrelin receptor faster, so hexarelin research protocols favour lower amounts and cycling. Research context only.
What is hexarelin's CD36 effect?
Hexarelin activates CD36, a cardiomyocyte scavenger receptor tied to fatty-acid uptake and calcium handling, underlying its studied cardioprotective effects in post-ischaemic models — an angle ipamorelin lacks. Preclinical finding only.
New-U supplies both as sealed 10-vial packs of lyophilised reference peptide, independently HPLC-verified at >99% purity by Janoshik and Freedom Diagnostics, with a per-batch Certificate of Analysis. Research use only — not for human consumption.
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