Adverse effect · GHRP-2

How common is safety in humans with GHRP-2?

C
Grade C — weak human evidenceDiagnostic use · effect size: small · adverse
Short answerWeak human evidence. Diagnostic use: enough to be interesting, not enough to count on. Where an effect is seen it is a small effect. As a single diagnostic dose it is well tolerated, with flushing the main effect. Safety of repeated self-dosing is not established, and it raises cortisol and prolactin more than the most selective secretagogues.

What the studies show

As a single diagnostic dose it is well tolerated, with flushing the main effect. Safety of repeated self-dosing is not established, and it raises cortisol and prolactin more than the most selective secretagogues.

A few small or poorly-controlled human studies. Enough to be interesting; not enough to count on. Most of what gets called “clinically proven” online lives here.

  1. 1
    Chihara K, et al. A simple diagnostic test using GH-releasing peptide-2 in adult GH deficiency.Eur J Endocrinol, 2007;157:19–2777 healthy + 58 GH-deficient adults; the diagnostic basis.

In context

GHRP-2, or pralmorelin, is a synthetic six-amino-acid growth-hormone-releasing peptide. It reliably and measurably raises growth hormone, and on that basis is approved in Japan as a diagnostic test for growth-hormone deficiency. Like natural ghrelin it also increases appetite in short human studies. What it does not have is any trial showing it builds muscle, burns fat or improves body composition — the uses it is actually sold for. It is banned in sport.

GHRP-2 is approved (diagnostic, japan). Legal status differs by country — see the regulation section or the jurisdiction pages.

Questions

Is GHRP-2 proven to cause safety in humans?
No. The human evidence is weak (Diagnostic use); LYO grades it C.
What studies are behind the grade?
As a single diagnostic dose it is well tolerated, with flushing the main effect. Safety of repeated self-dosing is not established, and it raises cortisol and prolactin more than the most selective secretagogues.
Is GHRP-2 approved for this?
GHRP-2 is an approved medicine (Approved (diagnostic, Japan)); whether this particular outcome is a licensed indication is stated on the compound page's regulation section.

Other outcomes for GHRP-2

Written and maintained by LYO Research — how pages are written and checked. Reviewed 3 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only; see how LYO grades. Not medical advice. Correct this page →