In the world of bodybuilding, athletes are always on the lookout for new ways to be better than the day before.
This can be anything ranging from boosting their performance, building muscle faster, to recovering quicker from tough workouts.
Lately, the peptide Hexarelin has caught their attention for achieving all 3 outcomes listed above.
Known for its potent effects on boosting growth hormone release, the peptide has sparked the interest of those who want to push their rate of muscle growth to the limit.
In fact, bodybuilders who use Hexarelin feel stronger and can power through even the toughest gym sessions.
BUT… Hexarelin isn’t some kind of magic pill that will bulk you up overnight (realistic expectations are important here).
In this article, we’ll talk about Hexarelin and its benefits for bodybuilding, its dosage and risks, and whether its a bodybuilding peptide worth using.
What is Hexarelin and How Does it Work?
Hexarelin (His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a synthetic hexapeptide (i.e. six amino acids long) that belongs to the growth hormone secretagogue class and was developed by Mediolanum Farmaceutici in Milan, Italy in 1972.
The peptide also goes by the name examorelin and has two developmental names: EP-23905 and MF-6003.
How it works is primarily through the release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary gland.
Hexarelin mimics the action of the hormone ghrelin, binds with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor found in the hippocampus, and activates a phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) signaling pathway that results in an amplified GH release.
This binding also leads to several downstream physiological effects that include regulation of bodyweight, cardiomyocyte protection, and support of your body’s musculoskeletal system development.
Apart from these benefits, Hexarelin also minimizes somatostatin release (which typically inhibits GH production) and this leads to a further increase in GH levels.
Similar to GHRP 2 and GHRP 6, Hexarelin can stimulate the release of cortisol, prolactin, and adrenocorticotropic without affecting glucose levels or the release of other hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), or, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Hexarelin and Growth Hormone Levels
As just stated, Hexarelin works by boosting the synthesis and release of natural human growth hormone (HGH).
This increases the levels of protein synthesis and amino acid recruitment in the muscle fibers, thus helping with muscle growth and strength.
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that well-nourished patients aged 20 to 40 years old who were given Hexarelin had increased growth hormone levels at 30 minutes and they remained at peak levels 180 minutes after dosing Hexarelin:
An iv dose-response study in six 20- to 40-yr-old well-nourished hemodialysis (HD) patients was followed by administration of the maximally effective dose to six 20- to 40-yr-old healthy controls, six 20- to 40-yr-old poorly nourished HD patients, and six 50- to 70-yr-old poorly nourished HD patients.
GH secretion (area under the curve over 180 min, mean ± SE) after 2 and 1 μg/kg doses (10.7 ± 4.2 and 8.2 ± 5.2 min/U·L, respectively) was greater than after placebo (0.60 ± 0.11 min/U·L; P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively).
The most effective dose (2 μg/kg) produced similar GH secretion (11.4 ± 3.3 min/U·L) in controls. GH secretion in the younger poorly nourished HD group (19.0 ± 4.4 min/U·L) was not significantly different from that in the well-nourished 20- to 40-yr-old HD patients (P = 0.06).
GH secretion in the older, poorly nourished HD patients (9.4 ± 2.2 min/U·L) was similar to that in the young, poorly nourished group (P = 0.18). ACTH and cortisol concentrations increased in all groups, whereas PRL concentrations were not affected in CRF.
The profound action of hexarelin on GH secretion has been shown to extend to CRF. Trends were evident toward increasing efficacy in malnourished subjects and decreasing efficacy with age.
Benefits of Hexarelin Peptide for Bodybuilding
Many people don’t know that the peptide Hexarelin was originally developed for the treatment of congestive heart failure and growth hormone deficiency.
During the initial clinical trials, researchers discovered it can also improve body strength, facilitate muscle growth, and reduce body fat.
It’s no wonder why bodybuilders are using the peptide to further pump up their muscles and seek out further gains in strength.
Below are three of the main benefits of the Hexarelin peptide for bodybuilding.
Muscle Growth and Strength
Bodybuilders love using Hexarelin because of its muscle-building properties.
It acts as a selective agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), activating GHSR while suppressing somatostatin and other growth hormone inhibitors.
The elevation in GH levels encourages the retention of nitrogen, leading to the growth of new muscle cells and the preservation of existing ones.
This results in more impressive and long-lasting gains in muscle mass.
Hexarelin also stimulates the growth and development of new muscle fibers, which helps in lean muscle mass development by increasing muscle size and enhancing overall bodily strength.
Moreover, when Hexarelin binds to CD36 receptors, it helps improve heart function by maintaining normal cardiac parameters such as cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and stroke volume.
Combining all of the above helps athletes boost their overall physical performance, both short-term and long-term.
In a study in The Journals of Gerontology, six old beagle dogs were given Hexarelin to determine the effectiveness of the peptide on muscle growth.
After 16 weeks of testing, researchers identified that the peptide Hexarelin improved the beagles’ morphological and biochemical muscular indices:
Hexarelin was administered for 16 weeks to six old beagle dogs.
The treatment consisted of three on-drug periods spaced by two off-drug periods.
During each period, the growth hormone (GH) peak response to HEXA initially increased and then dropped to pretreatment values.
Each time, a wash-out interval restored the same pattern of responsiveness.
HEXA significantly augmented the indices of spontaneous pulsatility of GH, but plasma insulin-like growth factor I levels did not change during treatment.
HEXA reduced bone resorption since it significantly decreased the urinary concentration of lysylpyridinoline, a bone matrix component.
Bone formation was not affected since unchanged levels of alkaline phosphatase were recorded.
In three of six old dogs, HEXA induced an improvement of some morphological and biochemical muscular indices, evaluated in muscle specimens that, instead, remained unchanged in a group of young untreated controls.
These findings indicate that HEXA effectively releases GH and primes the pituitary of old dogs and strengthen the view that in aging, GH secretion may be restored by pharmacological means. It would also appear that HEXA-induced GH release improves some indices of body composition in old dogs.
Fat Loss and Body Composition
Shedding excess fat is important in achieving a defined muscular physique.
Fortunately, the Hexarelin peptide has been shown to help break fat from adipose tissue by diminishing fatty acids from fat cells and using them for energy.
And the increase in growth hormone facilitated by the use of Hexarelin can also increase your body’s energy expenditure.
This means you can burn more calories at rest, helping you lose more body fat (especially when paired with an insulin-controlled diet and regular exercise).
Moreover, Hexarelin has muscle-sparing properies to help you lose fat without sacrificing your hard-earned muscle mass.
Preserving muscle is important for bodybuilders who want to maintain an active calorie-burning metabolism during aggressive fat loss diets.
Finally, Hexarelin also supports insulin sensitivity to help manage your blood sugar levels and promote fat loss via further decrease of fat storage.
A study in The FASEB Journal showed that mice given Hexarelin treatment had reduced body fat accumulation and improved insulin sensitivity without impacting IGF-1 or insulin levels:
Male melanocortin 4 receptor knockout mice (MC4RKO) were pair-fed and received continuous hexarelin (10.56 μg/day) or vehicle infusion by an osmotic pump for 3-4 weeks.
Hexarelin treatment significantly increased the pulsatile GH secretion without detectable alteration in basal GH secretion in MC4RKO mice.
The treated mice showed increased lipolysis and lipid oxidation in the adipose tissue and reduced de novo lipogenesis in the liver, leading to reduced visceral fat mass, reduced triglyceride content in the liver, and unchanged circulating free fatty acid levels.
Importantly, hexarelin treatment improved whole-body insulin sensitivity but did not alter glucose tolerance, insulin levels, or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels.
The metabolic effects of hexarelin were likely through the direct action of GH, as indicated by the increased expression level of genes involved in GH signaling pathways in visceral adipose tissues and the liver.
In conclusion, hexarelin treatment stimulated the pulsatile GH secretion and reduced the fat accumulation in visceral depots and liver in obese MC4RKO mice with improved insulin sensitivity without altered levels of insulin or IGF-1.
Faster Recovery Time
Hexarelin can also help you recover faster from training or injuries.
The faster you recover, the more time you can spend improving your athletic performance to achieve your fitness and bodybuilding goals.
The promoted release of growth hormone also plays an important role in tissue repair and regeneration.
Growth hormone also improves protein synthesis, including collagen which helps in the repair of damaged tissue and muscles.
This means you can recover faster between workouts, especially after an intense training session.
Also, note that intense training can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in muscles.
Hexarelin comes to the rescue with its anti-inflammatory properties, which is why you’ll notice reduced soreness and discomfort after a workout.
Moreover, when you sleep, your body continues to release more GH.
Hexarelin helps you get restful sleep so you can boost your GH secretion levels, which is important for optimal recovery:
In healthy young adults, the 24-hour profile of plasma growth hormone (GH) levels consists of stable low levels abruptly interrupted by bursts of secretion.
In normal women, daytime GH secretory pulses are frequent. However, in normal men, a sleep-onset-associated pulse is generally the major or even the only daily episode of active secretion.
Extensive evidence indicates the existence of a consistent relationship between slow-wave (SW) sleep and increased GH secretion.
There is a linear relationship between the amount of SW sleep (measured by either visual scoring or spectral analysis of the EEG) and the amount of concomitant GH secretion.
During aging, SW sleep and GH secretion decrease exponentially and with the same chronology. Pharmacological stimulation of SW sleep results in increased GH release, and compounds that increase SW sleep may therefore represent a novel class of GH secretagogues.
Lastly, if you’re doing high-intensity training, you are depleting your muscle’s glycogen stores.
Hexarelin can help replenish your glycogen faster, which provides your muscles with a sufficient supply of energy supply for challenging weightlifting sessions:
The complexity and redundancy of the endocrine pathways during recovery related to anabolic function in the body bely an over-simplistic approach to its study.
The purpose of this review is to examine the role of resistance exercise (RE) on the recovery responses of three major anabolic hormones testosterone, growth hormone(s), and insulin-like growth factor 1.
Each hormone has a complexity related to differential pathways of action, as well as interactions with binding proteins and receptor interactions.
Testosterone is the primary anabolic hormone, and its concentration changes during the recovery period depending on the upregulation or downregulation of the androgen receptor.
Multiple tissues beyond skeletal muscle are targeted under hormonal control and play critical roles in metabolism and physiological function.
Growth hormone (GH) demonstrates differential increases in recovery with RE based on the type of GH being assayed and the workout being used.
IGF-1 shows variable increases in recovery with RE and is intimately linked to a host of binding proteins that are essential to its integrative actions and mediating targeting effects.
RE stress is related to the recruitment of muscle tissue with the glandular release of hormones as signals to target tissues to support homeostatic mechanisms for metabolism and tissue repair during the recovery process.
Anabolic hormones play a crucial role in the body’s response to metabolism, repair, and adaptive capabilities, especially in response to anabolic-type RE.
Changes in these hormones following RE during recovery in the circulatory bio compartment of blood are reflective of the many mechanisms of action that are in play in the repair and recovery process.
Proper Hexarelin Dosage and Usage
The peptide Hexarelin is not approved by the FDA for human use, hence why all the available clinical studies have used animals as test subjects.
It’s also not legalized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for sports use.
This doesn’t mean you should write it off completely, as there are specific guidelines you should follow to ensure you are using it safely.
Recommended Dosage for Bodybuilders
If you’re thinking of using Hexarelin peptide for bodybuilding, the ideal daily dose is between 200 mcg to 300 mcg to help boost your growth hormone levels.
You can take it subcutaneously 2-3 times a day at approximately 100 mcg per dose.
How to Safely Use Hexarelin in Your Bodybuilding Routine
You can buy Hexarelin as a lyophilized powder that is dissolved in bacteriostatic/sterilized water before using it.
Many people recommend you inject it subcutaneously within the abdominal area to achieve the highest efficacy possible.
For optimal results, avoid eating food an hour before and after using the peptide.
You can use Hexarelin for a 12-16 week cycle, take a 25-30 day break, and then resume another 3-4 month cycle to continuously maintain the bodybuilding benefits you achieved from your first cycle of Hexarelin.
Potential Side Effects of the Peptide Hexarelin
When you use Hexarelin, sticking to the right dose can help you avoid most of its negative effects.
Usually, the side effects are not too severe — things like feeling less interested in sex, having higher cortisol and prolactin levels, and lower responsiveness to insulin.
Other reported effects include feeling like you need more sleep, experiencing numbness in your hands and feet, and even carpal tunnel syndrome.
Another common issue is water retention, and some men might even notice breast tissue growth (i.e. gynecomastia) although Hexarelin itself doesn’t turn into estrogen.
Overall, it’s fair to say Hexarelin carries a higher risk of side effects compared to other growth hormone secreting peptides.
Comparison of Hexarelin and Ipamorelin
Hexarelin and Ipamorelin are both peptides that stimulate GH release through activation of the GHSR.
They both help increase muscle mass and strength, encourage fat loss, and improve recovery (although clinical trials have mostly been carried out in animal models).
However, this doesn’t prevent bodybuilders from showing interest in using both Ipamorelin and Hexarelin at the same time.
So which of the two is more potent for bodybuilding?
Mechanism of Action
Hexarelin targets both the CD-36 and GHSR-1a receptors, while Ipamorelin mainly acts on GHSR-1a only.
GHSR-1a, also known as the ghrelin receptor, can be found throughout the brain, fat tissue, thyroid, muscular heart tissue, and pancreas. Once bonded, Ipamorelin triggers a signal that releases growth hormone from the pituitary to the bloodstream.
On the other hand, while Hexarelin also releases GH through the pituitary gland, it may affect another hormone pathway that could release prolactin and cortisol.
Moreover, CD-36 (usually found in liver tissue, fat cells, and immune cells) helps boost the peptide’s cardioprotective benefits.
Dosing and Administration
You can take both Hexarelin and Ipamorelin via subcutaneous injection.
They typically come in powder form, so you have to reconstitute them before injection.
Hexarelin can also be administered via nasal spray but this route of administration only has 5% bioavailability compared to the 77% observed with the injection route.
Side Effects
Just like any other peptide, Hexarelin and Ipamorelin are generally safe when following proper use and dosage.
Some of the common side effects of Hexarelin include elevated cortisol, prolactin, and daytime sleepiness.
Conversely, Ipamorelin’s side effects are dose-dependent and include increased appetite, weight gain, and sleep disturbance.
Stacking
Some people like to get a bit creative and try stacking both Hexarelin and Ipamorelin together.
They think that combining them might work better and have a bigger impact on growth hormone release.
Others will tell you that stacking Hexarelin and Ipamorelin is pointless because they’re both GHRPs.
Hexarelin peaks and starts boosting HGH levels about 45 minutes after you take it, while Ipamorelin takes around 2 hours for the peak to happen.
Real-World Results: What to Expect from Hexarelin
Thinking of using the Hexarelin peptide for bodybuilding and muscle growth?
Below are some of the real-world results from real-world users.
JoshuaMei used Hexarelin, modified GRF 1-29, and Ipamorelin and gave a detailed insight into his cycle:
“During the 2nd week, my sleep got much deeper and free of distractions. In the 3rd week, my nails started growing well. During days 17 and 21, workout recovery was much faster. After day 21, some fat loss was also experienced.
Sloppy Chauncy 426 chimed in with his own experience in the same Reddit thread and says…
“I’m currently running a cycle of ipamorelin, hexarelin, mod GRF, and GHRP 6, all at 100 mcg 2x/d, and so far, so good! Love being able to just pig out like I got the munchies lol and not think twice about it.”
RamboStallone from EliteFitness says he experienced fire for 15 minutes of workout by using Hexarelin:
Hexarelin, referred to as hex from here on out, is my favorite ghrp. I have run hex at 50-100 mcgs in the morning and pre-workout or post-workout with 100 mcgs of modgrf1-29.
Muscle fullness, vascularity, and hand-numbing experience are all signs of the workings of gh. What I noticed and love the most about the pre-workout dose is the intensity! I am soaked and on fire literally 15 minutes into the workout, and the training volume is insane.
I have been using hex for months now and the effects are still very pronounced. To avoid desensitization, a day off a week is all that’s needed in my opinion. Alternating every couple of months with other peptides is also a great idea, as it keeps the body fresh to hex.
JJR48 also said that he doesn’t need to stack Hexarelin with CJC-1295.
“I love hexarelin. It’s so strong that it doesn’t need to be stacked with CJC. I’m currently taking 200 mcg hexarelin mid-afternoon and post-workout. I alternate injections of GHRP2/CJC-1295 no DAC with shots of hexarelin.”
Keep in mind that results may vary — you may see slower or faster progress.
Just make sure to follow our recommendations on safely using Hexarelin for the best results possible.
Where Can You Buy Hexarelin?
If you want to take your bodybuilding game to the next level with Hexarelin — getting rid of fat, packing on muscle, and bouncing back fast from your workouts — you’ll have to look for your own source.
Limitless Life Nootropics, the industry’s only source for third-party-tested products, doesn’t currently have the peptide in stock.
However… they DO have some of the best formulations of Ipamorelin on the market.
And don’t forget they offer the BEST deals on both price and peptide purity.
Use code JAY15 at the checkout cart for 15% off!
But before you start injecting these peptides into your body recklessly, make sure you first read the Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Starting Therapeutic Peptides FREE PDF!
Seriously, this short e-book will save you a lot of wasted money and poorly spent time (not to mention preventing you from potential self-inflicted injuries).
And the emails I’ll send you after downloading the book contain an EXCLUSIVE 33% OFF code for my Peptides Demystified Course, so don’t miss out!
Raise Your Vibration To Optimize Your Love Creation!
PS — Want to enhance your muscle growth with the Hexarelin peptide?
Join me and hundreds of other male and female biohackers in The Fully Optimized Health Private Membership Group to learn how you can use peptides to boost testosterone and optimize your health in your 30s and beyond.
We’re excited to discuss biohacking, health, and life optimization through peptide therapy with you.
See you on the other side!
