#1
Tesamorelin
FDA-approved GHRH analog with the strongest IGF-1 response of any peptide in its class.
~26 minutesSubcutaneous (abdominal)
Best Peptides · muscle growth
Best Peptides for Muscle Growth in 2026
The muscle-growth peptide stack in 2026 still revolves around the GH/IGF-1 axis — but the tracking layer separates users who actually see results from those who see only their bank balance shrink. Tesamorelin produces the largest IGF-1 elevation per dose; ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) is the cleanest pulsatile combo; MK-677 is the oral option with a different side-effect profile (water retention, blunted insulin sensitivity); IGF-1 LR3 is the direct-acting peptide most often cycled around training blocks. Each requires the same single tracking discipline: IGF-1 drawn fasted, in the morning, 24-36 hours after the last dose. Without that timing rule, the lab number is noise. This page maps each option to its calculator, biomarker tracking, and protocol context so you log doses against the right reference biomarkers from day one.
Editorial angle: Other muscle peptide listicles dump dose numbers; this one centers the IGF-1 timing rule that determines whether your tracking actually works.
6 peptides commonly tracked for muscle growth
#2
Ipamorelin
Selective GH secretagogue that pairs with CJC-1295 as the gold-standard gentle GH-pulse stack.
~2 hoursSubcutaneous
#3
CJC-1295
Synthetic GHRH analog that pairs with Ipamorelin for synergistic GH-pulse amplification.
~30 minutes (no DAC); several days (with DAC)Subcutaneous
#4
MK-677
Oral, once-daily growth hormone secretagogue. Technically a small molecule, not a peptide — but lumped into the category for protocol purposes.
~24 hoursOral (typically dropper solution or capsule)
#5
Igf-1-Lr3
Educational profile + dose calculator on MyProtocolStack.
#6
HGH
Exogenous recombinant GH — the direct-injection option vs the pulsatile secretagogue approach.
~2–3 hoursSubcutaneous
What to Track on a GH-Axis Muscle Protocol
Logging the protocol without the right biomarkers is half the picture. The labs below are the ones MyProtocolStack tracks alongside any muscle growth protocol — establish a baseline, re-test on a consistent cadence, and compare your trend against the only reference that matters: yourself last quarter.
IGF-1IGFBP-3Fasting glucoseHbA1cALT/ASTHematocrit
Track these biomarkers free →Frequently Asked Questions
Which GH peptide produces the largest IGF-1 elevation?
Tesamorelin shows 40-80% IGF-1 elevation at 1-2mg nightly in published clinical use (FDA-approved for HIV-lipodystrophy). Ipamorelin alone is gentler; ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) provides synergistic elevation closer to tesamorelin levels in optimization protocols. Track the actual response — your individual response varies more than the published averages.
Do I draw IGF-1 right after a dose or before?
Always fasted, AM, 24-36 hours after your last dose. This captures trough rather than acute peak, which is the comparable number across visits. Drawing 4 hours after a dose inflates the result and makes the trend chart meaningless.
Can I track lean mass on these protocols?
Yes — log weight + body fat percentage in MyProtocolStack's Vitals tab. DEXA every 3-4 months gives the highest-fidelity lean mass number; weekly home scale + caliper measurements give the trend between scans.
More peptide collections
For informational and educational purposes only. The peptides discussed on this page are not medical recommendations. MyProtocolStack is a tracking and education platform — it does not diagnose, prescribe, or provide clinical decision support. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, adjusting, or stopping any peptide protocol. Many peptides discussed here are not FDA-approved for the indications described and require a licensed prescription via a compounding pharmacy.