Sermorelin
Original GHRH analog - gentlest response in the GH secretagogue family, good entry point for beginners.
Sermorelin (Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29)). Original GHRH analog - gentlest response in the GH secretagogue family, good entry point for beginners. Typical community dosing: 200–500 mcg SC before bed. Regulatory status: Historically FDA-approved (Geref) before discontinuation.
29 residues· First described 1982
GHRH(1-29) — first 29 residues of native growth hormone-releasing hormone
Overview
Sermorelin is the original GHRH (1-29) analog and the mildest compound in the GH secretagogue family. Its very short half-life (~10–20 min) produces a single natural-feeling GH pulse shortly after injection, with minimal risk of desensitizing the pituitary. Because of this gentle profile, it's a common first-step GH peptide for users who want to test the water before committing to tesamorelin or CJC-1295/ipamorelin stacks.
IGF-1 response is real but typically smaller in magnitude than tesamorelin or the CJC-1295 stack. Users looking for big numbers usually graduate away from sermorelin after 8–12 weeks. For those happy with gentle elevation - especially older users where aggressive GH stimulation may be unwanted - sermorelin can be a long-term maintenance choice.
Mechanism of Action
Sermorelin is structurally identical to the first 29 amino acids of endogenous GHRH, which is the biologically active portion. It binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary and triggers a single GH pulse. Very short half-life means the signal clears quickly, preserving negative feedback and pulsatile rhythm.
Community Usage Patterns
200–500 mcg SC once daily, typically 30 minutes before bed on an empty stomach. Can be stacked with a GHRP like ipamorelin for greater magnitude. Assess IGF-1 at 8–12 weeks. Many users running sermorelin alone never reach IGF-1 responses that satisfy them and switch to CJC-1295/ipamorelin or tesamorelin.
Education only - not medical advice. Any protocol change should involve your licensed provider.
Biomarkers to Track
When running Sermorelin, these are the biomarkers most commonly tracked to assess response and safety:
Blood Work Checklist
Before starting Sermorelin, baseline the right panel. The Peptide Blood Work Checklist covers the full baseline panel, what to add for Sermorelin's class, and when to retest.
See the peptide blood work checklist →Reconstitution Calculator
Free calculator for Sermorelin reconstitution math - vial size, BAC water volume, and exact syringe units.
Open Sermorelin calculator →Side Effects & Monitoring
What Sermorelin side effects are commonly reported, when they appear, the red flags worth a provider call, and the biomarkers that catch issues early.
Sermorelin side effects & what to track →Results & What to Track
What Sermorelin results actually look like in the data - the markers to measure, when they tend to move, and how to tell a real result from placebo.
Sermorelin results & how to measure them →Related Peptides
Sermorelin Head-to-Head Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is the original GHRH (1-29) analog and the mildest compound in the GH secretagogue family. Its very short half-life (~10–20 min) produces a single natural-feeling GH pulse shortly after injection, with minimal risk of desensitizing the pituitary. Because of this gentle profile, it's a common first-step GH peptide for users who want to test the water before committing to tesamorelin or CJC-1295/ipamorelin stacks.
How does Sermorelin work?
Sermorelin is structurally identical to the first 29 amino acids of endogenous GHRH, which is the biologically active portion. It binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary and triggers a single GH pulse. Very short half-life means the signal clears quickly, preserving negative feedback and pulsatile rhythm.
What is the typical dosing for Sermorelin?
200–500 mcg SC before bed
What biomarkers should I track on Sermorelin?
Common biomarkers tracked on Sermorelin protocols: IGF-1, IGFBP-3, Fasting glucose.
Log doses, upload your lab PDFs, and let StackAI read your panel in context of what you're actually running. Free to start.
Start tracking →This page is informational and does not constitute medical advice. MyProtocolStack is a tracking and education platform. Work with a licensed provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol.