Sermorelin

Sermorelin (also known as GHRH (1-29) or GRF 1-29) is a performance-enhancing peptide studied for its effects on growth hormone, GHRH, anti-aging. FDA-approved GHRH(1-29) analog that stimulates pituitary GH and IGF-1 release under normal feedback control. Used off-label for anti-aging. Banned by WADA.

Sermorelin acetate, also known as GHRH (1-29), is a peptide analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of the first 29 amino acids of endogenous human GHRH, which is the shortest fully functional fragment of the hormone. It binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary and stimulates the synthesis and pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH), which in turn raises insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Because it amplifies the body's own GH pulses rather than replacing GH directly, the response remains subject to normal feedback regulation.

Overview

Sermorelin was approved by the FDA (marketed as Geref) as a diagnostic agent for assessing pituitary GH secretory capacity and, historically, for treating idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in children to promote linear growth; the branded product was later discontinued for commercial reasons rather than safety.

It has a short plasma half-life of roughly 10-20 minutes and is typically injected subcutaneously at night to mimic the natural nocturnal GH pulse.

Today it is widely used off-label in anti-aging, wellness, and hormone-optimization clinics as a GH secretagogue.

It is banned by WADA in competitive sport.

Mechanism of action

Stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone and IGF-1 under normal feedback control. FDA-approved for GH deficiency; used off-label for anti-aging via nightly injection.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

• Nightly subcutaneous GHRH(1-29) analog dosing significantly increased 12-hour integrated nocturnal growth hormone levels and raised serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in age-advanced men and women. ^[2] Phase II
• Four months of nightly GHRH(1-29) analog treatment increased lean body mass and insulin sensitivity in older men but not in older women, with no change in blood pressure or body weight. ^[2] Phase II
• Long-term GHRH(1-29) analog administration increased skin thickness in both sexes and improved self-reported general well-being and libido in men. ^[2] Phase II
• High-dose GHRH(1-29) at 60 micrograms/kg/day produced a height velocity comparable to exogenous growth hormone over six months in prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency of hypothalamic origin. ^[1] Phase II
• An intravenous bolus of GHRH(1-29) produced an incremental, dose-dependent rise in growth hormone output, which was attenuated in adult survivors of childhood cranial irradiation. ^[3] Phase I
• Reviews describe GHRH-analog secretagogues such as sermorelin as activating IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair pathways relevant to musculoskeletal recovery, while noting that rigorous human trial data are lacking. ^[4][5] Preclinical

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

Diagnostic GH stimulation test

• 1 mcg/kg as a single intravenous dose

Pediatric GH deficiency

• ~0.03 mg/kg subcutaneously once nightly (historical Geref dosing)

Off

• label anti-aging use: 200-300 mcg subcutaneously at bedtime

Short half

• life (~10-20 min) — dosed at night to align with the natural GH pulse

General

• Often stacked with a GHRP (e.g. ipamorelin) for synergistic GH release

Natty status

Sermorelin is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.^[6] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

The peptide has been the subject of 9 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Related compounds

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

References

1. ^ Growth response to GHRH(1-29)-NH2 compared with growth hormone in children with GH deficiency (clinical trial, Acta Paediatr 1993)
2. ^ a b c Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term GHRH(1-29) administration (clinical trial, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997)
3. ^ The GH response to low-dose bolus GHRH(1-29) (clinical trial, Eur J Endocrinol 2000)
4. ^ Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance. Recent review
5. ^ Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Recent review
6. ^ a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

• Wikipedia article
• Quantitative GH secretion and final adult height after GHRH(1-29) therapy (clinical trial, Clin Endocrinol 1999)
• A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.
• The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration.