Ghrelin: How It Works, What It's Studied For & Safety
Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid peptide hormone produced primarily by the stomach that signals hunger to the hypothalamus and stimulates pituitary growth-hormone release. Clinicians consider it for appetite, satiety, and weight-regulation research. It is not FDA-approved as a finished drug product and is dispensed by Wells Pharmacy Network only after a licensed clinician evaluates intake, history, and labs.
Also known as: Lenomorelin, Growth hormone secretagogue
How does Ghrelin work?
Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand of the growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). It rises before meals, signals appetite via arcuate-nucleus NPY/AgRP neurons, and stimulates pituitary GH release. Synthetic GHS-R agonists like ipamorelin mimic the GH-releasing arm without the appetite stimulation.
What is Ghrelin studied for?
- Appetite, satiety, and weight-regulation research
- Reference signal for understanding GLP-1 and other appetite-modulating therapies
- Diagnostic GH-stimulation testing (research and select clinical use)
How is Ghrelin taken?
This wiki entry describes the endogenous hormone. Synthetic ghrelin-receptor agonists (e.g. ipamorelin) are compounded as subcutaneous injections in clinician-directed protocols.
Is Ghrelin FDA-approved? Is it safe?
Endogenous ghrelin is essential. Exogenous GHS-R agonists are addressed under their own wiki entries (see related). Compounded prescription-only preparations are dispensed by Wells Pharmacy Network. Eligibility is decided by a licensed clinician based on intake and labs, not by checkout. Compounded products on this site are not FDA-approved and are not generic equivalents of any branded medication.
In the Regen Therapy catalog
This compound does not currently appear in an active Regen Therapy protocol. Browse the full catalog for adjacent options.
What does the research say about Ghrelin?
A robust body of metabolic-physiology research characterizes ghrelin's role; clinical translation is largely via GHS-R agonists rather than ghrelin itself.
Citations & further reading
Considering Ghrelin as part of a protocol?
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