Hexarelin (HEX) is a peptide GH secretagogue, structurally similar to GHRP-6, in the growth factor family which stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH). It can be used medically to treat GH deficiency.
Background
Although relatively new, Hexarelin is becoming a popular choice as a performance enhancement drug. Hexarelin is currently available from several research companies.
Action
Due to Hexarelin’s ability to increase secretion of natural Growth Hormone, most of its effects are similar to those of synthetic GH, although to a slightly lesser extent. Effects of its use include: increase in strength, growth of new muscle fibers, increase in the size of already existing muscle fibers, neural protection, joint rejuvenation, protection and healing. Also, the GH receptors in adipose (fat) tissue allow for potential fat reduction with Hexarelin use. The increase of circulating GH through Hexarelin use causes levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) to rise in the liver. IGF-1 is the prime cause of muscle growth in response to GH stimulation.
There is no appetite boost with Hexarelin use (as opposed to GHRP-6’s extreme appetite increase) due to its inability to drastically increase Ghrelin levels that are responsible for added hunger and quicker gastric emptying.
Technical Data
In studies where Hexarelin was injected subcutaneously, Growth Hormone, measured through plasma concentrations, increased significantly and within thirty minutes of injection. GH levels decreased back to normal around four hours post injection (1). The GH increase, has been found to be effective up to 2mg/kg, any further increase in dose was found to be ineffective in causing a GH response (2).
Results showed that Hexarelin’s effect on GH stimulation tapered between weeks 4 through 16. Separating cycles by 4 week off periods, avoided the negative feedback loop and the next cycle of Hexarelin produced the same level of results as the first cycle (3).
User Notes
I used Hexarelin awhile back, at a dose of about 200mcg/day, and found it to be very good for healing my injuries, burning a bit of fat, and helped me gain a bit of muscle.
I also have a couple of friends who are powerlifters, and they were able to use Hexarelin to heal an old Pec injury and train pain free while on it. My bodybuilder friends (yes, not only do I have friends, but some are actually bodybuilders) have said that 400 mcg/day of Hexarelin gave them similar results to low doses of GH (maybe 1-2 iu/day would be a good equivalent).
Overall, Hexarelin is a good all purpose anabolic. Also, since we know that IGF and GH use produces a shutdown of your endogenous levels of those hormones, Hexarelin also seems very useful for “GH-PCT” or “IGF-PCT”, as it can help restore your natural levels of those hormones after a cycle of them.
References
- Imbimbo, B.P., et. al Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin in humans. A dose-response study.Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1994;46(5):421-5.
- Imbimbo, B.P., et. al Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin in humans. A dose-response study.Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1994;46(5):421-5.
- Rahim, A., Shalet, SM Does desensitization to hexarelin occur? Growth Horm IGF Res. 1998 Apr;8 Suppl B:141-3.