Peptides Calculator Guides Stacks News Compare Glossary
Medically reviewed by the Rite Aid Health Team · Last updated July 30, 2026
Peptides do not build muscle directly. The options in this guide fall into two groups.
GH-axis support. Growth-hormone secretagogues raise IGF-1 and may support recovery, lean mass, and sleep quality. Injury recovery. Peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 focus on a different goal.
This peptide therapy guide covers four peptides and a common combination.
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How the GH-axis options differ
Peptide Class Half-life / dosing Route Ipamorelin Growth-hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) Short; pulsed dosing Injectable CJC-1295 Growth-hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analog Longer; pairs with a GHRP Injectable MK-677 Oral secretagogue (ibutamoren) Long; once-daily oral Oral Sermorelin GHRH analog Short; established prescription Injectable
Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 — the standard stack
A common performance combination is CJC-1295 + ipamorelin. They act on two different receptors that together drive a larger, cleaner growth-hormone pulse than either alone:
CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog — it tells the pituitary to release growth hormone and extends the window. Ipamorelin is a GHRP — it amplifies the size of the pulse and is selective, with little effect on cortisol or appetite.
Run together, they produce a synergistic release that mimics the body's natural pulsatile pattern. The stack is typically dosed before bed to align with the overnight growth-hormone pulse. For peptides prescribed by a licensed clinician and prepared by an appropriate pharmacy, use the peptide dosage calculator for dose-to-volume math.
Sports note: growth-hormone secretagogues and related GH-axis agents may be prohibited in competitive sport. Check current WADA and league rules before use.
MK-677 — the oral option
MK-677 (ibutamoren) is taken by mouth, not injected, which is its main appeal. It's a long-acting secretagogue that raises growth hormone and IGF-1 over a sustained window. It can increase appetite and cause water retention, so glucose and body-weight changes matter.
Sermorelin — the established releaser
Sermorelin is a GHRH analog with a long history of prescription use. It's a conservative, well-characterized way to raise growth hormone, often the starting point before more aggressive stacks.
How they work for muscle and performance
All four raise your own growth hormone rather than injecting synthetic GH. Higher growth hormone raises IGF-1, the downstream hormone that mediates most of the muscle, recovery, and body-composition effects. The appeal over synthetic GH is the pulsatile, more physiologic release — and IGF-1 is the biomarker that tells you whether it's working.
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Before you start, compare the details that matter and build a focused question list. Already using peptides? Keep vials, administration, sites, wellness notes, labs, storage, and travel together. Separate your schedule from what actually happened, so important dates are easier to spot. Keep your private working copy on your own device.
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Blood work for a performance cycle
Track the hormone these peptides are meant to move, and monitor safety:
IGF-1 — the direct readout for GH secretagogues; it should rise if the peptide is working. Bodybuilder's Hormone Test — a performance-focused hormone panel for a full picture. Human Growth Hormone — for measuring GH directly alongside IGF-1.
Test at baseline and again at 4–8 weeks.
Baseline tests before a peptide cycle
Check safety and response markers before starting. These tests help establish a baseline for liver, kidney, glucose, hormone, and recovery tracking.
Get the Free Peptide Tracking Toolkit
Start with Muscle & Performance, then review other peptide categories. Keep the details you verify in the Excel workbook.
Excel workbook
11 worksheets for vials, schedules, labs, storage, and more.
PDF guide
Review providers, products, documents, storage, and travel.
Get the free toolkit
Free download
Useful before or after you start
Before you start, compare the details that matter and build a focused question list. Already using peptides? Keep vials, administration, sites, wellness notes, labs, storage, and travel together. Separate your schedule from what actually happened, so important dates are easier to spot. Keep your private working copy on your own device.
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For general education only — not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Peptides are not a substitute for care from a licensed provider. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before you start, stop, or change any peptide, medication, or supplement.
FAQ
The growth-hormone secretagogues — ipamorelin, CJC-1295, MK-677, and sermorelin. They raise your own growth hormone and IGF-1 rather than building muscle directly. The CJC-1295 + ipamorelin stack is the most common combination.
CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) and ipamorelin (a GHRP) act on two different receptors to produce a larger, more natural growth-hormone pulse than either alone. It's typically dosed before bed.
Sermorelin may be prescribed by a licensed clinician. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and MK-677 are not FDA-approved for muscle or performance use, and research-only products are not approved for human use. Work with a licensed provider.
IGF-1. It's the downstream hormone these secretagogues raise, and it should increase on an effective cycle. Test at baseline and again at 4–8 weeks.
Growth-hormone peptides typically need 4–8 weeks for noticeable body-composition change, though IGF-1 can shift within 30 days.