Muscle Support Peptides
General support for muscle health and function
Muscle support peptides enhance the body's capacity to build and maintain lean muscle tissue through several pathways: increasing growth hormone and IGF-1 output, inhibiting myostatin (a protein that limits muscle growth), and improving protein synthesis efficiency. Growth hormone secretagogues like CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and MK-677 are the most common, working by amplifying the body's natural GH pulses. Follistatin targets myostatin directly, removing a natural brake on muscle development.
These peptides are distinct from anabolic steroids in that they work through the body's own hormonal signaling rather than introducing exogenous hormones. The effects are generally more subtle and take longer to manifest, but they also carry a different risk profile. Most muscle support peptides improve body composition (the ratio of lean mass to fat) rather than producing dramatic size increases.
This page collects every peptide on PeptideWiki tagged for muscle support. Browse individual profiles for mechanisms, dosing, and safety information.
Peptides (7)
CJC-1295 (Modified GRF 1-29)
CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29) is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing compound with a short active window of about 30 minutes. It is being studied for its effects on growth hormone release and body composition.
CJC-1295 with DAC
CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a long-acting growth hormone-releasing compound that binds to a blood protein called albumin, extending its active life to several days. This provides sustained growth hormone elevation compared to the shorter-acting Mod GRF 1-29.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid growth hormone-releasing compound. It was FDA-approved for pediatric growth hormone deficiency and is widely used off-label for anti-aging and body composition improvement.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a selective compound that triggers growth hormone release, originally developed by Novo Nordisk. It stimulates growth hormone without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin levels. It has been studied in clinical trials for postoperative recovery.
GHRP-6
GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6) is a six-amino-acid peptide that triggers growth hormone release through the ghrelin (hunger hormone) receptor. It is known for strong growth hormone release but also significant appetite stimulation.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a synthetic six-amino-acid peptide and one of the most potent compounds that trigger growth hormone release. Beyond its growth hormone effects, research also shows heart-protective properties that work independently of growth hormone.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2) is a synthetic six-amino-acid peptide that triggers growth hormone release. It is considered more potent than GHRP-6 with less appetite stimulation.