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GHRH

Research use

Growth hormone releasing hormone (44 amino acids)

Last updated 29 October 2026

GHRH is the body's own hormone that tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The synthetic form, and its fragments such as sermorelin, are studied and marketed to raise growth hormone. It has no UK marketing authorisation as sold here, and it is prohibited in sport.

Key points

GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) is the natural signal from the brain that prompts growth hormone release.
The full length hormone is 44 amino acids; shorter analogues such as sermorelin copy its active part.
A form has been used medically in diagnostic testing of the pituitary, but it is not a general treatment here.
It has no UK marketing authorisation as sold online, and growth hormone releasing peptides are prohibited in sport.

Quick facts

What it is: Growth hormone releasing hormone, 44 amino acids
Used for: Pituitary diagnostic testing; marketed to raise GH
UK status: Not a licensed medicine as sold online
In sport: On the WADA Prohibited List

How it works

GHRH binds its receptors in the pituitary gland and prompts the release of growth hormone in natural pulses, which raises IGF-1. Because it works through the gland's own feedback, the body's normal controls still apply. Analogues such as sermorelin and tesamorelin are built on the same active part of the molecule.

What the evidence shows

The firmest use of GHRH is in diagnostic testing of pituitary function. For raising growth hormone as a treatment, the evidence largely comes from its analogues rather than the full hormone, and controlled trials for body composition or ageing are lacking.

What it does not settle

There is little trial evidence for the full hormone as a treatment, as opposed to a diagnostic agent.
Long term safety for this purpose is not established.
Benefits for body composition or ageing are not proven.

Side effects

Common

Injection site reactions, flushing and headache.
Possible water retention and changes in blood sugar.

Less common but serious

Raising the growth hormone axis is generally avoided in active cancer and pituitary tumours.
Where there is no licensed product, the dose, purity and contents of material bought online cannot be verified.

Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

UK legal status and access

GHRH sold online has no UK marketing authorisation, so it is not a licensed medicine and is not offered by registered clinics or pharmacies for general use. Genuine growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed and treated with licensed medicines under specialist care.

Common questions

What is GHRH?

The body's own hormone that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone. Analogues such as sermorelin copy its active part.

How is it different from sermorelin?

Sermorelin is a shorter fragment of GHRH. Both act on the same receptors to prompt growth hormone release.

Is it allowed in sport?

No. Growth hormone releasing hormones and peptides are on the WADA Prohibited List.

The licensed route

Growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed with blood tests and treated with licensed medicines under specialist care. A registered clinician can advise.

Factual reference only, not medical advice. We give no dosing for unlicensed compounds.

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