Growth hormone and growth factors

This class groups together peptides and related compounds commonly discussed in the context of growth hormone (GH) signaling, GH secretagogues, and downstream growth-factor biology. Examples include GHRH analogs (e.g., sermorelin), ghrelin receptor agonists / GHRPs, GH analogs, and IGF-related research peptides.

In many cases, public discussion moves faster than formal clinical evidence. Regulatory status, product quality, and anti-doping status may vary widely across molecules.

Mechanistic themes vary by molecule, but often include one or more of the following:

• Stimulating endogenous GH release via hypothalamic/pituitary signaling (GHRH analogs) or via ghrelin receptor pathways (GHRPs)
• Delivering GH activity directly (GH analogs) rather than stimulating secretion
• Targeting downstream growth pathways (IGF and growth-factor signaling) in experimental models

These pathways are physiologically potent and can affect multiple organ systems. Interpreting claims requires attention to endpoints, dosing, and the difference between short-term biomarkers and long-term outcomes.

Some members of this broad category have established medical uses in regulated settings (for example, prescription GH in specific deficiency contexts), while many other peptides in the “GH / growth factors” space are primarily encountered as research materials.

In sport, a large portion of this category is restricted or prohibited. If anti-doping rules apply, those rules generally dominate the risk picture.

Common discussion themes include dose-related side effects, metabolic changes, injection-site issues, and the risk of inappropriate use outside regulated indications. For research peptides, additional uncertainty is introduced by manufacturing variability and the absence of robust pharmacovigilance.

Entries in this catalog may include GH secretagogues, GH analogs, and growth-factor peptides. Catalog listings are structural references only and do not comment on appropriateness of any product, source, or protocol.

Evidence in this space often ranges from physiology and biomarker work to preclinical studies and (for some regulated medicines) larger human datasets. When evaluating claims, it helps to ask whether the cited evidence addresses:

• Clinical outcomes vs short-term biomarkers
• Population studied (deficiency vs enhancement contexts)
• Duration (short-term changes vs long-term risk/benefit)

Over time, this page can host high-level questions such as how GH secretagogues differ from GH analogs, what evidence types exist for different compounds, and how to interpret safety signals. Answers will remain educational and non-prescriptive.