Performance & Growth Peptides

Performance peptides cluster around growth hormone secretagogues, IGF-1 family compounds, and growth factors. This category contains the largest concentration of well-characterized compounds with decades of published research — ghrelin mimetics like Ipamorelin and Hexarelin, GHRH analogs like CJC-1295 and Sermorelin, and IGF-1 variants like IGF-1 LR3 and MGF.

Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS)

Growth hormone secretagogues stimulate endogenous GH release from the anterior pituitary. The two mechanistic families are ghrelin mimetics (GHRPs) and GHRH analogs. Ghrelin mimetics include Ipamorelin (selective, low side-effect profile), GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and Hexarelin. GHRH analogs include CJC-1295 (DAC and no-DAC variants), Sermorelin, and Tesamorelin (the only FDA-approved GHRH analog).

Stacking GHRH + GHRP

The standard performance research protocol combines a GHRH analog with a ghrelin mimetic — typically CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — to produce synergistic GH pulses. The pharmacology is well-documented and the combination is one of the most-studied peptide stacks in the literature. See the peptide stacks guide for the rationale and protocols.

IGF-1 Family

IGF-1 LR3 is a long-acting IGF-1 analog with extended half-life relative to native IGF-1. MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) and PEG-MGF are local growth factors implicated in muscle satellite cell activation. These compounds have substantially different pharmacokinetics than the GH-axis peptides and are typically dosed differently.

Tesamorelin: The FDA-Approved Exception

Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analog with FDA approval — it carries an indication for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Its inclusion in the research-peptide marketplace creates regulatory ambiguity: the same molecule is both an approved drug and a widely-sold research compound. The Tesamorelin dossier covers the regulatory state and supplier landscape.

Supplier Quality for Performance Peptides

Performance peptides see the highest demand-driven counterfeit risk in the research market — particularly CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin, the most-purchased compounds. Verified per-batch testing is essential. Among ranked vendors, Oath Peptides consistently publishes >99% purity HPLC and endotoxin data on the entire GH-axis catalog, making it the verified procurement default in our rankings.

Where to Buy Performance Peptides

Where to buy TB-500 walks through the procurement decision framework that applies to the entire performance category. For comparative shopping, see the supplier comparison matrix and the overall rankings hub.