Region — US. Neutral scientific reference — not offered for sale here.

Explore Shop Tools Journal TrustSearch ⌕

Explore  /  Hexarelin (Examorelin)

Research reference — not for sale

Hexarelin (Examorelin)

B

best evidence

Peptide⚠ WADA-banned

also called — Hexarelin · INN examorelin · developer code EP 23905

GH secretagogue / ghrelin agonistcardiac (CD36)(studied:) GH deficiency, heart failure — research context

Reference entry — not sold here. The most potent of the classic GHRPs and the most pharmacologically distinctive — the only one that also acts on a cardiac receptor, with effects independent of growth hormone. No dosing published here.

In brief

Hexarelin (examorelin) is the most potent classic GHRP and the most distinctive — uniquely, alongside the ghrelin receptor it binds the cardiac CD36 receptor, producing direct cardioprotective effects independent of GH (documented even in GH-deficient models, and abolished in CD36-knockouts). It reached Phase 2 for both GH deficiency and heart failure but was never approved. The cardiac biology is genuinely interesting and legitimate — but it is preclinical/early, and the popular anti-aging use is untested in humans. Banned in sport.

Legal standing, by region

International

See note

- Everywhere — not approved for human therapeutic use (Phase 2 reached, never marketed). Research compound. Not FDA-approved, and reportedly not on the FDA Category-2 list (a slightly different position from GHRP-2/6). - ⚠ Sport: WADA-prohibited at all times — Section S2.2 (GH secretagogues).

⚠ WADA-prohibited in sportSport: WADA-prohibited at all times — Section S2.2 (GH secretagogues).

Evidence, by outcome

An honest grade per outcome — drawn from the evidence, not any catalogue. Hype and undemonstrated marketing claims grade low.

OutcomeEvidence base · effectGrade

GH release

Real, potent pharmacology; GH response desensitises with continuous use

Most potent GHRP (~10× GHRP-6); human PK · Strong, sustained GH pulse

B

Cardioprotection (CD36, GH-independent)

Preclinical / early; Phase 2 didn't complete; not an established therapy

Preclinical (infarct ↓40–60%, LV function ↑, anti-fibrotic; CD36-KO abolishes it) + incomplete Phase 2 · Genuine, mechanistically distinct

C

Metabolic / "fat-burning" (CD36 / adipocyte)

Preclinical

Preclinical (Rodrigue-Way 2007) · Mitochondrial biogenesis

C

Anti-aging / body composition (the popular use)

Untested for these goals

None in humans · Not demonstrated

F

Safety

Raises cortisol/prolactin; GH desensitisation; WADA-banned

Research + PK data · Characterised (short-term)

—

Identity a synthetic hexapeptide (6 amino acids, < 40 aa → peptide) derived from GHRP-6 by a D-2-methyltryptophan substitution that boosts potency and metabolic stability. Uniquely among GHRPs, it engages two receptors: the ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a (for GH release) and the cardiac scavenger receptor CD36. ## Development & history - Developed in the early 1990s by Romano Deghenghi at Europeptides (Argenteuil, France) and Mediolanum Farmaceutici (Italy) — Deghenghi being a central figure in GHRP chemistry.

Reached Phase 2 clinical trials for both GH-deficiency (diagnosis/therapy) and congestive heart failure — but did not advance to Phase 3 and was never marketed. ## Mechanism (as proposed) through GHS-R1a (the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs → GH release and downstream IGF-1 (like all GHRPs). Separately, through CD36 on cardiomyocytes → activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pro-survival signalling → protection from ischemic apoptosis, improved contractility and reduced fibrosis — independent of GH. This dual-receptor engagement is unique among GH secretagogues.

Sources — 3 cited

01Bodart V, Ong H, et al. CD36 mediates the cardiovascular action of growth-hormone-releasing peptides in the heart. Circ Res. 2002. (CD36 identification)

02Locatelli V, Rossoni G, Deghenghi R, et al. Growth-hormone-independent cardioprotective effects of hexarelin in the rat. Endocrinology. 1999.

03Rodrigue-Way A, et al. A GHRP promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and a fat-burning phenotype through CD36 in white adipocytes. Endocrinology. 2007.

Review status

Not yet reviewed

A credentialed reviewer (PharmD / PhD / MD) will be named before this entry is finalised. Until then, treat it as a working draft. Last updated July 2026.

Grades reflect the published evidence, not our interest. No dosing, reconstitution, or administration is published for research compounds — that restraint is deliberate.

Related compounds

GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin)B

Explore by goal

GH & endocrine →

A neutral reference and a lawful-lane shop. Registered in Spain. Information for those who seek it — never promotion.

Region — United States

ExploreRegister Categories Trust & COA

ShopCosmetic peptides Journal

TermsPrivacyCookiesReturnsShippingImprint

This site provides neutral scientific reference and sells only products lawful in your region. Nothing here is medical advice, a recommendation, or an offer to supply unapproved medicines. No dosing or administration is published for research compounds. Cosmetic peptides per Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. Unapproved injectable peptides are neither sold nor advertised in the EU (Directive 2001/83/EC, Title VIII). © 2026 Vallydia SL — Registered in Spain.

Hexarelin (examorelin) — evidence, the CD36 cardiac story & status · Vallydia