Region — International. Neutral scientific reference — not offered for sale here.
Research reference — not for sale
Hexarelin (Examorelin)
Blead outcome
GH release
grades vary by outcome ↓
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
- 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).
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
BCardioprotection (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
CMetabolic / "fat-burning" (CD36 / adipocyte)
Preclinical
Preclinical (Rodrigue-Way 2007) · Mitochondrial biogenesis
CAnti-aging / body composition (the popular use)
Untested for these goals
None in humans · Not demonstrated
FSafety
Raises cortisol/prolactin; GH desensitisation; WADA-banned
Research + PK data · Characterised (short-term)
—Disclosure
Vallydia sells its own cosmetic serums, and some ingredients graded here belong to the same categories as those products. Grades are drawn from the published evidence by the method we publish, and applied to our own ingredients on the same terms — our copper-peptide serum is graded no more kindly than the peptides it competes with. We disclose the interest so you can weigh it.
Trade names shown here (for example Matrixyl, Argireline, Syn-Ake) are the property of their respective owners and are used only to identify the ingredient under discussion. Their appearance implies no affiliation with, or endorsement by, the proprietor.
Evidence changes
Get notified if this changes
We track new research and update these grades as the evidence moves. Leave your email and we'll tell you if the evidence for Hexarelin (Examorelin) changes - nothing else.
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.
Chemical identifiers
Cross-reference identifiers for the authoritative external databases — not a recipe, and nothing about how to use it.
InChIKeyRVWNMGKSNGWLOL-GIIHNPQRSA-N
SMILESCC1=C(C2=CC=CC=C2N1)C[C@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC3=CNC4=CC=CC=C43)C(=O)N[C@H](CC5=CC=CC=C5)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CC6=CN=CN6)N
UNII09QF37C617
via PubChem exact-name match (Hexarelin) · high confidence
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.
Updated 2026-07-11
Grades reflect the published evidence, not our interest. No dosing, reconstitution, or administration is published for research compounds — that restraint is deliberate.
VallydiaA neutral reference and a lawful-lane shop. Information for those who seek it — never promotion.
Region — International
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.