Growth Hormone- Releasing Peptides vs. Human Growth Hormones: What’s the Difference?

Peptides are gaining more recognition and interest for their ability to stimulate a wide range of health benefits, including weight management, stress management, and muscle growth. People looking to support their muscle mass without the risk of synthetic growth hormones are turning to growth hormone-releasing peptides. And although they sound similar there is a sharp distinction between this class of peptides and the synthetic human hormones that we have come to associate with doping scandals and shamed athletes. 

What are growth hormones?

Growth hormones are small proteins that our pituitary glands naturally secrete. These hormones stimulate the growth of bones and cartilage, but production begins to steadily decline around the age of 30. 

As our natural levels of growth hormone decline over time, it becomes harder to build and maintain lean muscle mass. But supplementing with the right growth hormone peptides can trigger your body’s production of natural growth hormones to support lean muscle mass. 

How do growth hormone-releasing peptides work?

Peptides stimulate the pituitary gland to produce and release natural growth hormones, and  supplementing with the right growth hormone-releasing peptides can trigger your body’s production of natural growth hormones to support lean muscle mass. 

Ipamorelin and CJC 1295 are two growth hormone peptides that are commonly administered together. Ipamorelin stimulates the release of growth hormones

CJC-1295 can increase and sustain levels of growth hormones. By triggering and helping to sustain growth hormone production Ipamorelin and CJC 1295 can help you reduce fat and build lean muscle mass. 

What are synthetic human growth hormones?

Synthetic human growth hormones increase growth hormone levels exogenously, and in doing so they actually inhibit any natural production of growth hormones by the pituitary gland. 

Synthetic growth hormone injections also induce sharp increases and fast declines in growth hormone levels, because synthetic hormones don’t align with the normal fluctuations of natural growth hormones, which are influenced by sleep cycles, exercise and food intake. As a result, reaping the muscle building benefits of synthetic growth hormone requires daily tracking. 

If you’re looking to build lean muscle mass, growth hormone-releasing peptides are the safer choice. In addition to being illegal in most professional leagues, synthetic human growth hormones are also risky and are often accompanied by negative side effects like, increased insulin resistance, swelling, pain, and increased risk of cancers. 

Learn more about peptides here