Hormone-Axis Peptides — CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin
Nudge, don't replace
Unlike injectable growth hormone (hGH), growth hormone secretagogues work upstream — they prompt your pituitary to release its own GH in natural pulses. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, sermorelin, and tesamorelin are the main examples. The theory: physiological pulsatile release vs supraphysiological replacement.
Tesamorelin is the exception
Tesamorelin (a GHRH analogue) is FDA-approved — specifically for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It's the only hormone-axis peptide with full regulatory approval and a clear indication. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, sermorelin are compounded or research-grade in the US.
Match the peptide
Connect each hormone-axis peptide to its primary claim.
Why people are cautious
Raising GH and IGF-1 over baseline for years is not obviously a longevity move. In model organisms, lower IGF-1 signalling generally extends lifespan. Humans with growth-hormone deficiency live longer than average. "Feel better now" and "live longer" may pull in opposite directions for this category.
What to monitor — IGF-1 + glucose, every 3 months
If you're using a GH secretagogue, the practical safety check is IGF-1 quarterly: stay in the upper-quartile of age-adjusted reference, not above. Sustained IGF-1 above the age-quartile ceiling correlates with insulin resistance, fluid retention, joint pain, and at the extreme, an open question about cancer risk (mendelian-randomisation studies show higher lifelong IGF-1 → modestly elevated breast + colorectal + prostate cancer signal). Also monitor fasting glucose + HbA1c — GH is counter-regulatory to insulin, so secretagogues can nudge glucose upward in already-insulin-resistant users.
Key Takeaway
Tesamorelin is the only FDA-approved member of this class. The others live in compounding + research-grade territory. The premise — more GH + IGF-1 = better longevity — is at odds with most of the long-life biology literature. If you're using one, monitor IGF-1 + glucose quarterly and stay in the upper-quartile of the age range, not above. Use with clear eyes.