Hexarelin vs IGF-1 LR3
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a potent synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. It provides the strongest GH release among GHRPs but is associated with rapid desensitization of receptors.
Full details →IGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) is a modified version of IGF-1 with extended half-life and enhanced potency. The modifications prevent binding to IGF binding proteins, increasing bioavailability.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Hexarelin | IGF-1 LR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 100 mcg–300 mcg | 20 mcg–100 mcg |
| Frequency | 2x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 8–12 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Acts as a ghrelin mimetic with high potency at the GHS receptor. Provides powerful GH release but receptor desensitization occurs faster than with other GHRPs, requiring cycling. | Binds to IGF-1 receptors to promote protein synthesis, muscle growth, and fat metabolism. The LR3 modification (13 amino acid extension and arginine substitution) extends half-life from minutes to 20-30 hours. |
| Typical Dosage | Typical dosing: 100-200mcg administered 2-3 times daily for 4-6 weeks, followed by an equal off period to allow receptor resensitization. | Research protocols typically use 20-100mcg daily, often divided into multiple injections or administered bilaterally to target muscles. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Cycling is essential to maintain effectiveness. Often used in short bursts rather than continuous protocols. | Intramuscular injection (site-specific growth) or subcutaneous for systemic effects. Often cycled 4-6 weeks on, equal time off. |
| Side Effects | Water retention, cortisol and prolactin increase, hunger (moderate), tingling, and potential blood pressure effects. | Hypoglycemia, joint pain, water retention, potential jaw/hand growth with extended use, and injection site reactions. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Hexarelin, IGF-1 LR3 are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to IGF-1 LR3:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
| Goal | Hexarelin | IGF-1 LR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Growth | high | high |
| Recovery & Healing | medium | medium |
Key Studies
Hexarelin
- Hexarelin promotes the survival of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve transection.
Indian journal of pharmacology, 2026
- Hexarelin alleviates apoptosis on ischemic acute kidney injury via MDM2/p53 pathway.
European journal of medical research, 2023
- Hexarelin attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and inflammasome activation.
Microvascular research, 2022
IGF-1 LR3
- IGF-1 LR3 does not promote growth in late-gestation growth-restricted fetal sheep.
American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism, 2025
- Revolutionary decellularized Alstroemeria stem-based nerve conduit integrated with GelMA and controlled IGF-1 LR3 release for enhanced rat sciatic nerve regeneration.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2025
- Attenuated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion during an acute IGF-1 LR3 infusion into fetal sheep does not persist in isolated islets.
Journal of developmental origins of health and disease, 2023
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