Human Growth Hormone (HGH) vs MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Human Growth Hormone (somatropin) is a 191-amino acid protein identical to naturally produced GH. FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, and other conditions. Widely used off-label for anti-aging and performance.
Full details →MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 that is produced locally in muscle tissue in response to mechanical stress. The non-PEGylated form has a very short half-life.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) | MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 200 mcg–2 mg | 400 mcg–1.2 mg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | Less than daily |
| Cycle Length | 12–24 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | intramuscular |
| Mechanism | Binds to GH receptors throughout the body, stimulating IGF-1 production in the liver. Promotes protein synthesis, fat metabolism, and cellular regeneration across multiple tissues. | Activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) and promotes their proliferation without differentiation, priming them for fusion with existing muscle fibers during repair and growth. |
| Typical Dosage | Medical: 0.1-0.3mg/kg/week divided into daily doses. Anti-aging: 1-2 IU daily. Performance: 2-6 IU daily, sometimes higher. | Due to extremely short half-life (minutes), typical protocols use 100-200mcg injected directly into target muscles immediately post-workout. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection, preferably at night to mimic natural pulsatile release. Rotate injection sites. Store refrigerated. | Intramuscular injection into trained muscles within minutes of workout completion. Must be used immediately after reconstitution due to instability. |
| Side Effects | Joint pain, water retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, potential insulin resistance, and acromegaly features with long-term high doses. | Injection site soreness, potential hypoglycemia, localized swelling. Short half-life limits systemic effects. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Human Growth Hormone (HGH), MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Human Growth Hormone (HGH):
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
- Muscle Growth: Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has stronger research support.
- Recovery & Healing: Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has stronger research support.
| Goal | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) | MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Growth | high | medium |
| Recovery & Healing | high | medium |
Key Studies
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
- Transgenic Artifacts Caused by Passenger Human Growth Hormone.
Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM, 2018
- [Human growth hormone and Turner syndrome].
Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003), 2017
- Significance of the disulphide bonds of human growth hormone.
Endokrynologia Polska, 2013
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
- The role of mechano growth factor in chondrocytes and cartilage defects: a concise review.
Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica, 2023
- Pretreatment with mechano growth factor E peptide attenuates osteoarthritis through improving cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in chondrocytes under severe hypoxia.
International immunopharmacology, 2021
- Mechano growth factor interacts with nucleolin to protect against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.
Experimental neurology, 2020
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