Human Growth Hormone (HGH) vs Mod GRF 1-29 vs Tesamorelin
A three-way comparison to help you find 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 →Mod GRF 1-29
Mod GRF 1-29 (Modified GRF 1-29, also called CJC-1295 without DAC or Tetrasubstituted GRF 1-29) is a modified growth hormone-releasing hormone analog with improved stability over natural GHRH.
Full details →Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is FDA-approved under the brand name Egrifta for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Human Growth Hormone (HGH) | Mod GRF 1-29 | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Binds to GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland to stimulate growth hormone release. Four amino acid substitutions improve resistance to enzymatic degradation while maintaining biological activity. | Stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone by binding to GHRH receptors. Increases IGF-1 levels which promotes lipolysis and reduces visceral adipose tissue. |
| 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. | Typical dosing: 100-300mcg administered 2-3 times daily, usually combined with a GHRP like Ipamorelin for synergistic effects. | FDA-approved dose: 2mg administered subcutaneously once daily. Research protocols may use various dosing schedules. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection, preferably at night to mimic natural pulsatile release. Rotate injection sites. Store refrigerated. | Subcutaneous injection. Best administered on empty stomach. Short half-life (~30 minutes) necessitates multiple daily doses, unlike DAC version. | Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen. Rotate injection sites. Best administered at the same time daily, preferably in the evening. |
| Side Effects | Joint pain, water retention, carpal tunnel syndrome, potential insulin resistance, and acromegaly features with long-term high doses. | Flushing, headache, dizziness, and injection site reactions. Generally well-tolerated. May cause water retention. | Common side effects include injection site reactions (erythema, pruritus), joint pain, peripheral edema, and muscle pain. May cause elevated blood glucose. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Mod GRF 1-29, Tesamorelin are all commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Human Growth Hormone (HGH):
Unique to Mod GRF 1-29:
Detailed Analysis
Commonalities
Both Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Mod GRF 1-29 are commonly used for Muscle Growth, Fat Loss, Recovery & Healing, Sleep Quality.
Which Should You Choose?
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has stronger evidence for Fat Loss, Recovery & Healing.
Commonalities
Both Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Tesamorelin are commonly used for Muscle Growth, Fat Loss.
Which Should You Choose?
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has stronger evidence for Muscle Growth.
Commonalities
Both Mod GRF 1-29 and Tesamorelin are commonly used for Muscle Growth, Fat Loss.
Which Should You Choose?
Mod GRF 1-29 has stronger evidence for Muscle Growth. Tesamorelin has stronger evidence for Fat Loss.