In the past two years or so, my body has undergone a dramatic transformation. I have lost only 10 pounds of my original weight, but as far as muscle and bodyfat is concerned, I look like an entirely different person. I owe this transformation to Intermittent Fasting, aka IF, and a few supplements that have aided in the transition. By far, the most effective of those supplements has been Growth Releasing Peptides.
First a quick explanation of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides. There are two basic types of Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides, the GRF (Growth Releasing Factor) and Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides (GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and my favorite, Ipamorelin). If you have any doubt of the efficacy of these compounds, a quick Pubmed search will cure what ails you. Here’s where the magic began, though. I think almost everyone has heard of Sermorelin, which was the original GHRP. It has been used in clinical practice to elevate GH levels and does a decent job of that. Along with that effect came unwanted side effects like increased Cortisol, increased Prolactin and increased hunger due to increased Grehlin production, a hormone found in the gut that influences appetite. Those side effects, along with the fact that it really didn’t elevate it to any dramatic extent, has kept interest at bay. That and the fact that Sermorelin is available by prescription only.
After several years of research, scientists came up with a GHRP that does all the things we want it to do, but without the side effects that we don’t want. That GHRP is called Ipamorelin. But even Ipamorelin by itself will only do so much. You see, we need to initiate a pulse and then let Ipamorelin amplify that pulse. That’s where GRF comes in. Also known as CJC-1295 w/o DAC, or Modified GRF 1-29, this substance actually initiates the pulse. Before using this extra compound all we could do is hope that a pulse was coming when administering Ipamorelin. Well you don’t have to wait any more. And as a matter of fact, the two together create a very strong pulse, and when used several times a day, these pulses can add up to around 2-4ius of Human Growth Hormone. That’s a serious dose of Growth Hormone if fat loss and muscle preservation is your main priority.
This is where Intermittent Fasting has found its answer. I believe now that IF is the single best way to lose fat and to keep it off. I don’t believe humans were intended to eat 6 times a day and I don’t think skipping meals is detrimental. What WAS detrimental was eating absolute crap when we did end up eating, and then there is always the fact we begin to use muscle as energy when we fast for any given amount of time. That can usually be offset by consuming a protein drink throughout the day, but it is still no perfect solution.
The perfect solution comes in the form of the two compounds I mentioned earlier, GRF 1-29 and Ipamorelin. Together these compounds create a beautiful pulse of Growth Hormone, which is a hormone that can have a powerful influence on bodyfat (it increases the release of fat from our cells to use for energy) and muscle preservation (it inhibits the systems that would normally initiate the consumption of muscle mass for food during times of hunger). And the thing about Growth Hormone, is that its best effects come during times of fasting. That’s after all, when our body prefers to release it. So taking these two peptides and then gorging on food is probably not the best protocol.
So the real magic happens when you are entering a fasting window during IF (usually for 16 hours a day – don’t worry, you’re usually asleep for the first 8). So a nightly dose of the Growth Hormone Releasers and then another round the next morning is a perfect way to guarantee two things. One, your fat cells will be dumping fatty acids into the bloodstream to use for energy, which you will need because you’re not consuming food, and two, it will ensure that the muscle you’ve worked hard to build will still be there after you break your fast and begin to eat.
I still encourage anyone to try IF regardless of your interest in these compounds. And I still encourage anyone to try these compounds regardless of your interest in fasting. But if you really want to see some magic happen, use all of them together and watch the show happen.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome article! Glad I found someone else with a little bit more interest on this particular subject.
Really interesting article. Sounds exactly what I’m looking for.
Thanks, Joe
Hi John I probably should preface this first, that I am 59 years young and still lifting and into taking supplements, ( ie. Whey protein, creatine, bcaa, etc. ) I’m in really good shape and very healthy, ( knock on wood ) I’m looking for something to get rid of that stubborn last 2-3 inches off my oblique area. These two products sound like they may be what I’ve been looking for? Any update on the results if any ?
Thanks, Joe
Joe, I have been using peptides for almost two straight years now. I’ve never looked like I do now. Granted, there are a few things I’ve done differently, especially in the androgen department, but this is the first time I’ve ever been able to stay relatively lean while being laxed on my diet. I’m sure if I tightened things up and ate a little cleaner I would be able to get very lean. The trick with this is that it takes about six months to really see the results of your work. But the results are amazing and I can’t believe I hadn’t been using this before.
What dosages are recommended for the Ipamorelin & Modified GRF 1-29?
Well, this is all for research purposes only, so I hesitate to go into dosages. Purely from a hypothetical perspective, 100mcg of each three times daily is a good start. 250mg of each three times daily is optimal. 500mcg of each will bring a slightly better response, but I would rather try and increase the amount of pulses rather than increase the amplitude of one. So I would use one more pulse to make it a total of 4 x 250mcg each. Again, just hypothetically speaking.
Hello Bo, 100 micrograms of each will create the optimal pulse. This “saturation dose” has proven to be the best in result to side effect ratio, with little improvement in surpassing. All according to studies with pure product and test markers on every participant.
So I ordered the Ipamorelin and asssume like Selank, I should re-constitute with Baseleoric
water, and inject? Is there a preferred place on the body to make injection ( I have actually never injected myself before), and is the injection intramuscular vs intravenous? Alternatively I could make a nasal spray, but don’t like losing 30% of the product.
I really appreciate your useful info and feedback.
Thanks very much,
Josh
The six month wait is just a myth, In fact, coupled with IF you could feasibly notice a difference the first week..
Evan, I agree with you to a certain extent. It doesn’t take as long as some people think in order to notice results, but it also takes time for the genetic switches to be flipped and in full motion. Most people take GH, hoping for a quick cosmetic boost like they get from AAS, but the changes with GH are more subtle and take a little more time to really really manifest. I can tell a difference withing a few weeks, but I am incredibly sensitive to noticing changes in my body. But I also notice it really takes at least a few weeks to notice dramatic changes, like pants being too small and thighs being to thick to fit in the old pair of jeans for instance.
You’re definitely spot on with the comment about Intermittent Fasting combined with GH releasers being a really legit way to get insane results. If you IF with a strict paleo type of diet when you are eating, it’s just ridiculous what can happen in a short period of time.
Thanks for the feedback! Keep it coming!
Hi do you know with regular use will Ipamorelin raise IGF -1 levels to high? Could this be a problem. Thanks Frank. PS can you recommend a good source for Ipamorelin . I bought from Labpe before but it seems they are not selling it anymore on there site. Thanks again.Frank
I used to think the peptides didn’t raise IGF-1 levels substantially, only because the surges in GH are brief, rather than extended like you get with exogenous GH. But I have also spoken with a researcher recently who mentioned that it did in fact elevate IGF-1 above baseline for an extended period of time, so I’m not convinced yet either way.