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Hexarelin Acetate 5mg — Research Protocol Reference
SKU HX5 · Last reviewed 29 July 2026
Research use only. The parameters below document protocols reported in published research and supplier literature. They are not medical advice, not a prescription, and not a recommendation for human use. Advance Peptides products hold no Health Canada or FDA approval. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any of it.
Hexarelin Acetate is administered via subcutaneous injection on a strict 5-days-on / 2-days-off schedule. Inject fasted, at least 60 minutes before or after food, as insulin elevation blunts the GH pulse.
Morning fasted and pre-sleep are the two preferred windows.
Receptor desensitisation occurs faster with Hexarelin than any other GHRP, the 5-on/2-off schedule and mandatory rest period are not optional.
⚠️ Syringe note: A 3mL micro needle is required for the intro phase of the protocol ⚠️
Recommended Dose Protocol
| Phase | Dose Per Injection | Frequency | Draw Amount |
|---|
| Weeks 1–2 (intro) | 100mcg | Once daily, 5 on / 2 off | 5 units |
| Weeks 3–4 | 150mcg | Once daily, 5 on / 2 off | 7.5 units |
| Weeks 5–8 (maintenance) | 200mcg* | Once daily, 5 on / 2 off | 10 units* |
| Advanced (optional) | 200mcg* | Twice daily, 5 on / 2 off | 10 units* per injection |
| Rest | rest period | 4 weeks | rest period |
| Repeat as needed | 200mcg* | Once daily, 5 on / 2 off | 10 units* |
⚠️ * Titrate up only if needed. Max dose: 200mcg (10 units). Begin at the intro dose and hold for the full intro phase. Advance to the maintenance dose only if the intro dose is well tolerated and additional effect is needed. Do not exceed 200mcg per injection. ⚠️
Hexarelin is the most potent GHS-R1a agonist studied, but receptor desensitisation occurs faster than with any other GHRP. The 5-on/2-off schedule within each week and the 4-week rest between cycles are not optional, continuous daily use without breaks blunts GH response within 10–14 days. Twice-daily dosing at maintenance increases GH output but accelerates desensitisation, advance only if single daily injections are well tolerated and additional efficacy is the clear objective.
Doses above 200mcg per injection show no meaningful additional GH release but significantly elevate cortisol and prolactin. A 5mg vial at 2.5mL BAC yields 25 full doses at 200mcg, one vial covers a complete 8-week cycle at once-daily 5 on / 2 off.
In biohacking forums, 100mcg twice daily (morning fasted + pre-sleep) on a 5-on/2-off schedule for 4–6 week cycles is the most commonly reported protocol, with experienced users noting that shorter, more frequent cycles produce better sustained results than longer continuous runs.
Administration Timing
Hexarelin Acetate is most effective when injected in a fasted state, elevated blood glucose and insulin directly suppress the GH pulse it triggers. Pre-sleep is the most commonly recommended injection window, aligning the GH release with the body's natural nocturnal peak.
- Pre-sleep preferred: The body's largest natural GH pulse occurs during deep sleep, injecting 30–60 minutes before bed in a fasted state synchronises Hexarelin's GH trigger with this peak window for maximum output.
- Fasted state is essential: Inject at least 2–3 hours after your last meal, eating before injection significantly blunts the GH response by elevating insulin and blood glucose, which activate somatostatin (the hormone that suppresses GH release).
- Morning injection as second dose: If using a twice-daily protocol, inject a second dose upon waking in a fasted state before breakfast, this catches the body in its lowest-insulin window of the day.
- Avoid stacking with other GHRPs: Hexarelin and other GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Ipamorelin) compete for the same receptor, combining them does not increase GH output and accelerates receptor desensitisation.
Consistent daily timing matters most, inject at the same time each day throughout the 8-week active cycle to maintain predictable GH pulse patterns.
Notes & Best Practices
- The 8-week-on / 4-week-off cycle is non-negotiable: Hexarelin's GH receptor desensitises faster than any other GHRP, continuous use beyond 8 weeks without a break produces sharply diminishing GH output and wastes the remainder of the cycle.
- Pair with CJC-1295 for synergistic GH release: Hexarelin (GHRP) stacks well with a GHRH analog like CJC-1295 (without DAC), the two work on different receptors and produce a significantly larger combined GH pulse than either alone when injected simultaneously.
- Manage appetite on injection days: Hexarelin activates ghrelin receptors, which typically triggers noticeable hunger 20–30 minutes after injection, plan meals accordingly and don't mistake this hunger signal for low blood sugar.
- One 5mg vial covers the full 8-week cycle: At 200mcg once daily, the 5mg vial provides 25 injections, enough for a complete 8-week protocol with a few doses to spare; no mid-cycle restocking needed.
- Do not use if you have active cancer or pituitary disorders: GH-stimulating peptides are contraindicated with active malignancy, if any relevant health conditions exist, consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting.
High Dosage Side Effects
Taking too much Hexarelin Acetate can increase the likelihood of unwanted side effects. Signs that your dose may be too high include:
- Water retention or puffiness in the hands, face, or feet, associated with elevated GH and IGF-1 activity at higher doses, typically resolving with dose reduction or cycle completion
- Significant hunger or appetite surge 20–30 minutes after injection, a direct effect of ghrelin receptor activation that becomes more pronounced at higher doses and can be disruptive if not anticipated
- Cortisol or prolactin elevation symptoms, Hexarelin raises cortisol and prolactin more than milder GHRPs, with signs including mood changes, fatigue, or reduced libido at doses above 200mcg per injection
- Joint discomfort or stiffness, associated with elevated GH levels at higher doses, consistent with the fluid-retention effects seen with GH axis overstimulation
- Dizziness or flushing shortly after injection, transient and associated with the rapid GH release Hexarelin triggers, settling within a few minutes; if it persists or recurs, reduce the dose at the next injection
Low Dosage Side Effects
A dose may be too low if the expected effects are absent after consistent use. Common indicators:
- No improvement in sleep depth or recovery after 2–3 weeks: Deeper sleep is the earliest sign of a working GHRP protocol. Confirm the pre-sleep dose is injected within 30–60 minutes of bed in a fasted state before adjusting.
- No change in body composition or strength after the full 8-week cycle: Confirm fasted timing at every injection and accurate micro needle draws. If both are correct, a twice-daily protocol at maintenance is the next documented step rather than a higher single dose.
- No appetite signal after injection: Hexarelin activates ghrelin receptors, so mild hunger 20–30 minutes after dosing is the expected marker that the peptide is active. Its complete absence alongside no other effects may point to underdosing or a draw that is too small, confirm the unit count before increasing.
⚠️ This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. ⚠️