HGH fragment engineered for fat metabolism without systemic HGH effects.
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone — specifically the last 16 amino acids of the GH molecule (the 176–191 region) with an added tyrosine. It was engineered to isolate the fat-burning portion of growth hormone while leaving out the parts that raise blood sugar and drive tissue growth.
The idea is appealing: stimulate the breakdown of fat (lipolysis) and discourage the formation of new fat, without elevating IGF-1 or causing the insulin resistance that full growth hormone can. In animal and test-tube work it does exactly that.
The honest catch is the human data. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals ran clinical trials in obese adults and, while AOD-9604 was very well tolerated, it did not produce significantly more weight loss than placebo at the doses tested. It earned food-safe (GRAS) status in the US but never became an approved weight-loss drug, so most real-world use is anecdotal.
Promotes fat breakdown and may discourage new fat storage, without raising blood sugar.
Strong preclinical lipolysis data; human weight-loss trials were not better than placebo
Aims for GH-style fat metabolism without IGF-1 elevation or insulin resistance.
Mechanistically supported; clinical benefit modest
Early research explores AOD-9604 for cartilage and connective-tissue repair, often combined with other peptides.
Preclinical interest; not established in humans
We rate every peptide honestly across four dimensions — and tell you what it's not.
Evidence Profile
An HGH fragment heavily marketed for fat loss, but human trials largely failed to show meaningful weight-loss benefit.
Mostly preclinical (animal/in-vitro) evidence with a clear mechanism. Human effects are largely anecdotal.
Controlled trials & clinical data in people
Human obesity trials did not show significant fat-loss vs placebo.
Preclinical results in animal models
Lipolytic effects reported in some animal/in-vitro studies.
How plausibly it works at a biological level
Proposed lipolysis via a fragment of the GH molecule.
Depth of documented safety in humans
Generally tolerated in trials; effectiveness, not safety, is the issue.
Men wanting a mild, side-effect-light fat-loss aid that won't affect blood sugar or IGF-1
Effects are subtle next to GLP-1s or true GH secretagogues. Best paired with a calorie deficit and training rather than relied on alone.
Women seeking a gentle, well-tolerated fat-loss adjunct
No hormonal interactions reported and generally well tolerated. Set realistic expectations — human evidence for meaningful weight loss is weak. Avoid in pregnancy.
This section is always free and never locked.
The effects most commonly reported with AOD-9604, when they tend to show up, and how to manage them.
Eat smaller, lower-fat meals; titrate slowly; it usually fades within 1–2 weeks at a stable dose.
Hydrate well, add fiber, stay active. Tell your clinician if severe or persistent.
Prioritize protein and don't under-eat — rapid loss can cost muscle. Lift weights.
Rotate sites; let alcohol dry fully before injecting.
Stop immediately and seek medical care — this is a red-flag symptom.
Individual responses vary. Stop and consult a clinician for severe, persistent, or unexpected reactions.
14 steps with photos, pro tips, and a dosing calculator.
Unlock Full Guide7 days free. Then $24/month.
████████ ████
████████ ████
████████ ████
Dosing info requires Core or Pro
Unlock DosingA preview of the member outcomes dashboard. Real, anonymized AOD-9604 results populate here as the community logs data.
See aggregated results from real users — benefit ratings, common goals, side effect frequency, and more.
Unlock with Core or ProGet the complete step-by-step guide, personalized dosing, and daily tracking.
View Full GuidePepCompass provides educational information only. Nothing on this platform constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for informational and research purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol. Individual results vary.