Orally active ghrelin-receptor agonist that raises GH and IGF-1 around the clock — no injection required.
MK-677 (ibutamoren) is unique on this list because it is an orally active, non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist — no injections. Taken once daily, it raises growth hormone and IGF-1 around the clock by mimicking ghrelin at the pituitary.
Because it elevates GH/IGF-1 continuously rather than in a single pulse, the effects on sleep, appetite, recovery and muscle fullness can be pronounced. Clinical studies in older adults showed it restored GH/IGF-1 toward youthful levels over months.
The flip side of that around-the-clock elevation is side effects: water retention, increased hunger, occasional lethargy, and a tendency to raise blood sugar and reduce insulin sensitivity — important if you are diabetic or prediabetic.
Raises GH and IGF-1 continuously with simple oral dosing.
Documented in human trials, incl. older-adult studies
Many users report deeper sleep and improved recovery.
Consistent anecdotal reports; GH physiology supports it
Increases appetite and muscle fullness; supports lean mass with training.
Well-reported; comes with water retention
We rate every peptide honestly across four dimensions — and tell you what it's not.
Promising but early. Strong animal data and/or small/preliminary human studies, not yet confirmed in robust trials.
Men who want GH/IGF-1 benefits without injections, in a building or recovery phase
Expect water retention and hunger. Monitor fasting glucose and IGF-1 on longer runs. Take at night if it aids sleep.
Women wanting a convenient oral GH-axis option for recovery and sleep
Water retention and appetite are common. Avoid with uncontrolled blood sugar and in pregnancy.
Convenient oral option; can cause water retention and increased appetite. Avoid in pregnancy.
This section is always free and never locked.
Do not use with active malignancy.
Avoid with uncontrolled diabetes — can raise blood glucose.
Common effects: water retention, increased hunger, lethargy at higher doses.
Monitor fasting glucose and IGF-1 on longer cycles.
The effects most commonly reported with MK-677 (Ibutamoren), when they tend to show up, and how to manage them.
Often the point — but ease the dose if puffiness is excessive.
Try morning dosing if sleep is disrupted.
Monitor glucose/HbA1c, especially if insulin-resistant.
Individual responses vary. Stop and consult a clinician for severe, persistent, or unexpected reactions.
4 steps with photos, pro tips, and a dosing calculator.
Unlock Full Guide7 days free. Then $24/month.
████████ ████
████████ ████
████████ ████
Dosing info requires Core or Pro
Unlock DosingAlways free. Never locked.
A preview of the member outcomes dashboard. Real, anonymized MK-677 (Ibutamoren) 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.