Improving body composition — increasing lean mass while reducing fat — requires optimizing growth hormone pulsatility, enhancing lipolysis in adipose tissue, and driving muscle protein synthesis. Peptide research offers targeted tools for each of these levers without the systemic risks of anabolic steroids.
1. Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) — GH Pulse Optimization
The Ipamorelin/CJC combination produces clean, physiological GH pulses that enhance lipolysis, increase lean mass, improve sleep quality, and accelerate recovery. Unlike synthetic GH, this stack works through the natural pituitary axis, preserving feedback regulation.
Dosing Protocol: 200–300 mcg Ipamorelin + 100–200 mcg CJC-1295 SubQ before bed. 5 on/2 off. Cycle 12–16 weeks.
2. AOD-9604 — Selective Fat Burning
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of GH (hGH 176-191) that retains the lipolytic activity of GH without affecting IGF-1 levels or causing insulin resistance. It directly stimulates fat cell breakdown and inhibits lipogenesis, making it ideal for targeting stubborn body fat.
Dosing Protocol: 300–500 mcg SubQ daily, preferably fasted in the morning or pre-workout. Cycle: 12 weeks.
3. IGF-1 LR3 — Lean Muscle Accretion
IGF-1 LR3 drives satellite cell activation and muscle fiber hypertrophy — the direct anabolic complement to GH secretagogue use. It enhances nutrient partitioning, driving calories into muscle rather than fat stores, and significantly amplifies the response to resistance training.
Dosing Protocol: 20–40 mcg SubQ or IM post-workout. Strict 4-week cycles with 4–6 week breaks. Monitor glucose.
4. Tesamorelin — Visceral Fat Reduction
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved GHRH analog clinically proven to reduce visceral adipose tissue — the metabolically dangerous fat around organs. It is specifically effective for abdominal fat reduction and works synergistically with GH secretagogues by amplifying the GHRH signal.
Dosing Protocol: 1–2 mg SubQ daily before bed. One of the most clinically validated peptides for visceral fat. Cycle: 26 weeks (as studied clinically).
Ipamorelin/CJC drives the GH pulse; AOD-9604 translates that into selective fat oxidation; IGF-1 LR3 captures the anabolic side of GH activity for muscle growth; and Tesamorelin specifically targets visceral fat — the most metabolically harmful depot and hardest to shift with exercise alone.
Research Use Only. All information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. PepSherpa does not sell peptides. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any health decisions. Many of the studies cited are preclinical (animal/in-vitro).