AICAR vs GHRP-2
Head-to-head comparison of AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide (Acadesine)) and GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
| Property | AICAR | GHRP-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Performance | Performance |
| Full Name | 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide (Acadesine) | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 |
| Molecular Weight | 338.21 g/mol | 817.97 Da |
| Half-Life | ~2-3 hours | ~25 minutes |
| Amino Acids | Nucleoside analog | 6 |
| Typical Dose | — | 100-300 mcg |
| Route | — | SC / IV |
| Purity | >99% | — |
| Studies Count | 180 | 172 |
| Research Status | Active Research | Approved (Japan) |
AICAR Benefits
- ✓Increases endurance capacity, enhances fatty acid oxidation, promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, improves glucose uptake, cardioprotective effects
GHRP-2 Benefits
- ✓Potent GH release (stronger than GHRP-6)
- ✓Less appetite stimulation than GHRP-6
- ✓Improved body composition
- ✓Enhanced deep sleep quality
- ✓Cytoprotective properties
AICAR Dosing
Research doses: 50-150 mg subcutaneously. Typically administered 30-60 minutes before physical activity in research settings.
GHRP-2 Dosing
Standard: 100-300 mcg SC 2-3 times daily|Pre-bed: 100-200 mcg for GH pulse during sleep|Combined: 100 mcg with CJC-1295 for synergy|Cycle: 8-16 weeks, 4 weeks off
AICAR Side Effects
- ⚠Potential hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis at high doses, injection site reactions. Banned by WADA as a metabolic modulator.
GHRP-2 Side Effects
- ⚠Common: Mild appetite increase, water retention, tingling
- ⚠Moderate: Cortisol elevation at higher doses
- ⚠Rare: Prolactin increase, transient dizziness
- ⚠Better tolerated than GHRP-6 overall
Research Overview
AICAR
Salk Institute researchers demonstrated AICAR could increase endurance in sedentary mice by 44% without exercise training. Activates AMPK, triggering PGC-1α expression, mitochondrial biogenesis, and enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 has strong clinical evidence. Approved in Japan for diagnostic use. Multiple human studies confirm reliable GH stimulation with a favorable side effect profile compared to GHRP-6.
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