Is Sermorelin Worth It?

Happy Monday!

First off, a big thank you to everyone who filled out the survey last week.

I went through every response.

I noticed a clear trend.

Several of you asked me to make more content about peptides I don’t like.

Perhaps you’re tired of hearing about the latest and greatest, or maybe you’re curious about where you could be wasting your money or effort.

Either way, I totally agree with the sentiment.

Today, I want to dig into a peptide that’s everywhere.

One that’s been the darling of anti-aging clinics and hormone doctors for years.

And honestly, I think it’s one of the most overrated peptides in the entire growth hormone world: sermorelin.

Let’s break it down.

Sermorelin

When I say sermorelin is popular, I mean it.

It’s practically the face of “legal” growth hormone peptides.

And if you go to just about any “HRT” or “longevity” clinic in the US, it’s the first thing they’ll pitch you, often at a premium price.

• Why is that? Well, sermorelin was FDA approved at one point. That means doctors can legally prescribe it, insurance may even cover it, and there’s a false sense of safety and efficacy that comes with it.

• However, just because something is FDA approved doesn’t mean it’s the best option. (If you’re a seasoned reader, you already know that.)

So why don’t I like sermorelin?

Keep reading.

History

Let’s rewind to the late 1990s.

Big pharma was deep into the “growth hormone replacement” gold rush.

HGH itself was already a tightly controlled substance, prescribed only for rare conditions.

The hunt was on for a molecule that could safely stimulate your own HGH release.

Preferably, one that could be patented, mass-produced, and (most importantly) sold legally.

• Sermorelin acetate hit the scene as a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH).

• It was first approved for use in children with growth hormone deficiency, but soon, the anti-aging crowd caught wind and started using it off-label for adults.

• Why did clinics love it? Because they could prescribe it without worrying about losing their license. It checked every box for “legal” HRT.

But popularity doesn’t always equal performance.

Mechanism of Action

Sermorelin is a GHRH analog.

That means it mimics a portion of the body’s natural hormone (GHRH) that signals your pituitary gland to produce and release more growth hormone.

• Sermorelin binds to the GHRH receptor in your pituitary

• This stimulates a pulse of endogenous (your own) growth hormone release

• Theoretically, this should lead to increased IGF-1 levels and all the downstream benefits of more HGH: better sleep, improved fat loss, increased muscle mass, and so on

But there’s a huge caveat: Sermorelin’s structure only contains the first 29 amino acids of GHRH, and while this is the “active fragment,” it’s far less potent than newer analogs.

FDA Approval

Let’s pause and talk about that FDA approval for a second.

• Sermorelin, at one point in time, was the only growth hormone releasing peptide with full FDA approval (specifically for pediatric use)

• Because of this, doctors feel comfortable prescribing it to adults off-label

• Compounding pharmacies crank out sermorelin by the kilo for clinics coast-to-coast

But just because you can get it doesn’t mean you should use it.

Most clinics push sermorelin not because it’s the most effective, but because it’s the only thing they can legally put their name on and bill your insurance for.

If you’re paying out of pocket, there are better, more powerful peptides available.

Weak Sauce

Sermorelin is weak.

Of course, it’s better than nothing, and I've spoken to many people who love the results they achieve.

However, when comparing real-world results, sermorelin falls short of the newer growth hormone secretagogues.

• The peak in GH pulse is modest at best, especially in older adults whose pituitary isn’t as responsive

• Clinical outcomes (higher IGF-1, body composition changes) are usually unimpressive

• Most users report minimal to no results compared to HGH or more advanced peptides

What you want is a robust, sustained increase in growth hormone.

Not a blip on the radar.

And for that, I have better recommendations.

The Peptides I’d Use Instead

Let’s talk about what actually works.

My preferred peptides for real growth hormone stimulation:

• Tesamorelin

• CJC-1295 no DAC

• Ipamorelin

Why do I prefer these?

• More potent and longer-lasting effects

• Synergistic action when stacked (CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is a classic combo)

• Higher, more consistent increases in IGF-1

• Greater improvements in sleep, fat loss, muscle recovery, and overall vitality

Sermorelin vs. My Preferred Peptides

Here’s how they stack up, side by side:

Takeaways:

• If you want the best bang for your buck, tesamorelin and the CJC-1295 + ipamorelin combo beat sermorelin every single time

• Sermorelin is mostly popular because of its legal status, not its performance

• Clinics that push sermorelin usually don’t understand peptide science—or are just playing it safe

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been prescribed sermorelin and haven’t seen much of a difference, you’re not alone.

It’s not your fault.

You’re just using a peptide that doesn’t deliver the punch most people want from a growth hormone secretagogue.

• You deserve real, measurable results including deeper sleep, faster recovery, improved body composition

• Don’t settle for “safe but weak” just because it’s the most common prescription

Before you go, today is the LAST day of our 4th of July sale at BioLongevity Labs. That means:

• 25% off the entire store

• An extra 15% off when you use code HUNTERW at checkout

This is your chance to upgrade your peptide stack and experience what’s actually possible when you use the right tools.

Best,

Hunter Williams