GHRP-6 is an effective stimulator of natural Growth Hormone Release from the anterior pituitary. GHRP-6 is also a ghrelin/growth hormone receptor agonist and one of a handful of ghrelin analogues developed in the last several decades. It has been found to have positive effects on heart muscle cells, memory formation, scar formation, sex motivation, and the neurons involved in Parkinson’s disease. GHRP-6 is orally and sublingually active and moderately to highly selective.
The role of physical activity in learning and memory formation has been under active investigation for some time now. Though the exact mechanism has remained elusive, there has always been reason to believe that physical activity improves cognition and learning, particularly when exercise is done immediately following a learning task.
Originally, the benefit of exercise on cognition was chalked up to improved blood flow and vague references to growth hormone (GH). Research in rodents has helped to clarify why GH may be an important factor in memory formation by revealing that GHRP-6 can help to solidify newly formed memories and convert short-term memories into long-term storage[1], [2]. There is also strong evidence to support a role for ghrelin/GHRP-6 in spatial learning tasks[3]. This suggests that exercise-induced cognitive benefits may be mediated through growth hormone secretagogues like ghrelin and that the GH effect may be indirect and, perhaps, secondary to these peptides.
Animal models of stroke are used to investigate the ability of GHRP-6 to protect neurons and other cells in the central nervous system from the effects of poor blood supply. It turns out that GHRP-6 not only protects brain tissue during acute stroke, but can actually rescue memory deficits following a stroke if administration of the peptide is timely[4], [5]. It seems that ghrelin and its analogues inhibit apoptosis (programmed cell death) and reduce inflammation inflammation in the brain, protecting neurons from both their genetic programming and the surrounding environment following stroke.
Research in porcine models of heart attack shows that GHRP-6 can prevent oxidant cytotoxicity, which is to say that peptide protects heart cells from damage by free radicals[9]. There is hope that this finding will lead to the development of drugs that can be administered following a heart attack to protect cells that are vulnerable, but still viable. Such a drug could reduce death and improve long-term outcome following heart attack.
Research in male rats indicates that ghrelin receptors in the central nervous system affect sexual behavior and motivation. Elevated levels of ghrelin, for instance, can boost sexual motivation. Research with GHRP-6 and a modified GHRP-6 designed to antagonize the ghrelin receptor has indicated that ghrelin receptors in specific brain regions help to modulate sex behavior and reward-seeking behavior[10]. These findings are not only applicable to sex and conditions like hypoactive sexual desire disorder, but may also be applicable to hunger and other types of motivation.
There is also evidence to suggest that ghrelin may impact mood as part of its effect on motivation. Research in mice indicates that GHRP-6 and other ghrelin receptor agonists can decrease depression and improve function in parts of the brain associated with mood, particularly in the setting of stress[11]. GHRP-6 could form the basis for research into potential novel treatments for stress, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
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