MK-677

Mechanism

Technically, this is not even a peptide, it just runs with that crowd. A non-peptide ghrelin receptor agonist that gets GH and IGF-1 up the old-fashioned way: a pill, no needle required.

Key Benefit

Increases GH, IGF-1, and lean mass. Improves sleep quality and bone density in elderly. Convenience of oral dosing.

Evidence Base

Multiple human trials back this one, including 2-year data in the elderly. That's more than most peptides on this list can claim. It was never submitted for FDA approval, not once, even with all that human pharmacology data sitting right there.

Route & Rationale

Oral. Non-peptide small molecule. Survives GI transit, making it the only oral option in this class.

Interactions

Increases fasting glucose and insulin resistance. Monitor in pre-diabetics. May worsen edema in CHF. Increases appetite significantly.

Regulatory Status

Not FDA-approved. WADA bans it outright. It gets sold everywhere as a "research chemical," and that label is doing a lot of legal lifting for something people are swallowing every day.

Hard Contraindications

Heart failure (CHF), Diabetes, Cancer (active/history)

For information and research purposes only. This is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use this substance. Discuss anything here with your healthcare provider.