Best Compounds for Muscle Growth

Peptides studied for lean mass development, muscle protein synthesis, and body composition.

42 compounds ranked by research effectiveness

01

HGH

FDA Approved

Human Growth Hormone | Somatropin

Fat Loss effective
Lean Mass effective
Recovery Enhancement effective
Half-life: 3-4 hours (SC), 20-30 minutes (IV)
02

IGF-1 LR3

limited

Modified Growth Factor Analog | Muscle Growth

Hypertrophy most effective
Anti-Catabolic effective
Hyperplasia effective
Half-life: 20-30 hours
03

MK-677

Well Studied

Ghrelin Receptor Agonist | Oral Growth Hormone Secretagogue

Muscle Preservation most effective
Fat-Free Mass effective
Metabolic Rate effective
Half-life: ~24 hours
04

Testosterone

FDA Approved

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid | Primary Male Sex Hormone

Muscle Mass Preservation most effective
Fat Mass Reduction effective
Strength Enhancement effective
Half-life: ~8 days (cypionate)
05

Tesamorelin

FDA Approved

GHRH Analog | Visceral Fat Reduction

Lean Mass Preservation moderate
IGF-1 Elevation moderate
Half-life: 26-38 minutes
06

Dianabol

Well Studied

Oral Anabolic Steroid | Classic Mass Builder

Rapid Mass Gain most effective
Strength Enhancement most effective
Cycle Kickstart most effective
Half-life: ~4-6 hours
07

Trenbolone

Moderate Research

19-Nor Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid | Potent Recomposition Agent

Advanced Recomposition most effective
Contest Preparation / Cutting most effective
Lean Bulking most effective
Half-life: ~3 days (acetate)
08

Anadrol

FDA Approved

Oral Anabolic Steroid | Extreme Mass & Strength

Rapid Mass Gain most effective
Strength Enhancement most effective
Half-life: ~8-9 hours
09

Boldenone

Moderate Research

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid | Lean Mass & Vascularity

Lean Mass Accretion effective
Body Recomposition effective
Vascularity and Aesthetic Conditioning effective
Aerobic Endurance most effective
Strength Enhancement moderate
Recovery Between Training Sessions effective
Half-life: ~14 days (undecylenate)
10

ACE-031

Emerging

Myostatin Inhibitor | Experimental Muscle Growth

Muscle Hypertrophy most effective
Muscular Dystrophy effective
Muscle Wasting / Cachexia effective
Fat Loss effective
Bone Density moderate
Half-life: 12-15 days
11

GHRP-6

Well Studied

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6 | Hexapeptide GHS

Muscle Growth effective
Appetite Stimulation most effective
Recovery Enhancement effective
Half-life: 15-60 minutes
12

Nandrolone

FDA Approved

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid | Joint & Collagen Support

Lean Mass Accretion most effective
Strength Enhancement effective
Half-life: ~6-12 days (decanoate)
13

Sermorelin

Well Studied

GHRH Analog | Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone

Lean Body Mass Enhancement most effective
IGF-1 Mediated Growth effective
Athletic Recovery effective
Half-life: 10-12 minutes
14

Primobolan

Well Studied

Anabolic Steroid | Lean Mass & Low Side Effect Profile

Lean Mass Preservation During Caloric Deficit most effective
Lean Mass Accretion moderate
Body Recomposition effective
Half-life: ~10 days (enanthate)
15

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Extensively Studied

EPO | Red Blood Cell Stimulating Hormone

Endurance Enhancement most effective
Altitude Acclimatization effective
Half-life: 4-12 hours (IV), ~25 hours (SubQ)
16

IGF-1 DES

Limited

Truncated IGF-1 Analog | Localized Muscle Growth

Localized Hypertrophy most effective
Hyperplasia effective
Recovery effective
Half-life: 20-30 minutes
17

MGF

limited

Mechano Growth Factor | IGF-1 Splice Variant

Satellite Cell Activation most effective
Local Muscle Recovery effective
Post-Exercise Recovery effective
Half-life: ~5-7 minutes
18

PEG-MGF

limited

Pegylated Mechano Growth Factor | IGF-1 Splice Variant

Satellite Cell Activation most effective
Delayed Senescence effective
Enhanced Fusion Potential effective
Half-life: 48-72 hours (via PEGylation)
19

MENT

Emerging

19-Nor Anabolic Steroid | Experimental TRT Alternative

Lean Mass Accretion most effective
Strength Enhancement effective
Half-life: ~40 minutes (acetate ester)
20

MK-2866

Moderate Research

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator | Muscle Wasting Research

Cancer Cachexia effective
Sarcopenia moderate
Post-Surgical Muscle Preservation moderate
Lean Mass Gain effective
Body Recomposition effective
Fat Loss Support moderate
Strength Improvement moderate
Recovery Enhancement moderate
Half-life: ~24 hours
21

DHB

Limited

Injectable Anabolic Steroid | Lean Mass Alternative to Primobolan

Lean Mass Accretion effective
Cutting and Recomposition effective
Aesthetic Conditioning effective
Strength Enhancement moderate
Recovery Between Training Sessions effective
Half-life: ~7-9 days (cypionate ester)
22

Liothyronine (T3)

FDA Approved

Thyroid Hormone | Metabolic Optimization

Fat Loss / Cutting effective
Metabolic Rate Optimization moderate
Contest Preparation effective
Half-life: ~1 day
23

GHRP-2

Well Studied

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 | Pralmorelin

Muscle Growth effective
Fat Metabolism effective
Recovery Enhancement effective
Half-life: ~30 minutes
24

Oxandrolone

Well Studied

Oral Anabolic Steroid | Lean Mass & Recovery

Lean Mass Preservation During Caloric Deficit effective
Strength Enhancement effective
Visceral Fat Reduction moderate
Half-life: ~9-10 hours
25

LGD-4033

Moderate Research

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator | Lean Mass

Lean Muscle Mass Gain effective
Strength Enhancement effective
Body Recomposition moderate
Half-life: ~24-36 hours
26

CJC-1295 with DAC

Well Studied

Long-Acting Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog | Extended Release

Fat Loss Enhancement effective
Lean Mass Gains effective
Half-life: 6-8 days
27

Ipamorelin

Well Studied

Growth Hormone Secretagogue | Selective GHRP

Lean Mass Development effective
Fat Loss Support effective
Half-life: ~2 hours
28

MOTS-c

Well Studied

Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide | Metabolic Regulator

Running Performance moderate
Muscle Homeostasis moderate
Recovery Support moderate
Half-life: ~30 minutes
29

Proviron

Well Studied

DHT Derivative | Mood, Libido & Muscle Hardening

Muscle Hardening and Definition effective
Free Testosterone Optimization effective
Half-life: ~12 hours
30

RAD-140

Emerging

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator | Investigational SARM

Lean Muscle Mass Gain effective
Strength Enhancement effective
Body Recomposition moderate
Half-life: ~60 hours
31

Tadalafil

FDA Approved

PDE5 Inhibitor | Erectile Function & Blood Flow

Exercise Blood Flow / Muscle Pump emerging
High-Altitude Exercise Tolerance moderate
Half-life: ~17.5 hours
32

Metformin

FDA Approved

Biguanide | AMPK Activator & Longevity Research

Weight Management moderate
Half-life: ~5 hours
33

Bromantane

Moderate Research

Actoprotector | Dopamine Upregulation & Adaptive Energy

Physical Work Capacity Under Stress effective
Exercise Recovery moderate
Half-life: ~11 hours
34

Masteron

Moderate Research

DHT-Derived Anabolic Steroid | Hardening & Anti-Estrogenic

Cutting and Contest Preparation effective
Recomposition and Aesthetic Enhancement moderate
Half-life: ~2 days (propionate), ~10 days (enanthate)
35

Sildenafil

FDA Approved

PDE5 Inhibitor | Erectile Function & Pulmonary Hypertension

Exercise Blood Flow emerging
Half-life: ~3-5 hours
36

SLU-PP-332

Emerging

Synthetic Pan-ERR Agonist | Exercise Mimetic & Metabolic Modulator

Endurance Improvements effective
Muscle Fiber Remodeling effective
Half-life: Under investigation (no human PK data)
37

Turinabol

Moderate Research

Oral Anabolic Steroid | Lean Gains & Athletic Performance

Lean Mass Accrual effective
Lean Mass Preservation During Caloric Deficit moderate
Half-life: ~16 hours
38

NMN

Moderate Research

NAD+ Precursor | Cellular Energy & Longevity

Exercise Endurance moderate
Muscle Recovery moderate
Half-life: ~2-3 hours (oral)
39

AICAR

limited

5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide | AMPK Activator

Endurance Enhancement moderate
Mitochondrial Biogenesis moderate
Half-life: ~2-3 hours
40

L-Carnitine

established

Amino Acid Derivative | Fatty Acid Transporter

Exercise Recovery moderate
Endurance Support moderate
Half-life: ~2-3 hours (injectable)
41

YK-11

Limited

Myostatin Inhibitor & SARM Hybrid | Experimental

Lean Muscle Mass Gain emerging
Strength Enhancement emerging
Myostatin Inhibition emerging
Half-life: ~6-10 hours
42

Ecdysterone

Moderate Research

Phytoecdysteroid | Natural Anabolic & Performance Enhancer

Body Recomposition under research
Half-life: ~4-9 hours

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