You’ve started your sermorelin therapy, excited about the potential benefits: better energy, improved sleep, enhanced focus, and a general feeling of vitality. But a few days in, you’ve noticed something unexpected: you’re hungrier than usual. Your stomach growls between meals, and you catch yourself thinking about food more often than before.
Is it all in your head, or could sermorelin actually be making you hungry?
At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we’ve guided countless patients through their sermorelin treatments. While increased hunger isn’t always a side effect, it’s something many people report. Understanding why it happens (and how to manage it) can help you stay on track with your health goals. In this article, we’ll explain the science behind sermorelin-related hunger and share practical tips to help you feel your best while staying in control of your appetite.
Why you may feel hungrier on sermorelin
Sermorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that stimulates your pituitary gland to increase human growth hormone (HGH) production. While its primary role is to help restore optimal hormone levels, its effects can ripple into other areas of your physiology, including your appetite. Here are some reasons why you may be hungrier than usual.
You’re injecting sermorelin on an empty stomach
One of the most common protocols for sermorelin involves taking the injection on an empty stomach, either first thing in the morning or before bed. That’s because food, especially anything containing sugar or fat, can interfere with sermorelin’s absorption and effectiveness. Naturally, injecting the medication when your stomach is already empty can heighten your awareness of hunger, even if the medication itself isn’t directly responsible.
It may increase ghrelin, the “hunger hormone”
There’s a well-established relationship between HGH and ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite. Ghrelin is a hormone secreted in the stomach and signals your brain when it’s time to eat. Sermorelin doesn’t increase ghrelin, but by stimulating the release of growth hormone, it may indirectly influence your ghrelin levels, making you feel hungrier than usual.
Hormonal shifts can affect appetite regulation
Sermorelin therapy initiates a cascade of hormonal changes that affect not just growth hormone levels but also metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat utilization. As your body shifts into a more anabolic, fat-burning state, it may require more energy, and that can translate to an increase in appetite as your metabolism speeds up.
Your body is adjusting to a new metabolic rhythm
When you begin your hormone therapy, your body enters a new phase of hormonal balance. These changes don’t just happen overnight; they develop over time and can temporarily disrupt your internal rhythms, including hunger cues. Feeling hungry may simply be a sign that your body is recalibrating itself in response to the new hormonal environment.
How to manage hunger on sermorelin
While feeling hungrier is not uncommon, it doesn’t mean your diet or progress has to derail. With a few smart strategies, you can manage your appetite and stay aligned with your wellness goals throughout your sermorelin therapy.
Stay hydrated throughout the day
Thirst is often mistaken for hunger, especially during fasting periods when you’re instructed not to eat around your sermorelin dose. Drinking water before and after your injection can help ease hunger pangs and keep you feeling fuller longer. Aim for at least 8 to 10 glasses per day, and consider sipping herbal tea or infused water for variety.
Time your meals strategically
To support sermorelin’s absorption, it’s typically recommended to avoid eating 30 minutes before and after your injection. That said, planning nutrient-dense meals around your dosing window can help reduce appetite later. Ensure your meals are rich in lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats to promote satiety and reduce cravings.
Prioritize balanced, whole-food nutrition
Highly processed foods can spike blood sugar and leave you feeling hungrier soon after eating. Focus on whole foods that provide long-lasting energy: lean proteins like chicken, fish, or tofu; complex carbohydrates like oats, sweet potatoes, and brown rice; and healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and avocados. A stable blood sugar level can help reduce hunger.
Include fiber-rich snacks to stay full
If you find yourself needing something between meals, choose snacks high in fiber to slow digestion and extend fullness. Raw vegetables with hummus, a piece of fruit with nut butter, or Greek yogurt with flaxseeds can keep you satisfied without spiking your appetite further.
Be mindful, not reactive
Sometimes, hunger isn’t just about physical need, but also about habit or emotion. Sermorelin may make you more aware of these patterns. Practicing mindfulness around meals can help you distinguish between real hunger and emotional cravings. Try waiting 10 to 15 minutes before reaching for a snack to see if the hunger or urge passes.
Optimize your journey with sermorelin
Feeling hungrier on sermorelin is common, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. Whether it’s due to injection timing, hormonal interactions, or metabolic shifts, understanding the root causes of this increased appetite can help you manage it more effectively.
At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we prescribe sermorelin and support you every step of the way. From personalized treatment plans to nutrition and lifestyle coaching, we ensure you get the full benefits of hormone therapy while maintaining balance in all areas of your life. Please schedule a consultation to explore your options and manage any possible side effects.
