[5] Many of them also induce the secretion of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1),[6] as well as of other hypothalamic-pituitary hormones such as prolactin and cortisol.
The main clinical application of these agents is the treatment of growth hormone deficiency.
[7] They also see black market use, similarly to anabolic steroids, for bodybuilding purposes.
Note that while ulimorelin is a ghrelin receptor agonist, it is not a GHS as it is peripherally selective and has little or no effect on GH secretion.
[8] Likewise, Adenosine is capable of eliciting hunger response as a ghrelin agonist but has little to no effect on GH secretion.