Muscle & recovery · Healing & injury
MGF, simplified.
Also called Mechano growth factor, IGF-1Ec
Early researchA piece of an IGF-1 variant that muscles make after being stretched or damaged. It is studied for muscle repair, mostly in animals and lab dishes.
- Size
- 24 amino acids
- How it is taken
- Injection
- Status
- Research compound
- Available sizes
- Vials: 2 mg
What is it?
When muscle is loaded or injured, it produces a special form of IGF-1. The tail end of it, called MGF, appears to wake up muscle stem cells for repair. The free peptide breaks down within minutes in the body.
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What studies show
- In the labActivates muscle stem cells in lab cultures.
- In animalsSome animal studies show better muscle repair, but others found no effect.
What we don’t know yet
- Whether it does anything in people. There are no human trials.
Side effects and cautions
- No human safety data.
- Banned in sport by WADA.
Is it legal?
Not FDA-approved for human use.
Dosage & schedule evidence
How to read published schedules
Third-party protocols are not established clinical dosing standards. Safe human dose, frequency, and duration may be unknown. Research findings may not translate to safe or effective personal use.
| Measurement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 mg | 1,000 mcg (mass) |
| 100 U-100 units | 1 mL (volume, not dose) |
See third-party published protocols ↗ for research context. North Star does not validate these schedules.
Consult your doctor before considering any peptide for personal use. Educational only, not administration guidance.
Common questions
What is MGF?
A piece of an IGF-1 variant that muscles make after being stretched or damaged. It is studied for muscle repair, mostly in animals and lab dishes. When muscle is loaded or injured, it produces a special form of IGF-1. The tail end of it, called MGF, appears to wake up muscle stem cells for repair. The free peptide breaks down within minutes in the body.
What does the research say about MGF?
Activates muscle stem cells in lab cultures. Some animal studies show better muscle repair, but others found no effect.
Is MGF FDA approved?
Not FDA-approved for human use.
What are the side effects of MGF?
No human safety data. Banned in sport by WADA.
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This page explains published research in plain language. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything, and it does not give dosing. Most peptides here are not FDA-approved, and products sold online vary widely in purity. Rules around peptides are changing, so check the current status and talk with a licensed clinician before starting anything. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.