MGF calculator
A splice variant of IGF-1 produced by muscle in response to mechanical damage, studied for muscle repair. No human trials.
Also known as: Mechano Growth Factor, IGF-1Ec
FDA status — not an approved drug Not FDA-approved for any use. MGF (mechano growth factor) is a research peptide and is not reviewed by FDA.
Schedule MGF → Set your dosing schedule and get a phone notification when each dose is due. Free.
What MGF is
MGF (mechano growth factor) is a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene produced locally by muscle tissue in response to mechanical stress and damage. It is studied for its role in initiating muscle repair. Research is preclinical; there are no human trials.
Research depth: 1/5 Animal and cell data on muscle repair; zero human trials. Human trials: None — preclinical only. This measures how much has been studied — counting animal and laboratory work — not whether it works for you.
How MGF works
When muscle is stretched or damaged, it produces MGF, which is thought to activate muscle satellite cells — the stem cells that repair and grow muscle. This local signal appears to be the first step in the repair cascade, distinct from the systemic IGF-1 that follows. The relevance of injected MGF to this process in humans is unproven.
MGF side effects
Commonly reported
- No human safety data — all effects are from animal and cell studies
- Injection-site reactions
Serious — seek medical care
- No human safety data whatsoever
- As an IGF-family growth signal, it carries the theoretical cancer concern
- Prohibited in sport by WADA
This list is not exhaustive. Report anything unexpected to the clinician who prescribed it. If you have severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek care the same day. See also our guide to peptide side effects by class.
A worked example
A 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 2.5 mg/mL. A 200 mcg dose is then 0.08 mL — about 8 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe, giving roughly 25 doses per vial before accounting for residual volume left in the vial and syringe.
Prefer paper? Download the printable MGF dosing chart (PDF) — every vial size and water volume in syringe units, with the same review byline as this page. All charts →
Commonly cited dose range
Figures circulating for MGF run from 100 mcg to 400 mcg. No established dosing exists — MGF has been studied in animals and cells, not humans. Figures shown are community reference points in micrograms.
Read this as reference information, not instruction. These numbers describe what is commonly discussed, not what is right for any individual. Dose, frequency, and whether to use MGF at all are decisions for a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Common questions
Has MGF been tested in humans?
No. MGF has been studied in animals and cell culture, where it appeared to activate muscle repair. No human trials have been published.
How does MGF relate to IGF-1?
MGF is a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene (IGF-1Ec) produced locally by muscle in response to mechanical stretch and damage. It is thought to activate muscle satellite cells, the first step in repair, before systemic IGF-1 takes over.