ARA 290 vs HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Updated July 27, 2026 · Reviewed by the PeptidesDB Editorial team
A data-driven comparison of ARA 290 and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) (also searched as HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) vs ARA 290) — effect profiles, evidence, side effects, and which suits weight loss, muscle, or healing goals.
Verdict
ARA 290 centers on healing, while HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) leans toward healing. On indexed research, HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is ahead (ARA 290: 13 studies, Human evidence; HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): 16, Human evidence). Choose by goal — and read the primary studies. This is research information, not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- •ARA 290 is strongest for healing; HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for healing.
- •Evidence: ARA 290 Human evidence (13 studies) vs HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) Human evidence (16).
- •Check the FDA-approval status chips above before assuming a legal use pathway.
Effect profiles, overlaid
At a glance
Tissue-Protective Peptide | Innate Repair Receptor Agonist
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin | LH Receptor Agonist
ARA 290 vs HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): side-by-side
| Metric | ARA 290 | HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Healing | Sexual Health |
| Regulatory status | Research use only | FDA-approved |
| Evidence grade | Human evidence | Human evidence |
| Studies indexed | 13 | 16 |
| Research level | Extensively Studied | FDA Approved |
| Strongest effect | Healing & recovery | Healing & recovery |
| Healing & recovery | 4.0▲ | 3.0 |
| Muscle & body comp | 0.0 | 2.0▲ |
| Metabolic & appetite | 0.0 | 3.0▲ |
| Neuro & mood | 4.0▲ | 1.0 |
| Sleep & circadian | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Inflammation & immune | 3.0▲ | 1.0 |
| Skin & aesthetics | 0.0 | 2.0▲ |
▲ marks the higher AI-assigned effect score (0–5, describing where the literature concentrates — not clinical efficacy).
Mechanism & pharmacokinetics
| Property | ARA 290 | HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | β-common receptor interaction | LH/CG receptor agonist |
| Route | — | Subcutaneous injection |
| Half-life | — | ~24 hours |
| Time to peak | — | 6–24 hours |
| Duration of action | — | Varies |
Established pharmacology — curated for well-characterized compounds and AI-summarized otherwise. A blank (—) means no reliable single value is published (half-life figures for some peptides genuinely disagree across sources). Verify against primary sources such as FDA labels and ClinicalTrials.gov.
What is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is an FDA-approved glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone, used to stimulate endogenous testosterone production and support fertility in men and women.
Full HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) profile, mechanism & studies →Which is better for your goal?
| Goal | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Healing | ARA 290 | 4.0/5 effect signal |
| Muscle | HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) | 2.0/5 effect signal |
| Metabolic | HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) | 3.0/5 effect signal |
| Neuro | ARA 290 | 4.0/5 effect signal |
| Inflammation | ARA 290 | 3.0/5 effect signal |
| Skin | HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) | 2.0/5 effect signal |
Fit reflects community-perceived effect profiles — not head-to-head trials. Read each peptide's studies before deciding.
Can you stack ARA 290 and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?
People sometimes combine peptides that target different pathways, but there is little controlled research on this specific pairing and the interactions aren't well characterized. Because at least one is a research-use compound, we don't publish stacking or dosing protocols here. Any combination should be discussed with a qualified clinician.
ARA 290 vs HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): side effects
No community-reported effects logged yet.
No community-reported effects logged yet.
Anonymous community reports (count = number of reports), not clinical incidence rates.
What the research says
ARA 290 has 13 approved studies indexed (Human evidence), and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) has 16 (Human evidence). The Librarian re-checks PubMed, Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials daily, so these counts move. Open each profile to read the summaries and sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is ARA 290 or HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) better?
It depends on your goal. ARA 290 is strongest for healing; HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for healing. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) has more indexed studies (16). See the goal-by-goal breakdown above.
Is ARA 290 or HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) better for weight loss?
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) shows the stronger metabolic & appetite profile (3.0/5) in the AI-assigned effect profile — though weight-loss outcomes depend on the individual and the evidence base.
Is ARA 290 or HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) better for muscle?
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) leads on the muscle & body-composition axis (2.0/5).
Which has more research, ARA 290 or HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?
ARA 290 has 13 approved studies indexed (Human evidence); HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) has 16 (Human evidence). Higher counts mean more to read, not proven superiority.
Can you stack ARA 290 and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?
Some users combine peptides, but there's little controlled data on this specific pairing, and interactions aren't well characterized. We don't publish stacking protocols for compounds that aren't FDA-approved. Discuss any combination with a qualified clinician.
What are the side effects of ARA 290 vs HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?
ARA 290: no community-reported effects logged yet. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): none logged yet. These are anonymous reports, not incidence rates — see each profile.
Is ARA 290 or HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) FDA-approved?
ARA 290 is a research-use compound and is not FDA-approved. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is FDA-approved. Research-use status is not a legal clearance to compound or use in humans.
Is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) better than ARA 290?
For healing, HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) has the edge; for healing, ARA 290 does. Neither is universally "better" — it's goal-dependent, and both should be weighed against their evidence base above.
Comparing related peptides
Regulatory & legal status
Approval status varies (see the chips at the top). FDA approval and compounding rules for peptides change frequently, and research-use status is not a legal clearance for human use. The FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Verify current status with primary sources before acting. Last reviewed July 27, 2026.