Growth hormone(GH) secretagogues are synthetic oligopeptides and their non-peptide mimetics which act on the pituitary and the hypothalamus to stimulate GH release. Because of their small molecular weight, high potency, oral activity and specific action, GH secretagogues can act as new agents in GH treatment. Active compounds with diverse structure, such as peptides, cyclic peptides, peptide alcohols and non-peptide mimetics have been found. Although the exact mode of action of these agents has not been fully established, they may be mimeticking a new endogenous GH-releasing factor in a new pathway for the control of the release of GH.