Disclosed are peptide and peptidomimetic compounds generally according to formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as GHRP analogs: R.sup.1-A.sup.2-A.sup.3-A.sup.4-A.sup.5-R.sup.2 (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A.sup.1 is Aib, Apc or Inp; A.sup.2 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A.sup.3 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A.sup.4 is 2Fua, Om, 2Pal, 3Pal, 4Pal, Pff, Phe, Pim, Taz, 2Thi, 3Thi, Thr(Bzl); A.sup.5 is Apc, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or deleted; R.sup.1 is hydrogen, (C1-6)alkyl, (C5-14)aryl, (C1-6)alkyl(C5-14)aryl, (C3-8)cycloakyl, or (C2-10)acyl; and R.sup.2 is OH or NH.sub.2; and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof.