The present invention relates to novel growth hormone releasing pseudopeptides capable of stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary and of promoting growth in mammals. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the pseudopeptides growth hormone secretagogues and a method for promoting the release of growth hormone in mammals. If continuously administered, the present pseudopeptides may also inhibit the release of growth hormone by down-regulating the growth response. An exemplary pseudopeptide compound of this invention is Aib-D-Trp-D-Trp[CH₂—NH—O]Gly-NH₂: ##STR1##