About CJC-1295
CJC-1295 (without DAC) is a synthetic GHRH analog often paired with ipamorelin for additive growth hormone release. Research interest centers on lean mass, recovery, and IGF-1 modulation. Frequently studied in combination protocols.
Growth Hormone
CJC-1295
Modified GRF 1-29
A synthetic GHRH analog studied for sustained growth hormone elevation.
PreclinicalResearch use only
Where to buy
Vendor offerings
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Best $/mg
Solution PeptidesTestedCJC-1295 (without DAC) – 5mg (cjc NO DAC)
EVERYDAY15$33.00
$6.60/mg · 5mg
Solution PeptidesTestedCJC-1295 WITH DAC – 5mg
EVERYDAY15$45.00
$9.00/mg · 5mg
Evidence level
Preclinical only
A synthetic GHRH analog (Modified GRF 1-29) used to stimulate pulsatile growth hormone release. Most commonly studied paired with a GHRP like ipamorelin. Primarily preclinical / open-label human data.
Mechanism
Stimulates pituitary GH release via the GHRH receptor.
Researched benefits
Sustained GH pulses
Acts on the pituitary GHRH receptor to amplify endogenous GH pulses without overriding negative feedback. Preserves the physiologic GH rhythm better than direct GH administration.
IGF-1 elevation
Chronic dosing modestly raises IGF-1 in healthy adult studies of the DAC-conjugated variant. Magnitude of elevation depends on dose, sleep, and co-administration with a secretagogue.
Recovery and lean mass support
Rationale rests on the broader GH/IGF-1 literature for soft-tissue healing and nitrogen balance. Direct trials of CJC-1295 itself for recovery endpoints are sparse.
Synergy with ipamorelin
GHRH + GHRP co-administration produces a larger GH spike than either alone — a well-replicated finding in pharmacology studies of GH secretagogue pairs.
Risks & cautions
- moderate
Water retention and edema
GH-mediated sodium and water retention is dose-dependent and most pronounced in the first weeks of use. Can present as facial puffiness, ring tightness, or transient weight gain.
- moderate
Insulin resistance
Elevated GH/IGF-1 antagonizes insulin action. Fasting glucose and HbA1c can drift upward, especially in users with metabolic syndrome or family history of type 2 diabetes.
- low
Carpal tunnel / paresthesias
Classic GH-excess side effect from fluid shifts around the median nerve. Resolves on dose reduction.
- moderate
Theoretical malignancy risk
IGF-1 is mitogenic. Long-term safety in people with prior malignancy is unknown. Most research protocols exclude active or recent cancer.
- high
Severe hypersensitivity (DAC variant historical case)
The original ConjuChem CJC-1295 with DAC had at least one reported serious adverse event in trials decades ago. The no-DAC modified GRF 1-29 in current research use has a less concerning profile but is not formally cleared.
Dosing
100–300 mcg subcutaneously, once to three times daily, typically with ipamorelin and away from meals.
- Conservative
- 100 mcg × 1/day before bed
- Standard
- 200 mcg × 2/day (morning and pre-sleep)
- Aggressive
- 300 mcg × 3/day
Vial sizes
2mg / 5mg
Half-life
~30 minutes (no DAC) | 6-8 days (with DAC)
Route
subcutaneous
No-DAC CJC-1295 has a ~30-minute plasma half-life; pulsatile dosing matches the physiologic GH rhythm. The DAC-conjugated form has a 6–8 day half-life and produces a flatter, non-pulsatile elevation that some researchers consider less physiologic. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water and refrigerate.
Contraindications
- Active or recent malignancy
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
- Severe sleep apnea (GH worsens upper-airway tissue)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Concurrent high-dose corticosteroids (blunts GH effect)
In depth
Background
CJC-1295 began as a ConjuChem program to develop a long-acting GHRH analog. The molecule is based on the first 29 amino acids of native GHRH (GRF 1-29) with four amino acid substitutions that resist DPP-IV degradation. The "with DAC" variant adds a drug affinity complex (a maleimidopropionic acid linker) that covalently binds to circulating albumin, extending half-life from minutes to days. The "no-DAC" or "Modified GRF 1-29" form is the same peptide minus the DAC linker — short-acting, pulsatile.
The DAC variant was investigated through phase II for adult GH deficiency before development paused. The no-DAC form is the version most commonly sold to the research market today.
Mechanism in depth
CJC-1295 binds the pituitary GHRH receptor (a class B GPCR) on somatotrophs and stimulates GH release through Gαs-coupled adenylate cyclase and cAMP. Because it works through the endogenous receptor, the body's somatostatin tone still gates GH output — which is why pulsatility is preserved with the short-acting form.
Pairing with a GHRP/ghrelin mimetic (ipamorelin, GHRP-2, hexarelin) hits a different receptor (GHS-R1a) and synergizes through:
- Direct somatotroph stimulation via two complementary pathways
- Suppression of somatostatin tone
- Amplification of pulse amplitude beyond what either agent achieves alone
Human evidence
Several small phase I/II trials of CJC-1295-with-DAC in healthy adults demonstrated:
- Dose-dependent elevation of mean GH and IGF-1 for 7+ days after a single injection
- Preserved pulsatility on continuous low-dose infusion (Ionescu/Frohman 2006)
- Tolerable short-term safety profile in healthy volunteers
There are no large or long-duration efficacy trials in humans for the no-DAC form. Most user-reported endpoints (body composition, sleep quality, recovery) come from open-label use rather than controlled studies.
Preclinical evidence
GHRH analog literature is decades deep. CJC-1295-specific animal work is limited; the broader GHRH-analog corpus shows the expected GH/IGF-1 effects on lean mass, wound healing, and metabolic parameters. The novelty of CJC-1295 is pharmacokinetic (albumin tethering) rather than pharmacodynamic.
Stack synergy
- Ipamorelin — the canonical pairing. Selective GHS-R agonist with minimal cortisol or prolactin release. Common protocol: CJC-1295 (no-DAC) 100–200 mcg + ipamorelin 200–300 mcg, 1–3× daily.
- Tesamorelin — a different GHRH analog. Stacking is redundant and not recommended.
- Sermorelin — also redundant; both target GHRH receptor.
- MK-677 — oral ghrelin mimetic. Some users substitute MK-677 for the GHRP component but the kinetics differ substantially (MK-677 is continuous, GHRP is pulsatile).
Open questions
- How does chronic no-DAC dosing compare to native GHRH pulsatility in long-term safety?
- Is the DAC variant's flat GH elevation clinically problematic vs. simply less physiologic?
- What is the long-term cancer risk of sustained mild IGF-1 elevation in otherwise healthy adults?
- Does cycling actually preserve receptor sensitivity, or is the GHRH receptor not subject to meaningful tachyphylaxis at these doses?
References
- 1.Teichman S.L. et al. — Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GHRH, in healthy adults (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006)
- 2.Ionescu M., Frohman L.A. — Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006)
- 3.Sigalos J.T., Pastuszak A.W. — The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues (Sex Med Rev, 2018)