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CJC-1295

CJC-1295 is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) designed to stimulate the production of growth hormone (GH). It acts as a long-acting analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), often used to improve body composition, boost recovery, and enhance, anti-aging efforts.

Key Benefits of CJC-1295

  • May help support natural growth hormone release and IGF-1 production
  • Commonly researched for improving recovery, lean muscle support, and exercise performance
  • May promote better sleep quality and overnight tissue repair
  • Research suggests potential benefits for healthy aging, fat metabolism, and energy support
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FDA-Approved Uses

CJC-1295 has no FDA-approved use. It is an investigational/research compound.

Important: TWO distinct versions exist with different regulatory statuses:

1. CJC-1295 WITHOUT DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29 / Mod GRF 1-29)

  • Short-acting (half-life ~30 min); more physiological pulsatile GH release
  • Removed from FDA Category 2 (April 22, 2026 HHS directive)
  • PCAC review ongoing; expected to receive Category 1 status
  • This is the preferred clinical version in most compounding practice

2. CJC-1295 WITH DAC (Drug Affinity Complex)

  • Long-acting (half-life ~7–8 days); non-pulsatile ‘GH bleed’
  • Remains on restricted list per multiple 2026 sources due to additional safety concerns around prolonged GH elevation
  • Verify current FDA status before use

Conditions studied in research / off-label use

  1. Adult growth hormone deficiency (off-label)
  2. Anti-aging / body composition (increased lean mass, reduced fat)
  3. Recovery and muscle repair
  4. Sleep quality improvement (GH released predominantly during deep sleep)
  5. Metabolic enhancement

WADA status: Prohibited under S2; Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics

Trade Names in USA and Manufacturers

No FDA-approved brand or manufacturer in the USA.

CJC-1295 is available as:

  • Compounded formulation from licensed 503A pharmacies (where legally available; verify current FDA status)
  • Research peptide from grey-market vendors (‘research use only’)

Typical formulation:
Lyophilized powder (2 mg or 5 mg/vial); reconstituted with Bacteriostatic Water

Most commonly used in combination stacks with Ipamorelin:
CJC-1295 (without DAC) 100–200 mcg + Ipamorelin 200–300 mcg per injection
(This is the most widely prescribed peptide combination in US anti-aging clinics)

Molecular identity:
CJC-1295: Synthetic GHRH analogue; 30-amino acid peptide; MW ~3,367 Daltons (without DAC)
Modified GRF 1-29 = the first 29 amino acids of GHRH with 4 amino acid substitutions for stability

Dosage

No FDA-approved dosing. Reflects established clinical compounding practice.

CJC-1295 WITHOUT DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) — Subcutaneous injection:
Dose: 100–300 mcg per injection
Frequency: 1–3 times daily
Timing: Bedtime injection preferred (aligns with nocturnal GH pulse)
Can also use: upon waking and/or post-exercise
Typical mono: 100 mcg SC at bedtime

Combination with Ipamorelin (most common clinical protocol):
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100–200 mcg
Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg
Combined in single injection, SC, at bedtime
Cycle: 8–12 weeks on; 4–8 week break

CJC-1295 WITH DAC — Subcutaneous injection:
Dose: 1–2 mg per injection
Frequency: Once or twice per week (long half-life enables less frequent dosing)
[Note: With DAC version remains in a more restricted regulatory status — verify before use]

Storage: Lyophilized at -18°C or below; reconstituted solution stable 14–21 days at 4°C

Pricing

No FDA-approved commercial pricing.

CJC-1295 (without DAC) from licensed compounding pharmacy:
~$80–$200/month as standalone
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination stack: ~$150–$350/month
(via telemedicine clinic + compounding pharmacy)

Research peptide vendors (unregulated):
CJC-1295 without DAC: ~$30–$60 per vial (2 mg)
CJC-1295 with DAC: ~$40–$80 per vial

Note: Telemedicine clinic memberships for peptide therapy typically add $50–$150/month for physician consultation and monitoring on top of peptide costs.

Tips

– Always clarify which version you’re getting: CJC-1295 WITHOUT DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is preferred in most clinical protocols for physiological pulsatile GH release. CJC-1295 WITH DAC produces a continuous ‘GH bleed’ over 7–8 days — considered less physiological and more likely to desensitize GH receptors.
– Verify current FDA compounding status for your specific version before prescribing or dispensing — regulatory status has changed multiple times since 2023.
– Monitor IGF-1 levels every 3 months during use. The goal is to restore IGF-1 to the upper third of the age-appropriate normal range — not to exceed normal reference range.
– CJC-1295 acts via the GHRH receptor; Ipamorelin acts via the ghrelin receptor. Combining them stimulates two different GH-release pathways simultaneously, producing 5–10x baseline GH vs. 2–3x with either alone. This synergy is why the combination is the most popular anti-aging peptide stack.

Side Effects

From Phase 1–2 clinical trials and clinical compounding practice:

Mild and commonly reported:
– Injection site reactions: Redness, swelling, bruising, mild pain
– Transient facial flushing / warmth immediately post-injection
– Mild water retention / peripheral edema (especially in first weeks; usually self-resolving)
– Headache (mild; transient)

Less common:
– Elevated blood glucose / insulin resistance: GH elevation decreases insulin sensitivity; clinically meaningful in patients with pre-diabetes or diabetes risk factors
– Elevated IGF-1: Sustained elevation may carry theoretical cancer risk (same concern as all GH secretagogues); requires periodic monitoring
– Numbness/tingling (paresthesia): Carpal tunnel-like symptoms from fluid retention
– Fatigue or lethargy (especially in first 1–2 weeks as GH/IGF-1 adjust)
– Vivid dreams (GH released during deep sleep; increased REM-associated dreaming)

Rare:
– Pituitary desensitization with DAC version (with prolonged continuous GH stimulation)
– Hypothyroidism worsening (GH elevation can unmask subclinical thyroid dysfunction)

⚠️ Cancer risk: Elevated IGF-1 is epidemiologically associated with certain cancers. No confirmed increased cancer incidence in short-term clinical trials, but long-term data is limited.

Contraindications

No formal contraindications (no approved label).

Based on pharmacology and clinical exclusion criteria:
– Active malignancy: GH/IGF-1 elevation may promote tumor growth — contraindicated
– Diabetes mellitus or significant insulin resistance: GH worsens glucose metabolism; close monitoring required; may be relatively contraindicated
– Athletes subject to WADA/USADA anti-doping: Prohibited under S2 — contraindicated
– Pregnancy and breastfeeding: No safety data; not recommended
– Children with open epiphyses: Not recommended (GH excess may cause abnormal linear growth)
– Active intracranial lesion or pituitary tumor: Contraindicated
– Severe renal or hepatic impairment: Not characterized
– Hypothyroidism (untreated): May reduce GH response; correct first
– Hypersensitivity to CJC-1295 or excipients

Pharmacology

CJC-1295 is a synthetic 30-amino acid peptide analogue of human GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) with four amino acid substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 (Ala→D-Ala; Gln→Glu/other; Ala→other; Leu→other) that resist enzymatic cleavage — particularly by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), which rapidly inactivates native GHRH. These substitutions extend the half-life from ~7 minutes (native GHRH) to ~30 minutes (CJC-1295 without DAC). The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version adds a lysine-linked maleimidoproprionic acid-albumin binding moiety, which binds reversibly to albumin and extends half-life to ~7–8 days by preventing renal clearance. MW: ~3,367 Daltons (without DAC); ~4,100 Daltons (with DAC approximate). Lyophilized powder; reconstituted with Bacteriostatic Water; stored at -18°C or below lyophilized.

Mechanism of action

CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors (GHRHR) on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland:

Binding → activates adenylyl cyclase → increases intracellular cAMP → stimulates pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH) from anterior pituitary.

Key distinctions from Sermorelin (another GHRH analogue):
– CJC-1295 has superior enzymatic stability (4 substitutions vs. sermorelin’s natural sequence)
– Without DAC: Half-life ~30 min; produces a single physiological GH pulse per injection
– With DAC: Half-life ~7–8 days; produces sustained GH elevation (‘GH bleed’) — less physiological

Synergy with Ipamorelin:
– CJC-1295 acts via GHRH receptors (increases GH pulse AMPLITUDE)
– Ipamorelin acts via ghrelin receptors / GHSR-1a (increases GH pulse AMPLITUDE and FREQUENCY)
– Dual pathway stimulation: 5–10x baseline GH response vs. 2–3x with either alone

Natural feedback preservation:
– Somatostatin (hypothalamic) can still suppress GH release even with CJC-1295 present
– This feedback limits GH excess risk compared to exogenous rhGH injections

Result Claims By Different Companies

No major pharmaceutical company commercialization. Academic and clinical practice data:

Phase 1/2 clinical trial (Ionescu & Frohman, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006):

CJC-1295 2 mg SC single dose in healthy adults

  • Mean GH levels increased 2–10x above baseline
  • IGF-1 levels increased 1.5–3x and remained elevated for up to 2 weeks (DAC version)
  • Generally well-tolerated; injection site reactions and transient flushing most common

Clinical compounding practice reports (observational, not RCTs):

  • Reported improvements in body composition: increased lean mass, decreased visceral fat
  • Improved recovery time after exercise
  • Improved sleep quality (more restorative sleep, vivid dreams)
  • Skin quality improvements (increased collagen, improved elasticity) reported by some patients
  • Energy and well-being improvements

⚠️ No Phase 3 randomized controlled trials exist for any indication. All efficacy data beyond Phase 1/2 comes from clinical practice observation, not controlled trials. No FDA drug label claims can be made.

Disclaimer

This content about “CJC-1295” is for informational and educational purposes only, is not medical advice, does not replace consultation with a licensed healthcare professional, and affiliate links may result in compensation at no additional cost to you.