Research peptides are not approved for human use in most countries including India. This page is for educational purposes only. Consult a physician before use.
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analogue based on the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29), the same active region as sermorelin. However, CJC-1295 incorporates four amino acid substitutions (Ala2 → Aib, Gln8 → Ala, Ala15 → Ala, Leu27 → Lys(Maleimidoproprionic acid)) that significantly increase its stability and — in the DAC version — enable albumin binding for extended action.
The name "CJC" comes from ConjuChem Biotechnologies, the Canadian company that developed it. The compound entered human research in the mid-2000s and produced published human trial data that distinguishes it from most peptides in this category.
Understanding CJC-1295 requires understanding the critical distinction between the two available forms — with DAC and without DAC — as they produce fundamentally different physiological effects despite having the same base peptide sequence.
The DAC Distinction: A Critical Difference
DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex — specifically, a maleimidoproprionic acid modification attached to a lysine residue on the peptide. This modification enables the peptide to covalently bind to cysteine-34 on serum albumin after injection, using albumin as a carrier that dramatically extends the peptide's circulation time.
CJC-1295 with DAC:
- Half-life: 6-8 days after single injection
- Effect: Sustained GH elevation over 1-2 weeks per injection
- IGF-1 increase: Prolonged elevation lasting the duration of albumin binding
- GH pattern: Sustained, non-pulsatile — more like having chronically elevated GHRH
- Dosing frequency: 1-2 injections per week
CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF):
- Half-life: ~30 minutes
- Effect: Single pulsatile GH release following injection, similar to sermorelin
- GH pattern: Pulsatile — physiological
- Dosing frequency: Daily injection (typically pre-sleep)
Most longevity medicine practitioners prefer no-DAC because pulsatile GH release is physiologically normal, preserves receptor sensitivity, and maintains the body's somatostatin feedback mechanisms. Sustained GH elevation from DAC blunts these regulatory systems and more closely resembles the physiology of continuous exogenous HGH — which is what peptide protocols are designed to avoid.
The Human RCT: Teichman et al. 2006
CJC-1295 (with DAC) was studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The study enrolled healthy adults (ages 21-61) and demonstrated:
- Dose-dependent increases in mean GH concentration (3-10 fold increase after single injection)
- Sustained IGF-1 elevations of 30-40% above baseline for up to 28 days after single injection
- Generally well-tolerated with mild, transient side effects
- No serious adverse events in the study population
This is unusually robust evidence for a research peptide — a published human RCT in a peer-reviewed endocrinology journal. However, the study was with the DAC formulation and was not a therapeutic efficacy trial for any specific condition.
CJC-1295 No-DAC + Ipamorelin: The Standard Protocol
The most widely used GH optimization protocol in longevity medicine combines CJC-1295 no-DAC with ipamorelin. The rationale:
- Dual pathway synergy: CJC-1295 no-DAC activates the GHRH receptor; ipamorelin activates the ghrelin/GHS-R1a receptor. Both are expressed on the same pituitary somatotrophs, and simultaneous activation of both intracellular cascades (cAMP for GHRH, IP3/DAG for GHS-R) produces a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone.
- Selectivity preservation: Ipamorelin adds GH release without the cortisol/prolactin bleed of older GHRPs
- Pulsatile physiology: Both agents produce pulse-like GH release when timed appropriately, preserving feedback regulation
DAC vs No-DAC Comparison Table
| Property | CJC-1295 with DAC | CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | 6-8 days | ~30 minutes |
| GH release pattern | Sustained elevation for 1-2 weeks | Single pulsatile release per injection |
| Dosing frequency | 1-2× per week | Daily (typically before sleep) |
| Physiological? | No — sustained non-pulsatile | Yes — mimics natural GHRH pulsatility |
| Receptor desensitization risk | Higher — continuous receptor activation | Lower — pulsatile allows recovery |
| Ipamorelin combination | Not typically used together (DAC's sustained effect makes timing irrelevant) | Standard combination — inject together before sleep |
| Human data | Published RCT (Teichman 2006) | Extrapolated from DAC data and sermorelin studies |
| Practitioner preference | Less preferred for longevity | Preferred for longevity protocols |
CJC-1295 without DAC is often sold as "Modified GRF 1-29" or "Mod GRF." Vendors sometimes label standard CJC-1295 (no-DAC) as simply "CJC-1295," which causes confusion. Always verify from the product specification whether DAC is present. The key identifier: if the half-life is described as days, it contains DAC. If minutes, it does not.
Dosing Protocol
CJC-1295 no-DAC + ipamorelin (standard longevity protocol):
- CJC-1295 no-DAC: 100-200mcg per injection
- Ipamorelin: 100-300mcg per injection
- Combined in single syringe, subcutaneous injection
- Timing: 30-60 minutes before sleep, empty stomach (2+ hour fast from food)
- Cycle: 8-12 weeks on, 4-8 weeks off
CJC-1295 with DAC (if used):
- 2mg injection, 1-2× per week
- Timing flexibility — sustained effect makes pre-sleep timing less important
- Not typically combined with daily ipamorelin
Frequently Asked Questions
For longevity and physiological GH optimization, most practitioners prefer no-DAC (Modified GRF). It preserves the pulsatile GH release pattern, maintains somatostatin feedback regulation, and avoids the receptor desensitization risk associated with prolonged continuous GHRH receptor activation. DAC may have research utility for sustained IGF-1 studies but its sustained non-pulsatile effect is less physiologically appropriate for anti-aging protocols.
Use CJC-1295 no-DAC (100-200mcg) + ipamorelin (100-300mcg) combined in one insulin syringe. Inject subcutaneously before sleep on an empty stomach. They are compatible in solution and do not interact. This combination produces significantly larger GH pulses than either alone via dual-pathway receptor activation.
Yes — CJC-1295 with DAC was studied in a published randomized controlled trial (Teichman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006) showing dose-dependent IGF-1 increases in healthy adults. This is more human data than most research peptides have. The no-DAC form lacks its own published RCT but shares the same base peptide with established pharmacology.
Common: Transient warmth or flushing at injection, mild tingling (especially hands/feet with water retention), vivid dreams, and mild fatigue. At excessive doses or prolonged use without monitoring: joint fluid retention, carpal tunnel symptoms, and potential insulin resistance from supraphysiological IGF-1. Regular IGF-1 monitoring keeps levels in the physiological range and prevents these side effects.