CJC-1295

What CJC-1295 Does

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) — the signal your hypothalamus sends to the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone. It exists in two forms: with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) and without DAC (commonly called Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF). Understanding the difference is critical to choosing the right protocol.

The mechanisms that matter:

• GHRH receptor activation — binds to GHRH receptors on the anterior pituitary, directly stimulating GH synthesis and secretion
• GH pulse amplification — doesn’t create artificial GH spikes like exogenous HGH. Instead, it amplifies your body’s natural GH pulses, keeping the release pattern physiological (especially the no-DAC version)
• IGF-1 elevation — increased GH stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production, the downstream mediator of most growth hormone benefits (muscle growth, fat loss, recovery, collagen synthesis)
• Synergy with GHRPs — GHRH (CJC-1295) and GHRPs (like Ipamorelin) work on different receptor pathways. Combined, they produce a synergistic GH release 3–5x greater than either alone

CJC-1295 Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)

This is the more commonly used version in the biohacking community. It’s a 29-amino-acid peptide with four amino acid substitutions that protect it from enzymatic degradation, extending the half-life from ~7 minutes (native GHRH) to ~30 minutes.

Key characteristics:

• Half-life: ~30 minutes
• Produces a sharp, pulsatile GH release that mimics natural physiology
• Must be dosed 2–3 times daily
• Preferred by most practitioners for its cleaner, more physiological GH pattern
• Almost always stacked with Ipamorelin

CJC-1295 With DAC

The DAC modification allows CJC-1295 to bind to serum albumin, extending its half-life to 6–8 days. This creates sustained, non-pulsatile GH elevation — convenient (twice-weekly dosing) but less physiological.

Key characteristics:

• Half-life: 6–8 days
• Creates a sustained “plateau” of GH rather than natural pulses
• Only requires twice-weekly injection
• Higher risk of desensitization with prolonged use
• Some practitioners avoid it because blunting pulsatility may reduce efficacy over time

Which version to choose: Most experienced users and practitioners recommend CJC-1295 without DAC paired with Ipamorelin. The pulsatile release pattern preserves the body’s feedback mechanisms and minimizes desensitization. The with-DAC version is an option for those who cannot commit to multiple daily injections, but it’s the less popular choice in the community.

Dosing Protocol

CJC-1295 Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)

Parameter	Detail
Dose	100 mcg per injection
Frequency	2–3 times daily
Best timing	Morning (fasted), post-workout, pre-sleep
Cycle length	8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off
Stack with	Ipamorelin 100 mcg (same syringe, same timing)
Route	Subcutaneous injection

Timing matters for this version. The pre-sleep dose is the highest-priority injection because it amplifies the natural nocturnal GH surge — the largest GH pulse of the day. If you can only inject once daily, do it 30 minutes before bed on an empty stomach.

Fasting requirement: GH release is blunted by elevated blood sugar and insulin. Fast for at least 2 hours before injection. Do not eat for 30–60 minutes after injection. This is why pre-sleep and morning fasted windows are ideal.

Three-dose schedule (optimal):

1. Morning — immediately upon waking, fasted
2. Post-workout — after training (if fasted or at least 2 hours post-meal)
3. Pre-sleep — 30 minutes before bed, at least 2 hours after last meal

Two-dose schedule (practical):

1. Morning — upon waking, fasted
2. Pre-sleep — 30 minutes before bed

CJC-1295 With DAC

Parameter	Detail
Dose	1,000–2,000 mcg (1–2 mg) per injection
Frequency	Twice weekly (e.g., Monday and Thursday)
Cycle length	8–12 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off
Route	Subcutaneous injection

Start at 1,000 mcg and assess for side effects (water retention, tingling, headache) before increasing to 2,000 mcg. Timing is less critical with the DAC version due to the extended half-life.

Reconstitution

For a 2 mg vial of CJC-1295 (no DAC) — add 2 mL bacteriostatic water:

Dose	Volume to Draw
100 mcg	10 units on insulin syringe
200 mcg	20 units on insulin syringe

This gives a concentration of 1,000 mcg/mL. One 2 mg vial provides 20 doses at 100 mcg — roughly 7–10 days depending on your frequency.

For a 5 mg vial of CJC-1295 (with DAC) — add 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water:

Dose	Volume to Draw
1,000 mcg (1 mg)	50 units on insulin syringe
2,000 mcg (2 mg)	100 units on insulin syringe

Storage: Refrigerate reconstituted vials at 2–8°C. Use within 28 days. Unreconstituted powder can be frozen for long-term storage.

Use Cases

Goal	Protocol Notes
Anti-aging / general GH optimization	CJC-1295 (no DAC) 100 mcg + Ipamorelin 100 mcg, 2x daily, 12 weeks
Body recomposition (muscle gain + fat loss)	CJC-1295 (no DAC) 100 mcg + Ipamorelin 100 mcg, 3x daily, 12 weeks
Recovery from training	CJC-1295 (no DAC) 100 mcg + Ipamorelin 100 mcg, pre-sleep only, 8–12 weeks
Improved sleep quality	Pre-sleep dose only (100 mcg CJC + 100 mcg Ipamorelin), 8–12 weeks
Convenience-focused protocol	CJC-1295 (with DAC) 1,000–2,000 mcg, 2x weekly, 8–12 weeks

What the Research Says

CJC-1295 has both preclinical and human clinical data supporting its GH-releasing properties:

Human clinical data:

• A dose-escalation study in healthy adults showed CJC-1295 (with DAC) increased mean GH levels by 2–10 fold and IGF-1 levels by 1.5–3 fold following single subcutaneous injections of 30–60 mcg/kg. Effects persisted for 6–14 days depending on dose. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006)
• Multiple-dose studies confirmed sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation with twice-weekly dosing, with no significant tachyphylaxis (tolerance) over the study period

Mechanism validation:

• GHRH analogs like CJC-1295 stimulate GH release through a distinct pathway from GHRPs (ghrelin mimetics like Ipamorelin). When combined, the two pathways produce synergistic GH release — this is the pharmacological basis for the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin stack

Notable practitioners:

• Derek (More Plates More Doses) extensively covers the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination as the gold standard GH peptide stack for body composition
• Dr. Seeds (International Peptide Society) uses CJC-1295/Ipamorelin in clinical practice for anti-aging and recovery protocols

Safety

Common Side Effects

Most are dose-dependent and transient:

• Water retention — mild bloating, especially in the first 2–3 weeks. A sign the peptide is working. Usually resolves.
• Numbness/tingling in hands — carpal tunnel-like symptoms from elevated GH. Reduce dose if persistent.
• Injection-site reactions — redness, soreness, or itching at the injection site. Rotate sites.
• Headaches — occasional, more common with the DAC version.
• Increased hunger — GH stimulates appetite. Can be managed with meal timing.
• Vivid dreams / deeper sleep — commonly reported, particularly with the pre-sleep dose. Most consider this a benefit.

Critical Warnings

Fasting is non-negotiable for the no-DAC version. Elevated insulin suppresses GH release. Injecting after eating defeats the purpose. Fast 2 hours before and 30–60 minutes after.

Not FDA-approved. CJC-1295 is classified as Category 2 by the FDA, banning it from US compounding pharmacies.

Banned by WADA. Tested athletes cannot use CJC-1295.

Angiogenesis concern. GH promotes tissue growth, which includes potential tumor-supportive effects. Do not use if you have active cancer, recent tumor history, or significant risk factors.

Source quality. Only purchase from vendors providing third-party Certificate of Analysis with HPLC purity testing. The unregulated peptide market has significant contamination risk.

Do Not Use If

• Active cancer or tumor history
• Type 1 diabetes or unstable Type 2 diabetes (GH affects insulin sensitivity)
• Active acromegaly or pituitary disorders
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Under 18
• Subject to WADA/USADA testing

What Comes Next

Once you’ve understood the CJC-1295 protocol, the natural next step is to stack it:

• Add Ipamorelin for the Growth Hormone Stack — the gold standard GH peptide combination
• Compare options in our Growth Hormone Peptides Compared guide
• Consider MK-677 as an oral alternative — see the MK-677 Protocol
• Use the Reconstitution Calculator for exact unit counts