CJC-1295 (without DAC)
Also known as: Modified GRF 1-29, Mod GRF 1-29
Short-Acting Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog
Overview
Synthetic growth hormone releasing hormone analog with short half-life enabling pulsatile GH secretion patterns resembling natural physiology. Unlike CJC-1295 with DAC, this version preserves natural GH pulsatility without continuous elevation.
Key benefits
- Preserves natural GH pulsatility
- Minimal side effects
- No receptor desensitization
- Precise GH release control
- 4x greater receptor affinity than native GHRH
Mechanism of action
Binds GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells in the pituitary gland, stimulating cAMP production and physiological GH pulses. The brief 30-minute half-life allows pulsatile release versus prolonged elevation.
Molecular data
- Type
- GHRH analog
- Half-life
- 30 minutes - 2 hours
Sequence
Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg-Lys
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Growth Hormone
Natural GH Pulse Restoration
Most effectiveRestores natural GH pulsatility patterns in aging individuals.
IGF-1 Enhancement
EffectiveElevates IGF-1 through enhanced GH secretion.
Pituitary Support
EffectiveSupports pituitary axis without suppression of natural function.
Anti-Aging
Muscle Mass Preservation
EffectiveSupports maintenance of lean muscle mass through GH elevation.
Bone Density Maintenance
EffectiveSupports bone health through GH-mediated pathways.
Skin Elasticity
ModerateImprovements in skin quality through collagen synthesis.
Recovery
Exercise Recovery
ModerateEnhanced recovery from training through GH elevation.
Sleep Quality
ModerateImproved sleep architecture with bedtime dosing.
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Injectable
Subcutaneous injection is the only effective route. Best administered on empty stomach, 30+ minutes away from food.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Aging/Wellness | 100mcg | 2x daily (morning and bedtime) | SubQ |
| Body Composition | 100-150mcg | 3x daily (morning, post-workout, bedtime) | SubQ |
| Maximum GH Release | 200mcg | 2-3x daily with GHRP | SubQ |
| Sleep Enhancement | 100-200mcg | Once at bedtime | SubQ |
Preparation
You will need
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes (29-31 gauge)
- Alcohol swabs
- Sterile work surface
Steps
- Clean vial tops with alcohol pad and allow to dry
- Draw bacteriostatic water slowly
- Inject water along vial side
- Gently roll to mix—avoid vigorous shaking
- Verify solution clarity; cloudiness indicates degradation
- Label with date and concentration
- Refrigerate immediately, use within 30 days
Work out the water volume and syringe units in the reconstitution calculator →
Interactions
Pairwise interactions with other compounds you might be cycling — the same data behind the cycle builder's safety check.
CJC-1295 with DAC
AvoidChoose one variant based on desired release kinetics.
Hexarelin
MonitorCan combine but watch for excessive GH elevation.
Tesamorelin
MonitorBoth are GHRH analogs; combining offers no additional benefit.
Ipamorelin
SynergisticComplementary GH release via different receptor pathways. Popular combination.
GHRP-6
SynergisticAmplifies GH pulse when combined.
GHRP-2
SynergisticPotent combination maximizing GH through dual pathways.
MK-677
CompatibleDifferent mechanisms; continuous ghrelin versus pulsatile GHRH.
Timeline
Typical week-by-week effects reported in clinical and observational data.
- Day 1-7
Improved sleep quality; vivid dreams from enhanced REM
- Week 2-4
Enhanced workout recovery, reduced muscle soreness, better pumps
- Week 4-8
Noticeable skin improvements, minor body composition shifts
- Week 8-12
Significant lean gains, fat loss, improved joint comfort
- Week 12+
Continued gradual improvements in composition and well-being
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Generally well-tolerated at recommended doses
- Temporary facial flushing/warmth (5-10 minutes post-injection)
Stop signs — stop and seek advice
- Persistent joint pain or carpal tunnel symptoms
- Significant water retention or edema
- Unexplained headaches or vision changes
- Extreme fatigue or lethargy
- Allergic reaction signs at injection sites
Contraindications
- Active cancer (due to growth-promoting effects)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Severe kidney disease
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Monitoring
- Blood glucose if diabetic—GH affects insulin sensitivity
- Joint pain or carpal tunnel (excess GH indicator)
- Water retention lasting >2 weeks
Quality checks
What a legitimate product looks like, what should give pause, and what should make you stop.
Good signs
- Vendor provides certificates of analysis (>98% purity)
- Proper cold-chain shipping with ice packs/refrigeration
- Vacuum-sealed vials showing pressure seal integrity
- White/off-white lyophilized powder
Warning signs
- Verify expiration dates; lyophilized peptides stable ~2 years if stored properly
Stop signs — don't use
- Pre-reconstituted solutions—peptide degrades rapidly
- Discolored powder (yellow/brown indicates degradation)
- Cloudy solution after reconstitution
Recent research
Newer papers and trial readouts on file for this compound, with source and date.
November 2024 · Nature Reviews Endocrinology
Growth hormone-releasing hormone and its analogues in health and disease
Comprehensive review of GHRH and analogs spanning oncology, regenerative medicine, and metabolic disorders. Highlights therapeutic potential of GHRH agonists and antagonists across multiple disease states.
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.
Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog
Jette, L., et al. · Endocrinology · 2005
Identified CJC-1295 as a tetrasubstituted hGRF(1-29) analog that covalently binds albumin. Showed 4-fold increase in GH area under the curve compared to native hGRF(1-29) in rat pituitary cells.
Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults
Teichman, S.L., et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
Single injection of CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent 2- to 10-fold increases in GH for 6+ days and 1.5- to 3-fold increases in IGF-I for 9-11 days in healthy adults. Estimated half-life of 5.8-8.1 days.
Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog
Ionescu, M., et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
GH secretion was increased after CJC-1295 with preserved pulsatility. Basal (trough) GH levels were markedly increased (7.5-fold), demonstrating that CJC-1295 maintains natural GH pulse patterns.
Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse
Alba, M., et al. · American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism · 2006
Once-daily CJC-1295 maintained normal body composition and growth in GHRH knockout mice, demonstrating efficacy in restoring GH axis function in GH-deficient animal models.
Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects
Ionescu, M., et al. · Growth Hormone & IGF Research · 2009
CJC-1295 administration in normal adults activated the GH/IGF-1 axis and produced measurable serum protein profile changes, providing biomarker evidence for sustained GHRH analog activity.
Last updated . How this page was sourced is described in the methodology.
Featured in these stacks
- Full GH-Axis StackA comprehensive growth-hormone-axis stack: CJC-1295 + ipamorelin pulse pairing with oral MK-677 for round-the-clock support.3 compounds
- GH-Fragment RecompA lipolysis-focused recomposition stack pairing the GH fragment AOD-9604 with the GHRH analogue CJC-1295.2 compounds
- Recomp GH SecretagogueA growth-hormone-axis stack for body recomposition — pulse-mimicking secretagogues rather than exogenous HGH.2 compounds