CJC-1295: GHRH Analog Benefits, Dosage, and Stacking Guide
Medically reviewed by Medical Advisory Board Last reviewed 2026-05-13
How CJC-1295 stimulates growth hormone and why it's best combined with ipamorelin
CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analog that dramatically extends the half-life of growth hormone-releasing hormone from minutes to days. It's the most common GHRH peptide in clinical use — almost always stacked with ipamorelin for synergistic GH release.
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that has been modified to dramatically extend its half-life. Natural GHRH has a half-life of fewer than 10 minutes due to rapid enzymatic degradation. CJC-1295 (also known as modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF 1-29 without DAC) achieves a half-life of 30 minutes to several hours through amino acid substitutions that protect key cleavage sites.
A variant called CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) adds a lysine-maleimide-PEG chain that allows the peptide to bind albumin in the bloodstream, extending the half-life to 7–10 days. While this allows once-weekly dosing, most practitioners prefer the DAC-free version (Mod GRF 1-29) for more physiologic pulsatile release patterns.
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- Growth hormone amplification: CJC-1295 increases the amplitude of GH pulses from the pituitary. When stacked with ipamorelin (which increases frequency), the combination produces substantially higher GH output than either alone.
- Extended activity window: The modified half-life means a single injection produces GH stimulation for hours vs. minutes with natural GHRH, making it practical for clinical use.
- IGF-1 elevation: Clinical studies show significant IGF-1 increases with CJC-1295 use, correlating with body composition improvements.
- No cortisol spike: Unlike GHRPs (particularly GHRP-2 and hexarelin), CJC-1295 doesn't meaningfully raise cortisol or prolactin.
CJC-1295 Dosage and Timing
The DAC vs. no-DAC distinction matters significantly for dosing:
CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) — most common protocol:
- 100–200 mcg per injection, 1–3x daily
- Always combined with ipamorelin (200–300 mcg) in the same injection
- Inject subcutaneously, ideally away from food (fasting state for 30–60 min before/after)
- Timing: bedtime is most common; some protocols add a morning or pre-workout dose
CJC-1295 with DAC — less common:
- 2 mg once weekly or every 2 weeks (subcutaneous)
- Produces a sustained GH elevation rather than pulsatile pulses
- Some practitioners prefer no-DAC for more physiologic release
CJC-1295 vs Sermorelin
| Factor | CJC-1295 (no DAC) | Sermorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | 30 min – 2 hours | ~12 minutes |
| Mechanism | GHRH analog (modified) | GHRH analog (natural sequence) |
| FDA status | Not approved | Approved (off-patent) |
| GH pulse type | Pulsatile (with ipamorelin) | Pulsatile |
| Typical use | Always stacked with GHRP | Standalone or stacked |
| Cost | $100–250/month | $150–400/month |
Many practitioners prefer CJC-1295 (no DAC) + ipamorelin over sermorelin alone because the dual-pathway approach produces stronger GH stimulation. Sermorelin has the advantage of FDA history and compounding pharmacy availability in states with stricter regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a modified synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with an extended half-life. It stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone. It comes in two forms: CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29, half-life ~30 min–2 hours) and CJC-1295 with DAC (half-life ~7–10 days, allowing once-weekly dosing).
What is CJC-1295 ipamorelin?
CJC-1295 ipamorelin is a combined protocol (or pre-mixed blend) of two complementary peptides. CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) increases the amplitude of GH pulses; ipamorelin (a GHRP) increases the frequency and selectivity. Together they produce a synergistic GH release that's substantially greater than either compound alone, with minimal cortisol or prolactin impact.
How much CJC-1295 ipamorelin should I take?
A typical clinical protocol uses CJC-1295 (no DAC) 100–200 mcg + ipamorelin 200–300 mcg per injection, once daily at bedtime (or 2–3x daily for more aggressive protocols). These are research reference ranges — actual dosing should be determined with a physician who can monitor IGF-1 response.
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