New — Free Peptide Starter Guide (2026): 13 chapters, 34 cited studies

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CJC-1295

Also known as: CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 No DAC, Modified GRF 1-29, Mod GRF 1-29, CJC 1295

CJC-1295 is a synthetic GHRH analog that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone. The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version has a markedly extended half-life. The No DAC version (Modified GRF 1-29) preserves natural pulsatile GH release and is preferred in most protocols.

Half-Life

~30 minutes (No DAC) / 6–8 days (with DAC)

Route

SubQ

Category

Growth Hormone Peptides

Studies

26 references

Key Benefits

  • Sustained increase in growth hormone levels
  • Enhanced muscle growth and strength
  • Improved fat metabolism and body composition
  • Better recovery and tissue repair
  • Increased bone density
  • Enhanced immune function
  • Improved skin quality and collagen production
  • Synergistic GH release when combined with GHRPs like Ipamorelin

Mechanism of Action

CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary gland, stimulating growth hormone secretion. The DAC version uses a drug affinity complex to bind to albumin in the bloodstream, extending half-life from ~30 minutes to 6–8 days. CJC-1295 No DAC preserves the natural pulsatile rhythm of GH release — important for maintaining insulin sensitivity and downstream benefits. Increased GH leads to elevated IGF-1 production by the liver.

Dosing Protocols

CJC-1295 No DAC (Preferred)

Dose
100 mcg
Frequency
Once daily, before bed
Timing
Fasted — at least 2 hours after last meal and before eating
Cycle
8–16 weeks, then 4 weeks off

Preserves natural pulsatile GH release. Often combined with Ipamorelin for synergistic effect. Take together in same injection window.

CJC-1295 with DAC

Dose
1–2 mg
Frequency
Once per week
Timing
Any time; consistent weekly timing preferred
Cycle
12–16 weeks, then 4 weeks off

Extended half-life provides continuous GH elevation. Less physiological than No DAC version. Some prefer this for convenience.

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Side Effects

  • Water retention / puffiness
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome (with prolonged use)
  • Injection site irritation
  • Hunger increase (minor)
  • Fatigue during initial weeks

Contraindications

Active cancer or history of cancer. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Uncontrolled diabetes or insulin resistance.

Storage

Lyophilized powder: store at −20°C. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C, use within 30 days.

  1. 1.
    Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

    Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified

  2. 2.
    Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians

    Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, Lin EH, Liu JN, Rick Hatch GF et al. · The American journal of sports medicine · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified

  3. 3.
  4. 4.
    Chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of peptidic analytes (2-10 kDa) in doping control urine samples

    Thomas A, Walpurgis K, Thevis M · Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS · 2024PubMed Verified

  5. 5.
    Cationic exchange SPE combined with triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS/MS for detection of GHRHs in urine samples

    Cristea CD, Radu M, Toboc A, Stan C, David V · Analytical biochemistry · 2023PubMed Verified

  6. 6.
    Probing for peptidic drugs (2-10 kDa) in doping control blood samples

    Thomas A, Thilmany S, Hofmann A, Thevis M · Analytical science advances · 2022PubMed Verified

  7. 7.
    An antibody-free, ultrafiltration-based assay for the detection of growth hormone-releasing hormones in urine at low pg/mL concentrations using nanoLC-HRMS/MS

    Coppieters G, Deventer K, Polet M, Van Eenoo P, Judák P · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis · 2022PubMed Verified

  8. 8.
  9. 9.
    Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs

    Memdouh S, Gavrilović I, Ng K, Cowan D, Abbate V · Drug testing and analysis · 2021PubMed Verified

  10. 10.
  11. 11.
    A method for confirming CJC-1295 abuse in equine plasma samples by LC-MS/MS

    Timms M, Ganio K, Steel R · Drug testing and analysis · 2019PubMed Verified

  12. 12.
    An immuno polymerase chain reaction screen for the detection of CJC-1295 and other growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogs in equine plasma

    Timms M, Ganio K, Forbes G, Bailey S, Steel R · Drug testing and analysis · 2019PubMed Verified

  13. 13.
    The study of doping market: How to produce intelligence from Internet forums

    Pineau T, Schopfer A, Grossrieder L, Broséus J, Esseiva P, Rossy Q · Forensic science international · 2016PubMed Verified

  14. 14.
    Qualitative identification of growth hormone-releasing hormones in human plasma by means of immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS

    Knoop A, Thomas A, Fichant E, Delahaut P, Schänzer W, Thevis M · Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry · 2016PubMed Verified

  15. 15.
    Netnography of Female Use of the Synthetic Growth Hormone CJC-1295: Pulses and Potions

    Van Hout MC, Hearne E · Substance use & misuse · 2016ReviewPubMed Verified

  16. 16.
    Expanded test method for peptides >2 kDa employing immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS

    Thomas A, Walpurgis K, Tretzel L, Brinkkötter P, Fichant E, Delahaut P et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2015PubMed Verified

  17. 17.
    Detecting peptidic drugs, drug candidates and analogs in sports doping: current status and future directions

    Thevis M, Thomas A, Schänzer W · Expert review of proteomics · 2014PubMed Verified

  18. 18.
    Doping control analysis of seven bioactive peptides in horse plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

    Kwok WH, Ho EN, Lau MY, Leung GN, Wong AS, Wan TS · Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry · 2013PubMed Verified

  19. 19.
    Immunoaffinity purification of peptide hormones prior to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in doping controls

    Thomas A, Schänzer W, Delahaut P, Thevis M · Methods (San Diego, Calif.) · 2012ReviewPubMed Verified

  20. 20.
    Identification of CJC-1295, a growth-hormone-releasing peptide, in an unknown pharmaceutical preparation

    Henninge J, Pepaj M, Hullstein I, Hemmersbach P · Drug testing and analysis · 2010PubMed Verified

  21. 21.
    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

    Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA, Kopchick JJ · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2009PubMed Verified

  22. 22.
    Neuronal M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are essential for somatotroph proliferation and normal somatic growth

    Gautam D, Jeon J, Starost MF, Han SJ, Hamdan FF, Cui Y et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2009PubMed Verified

  23. 23.
    Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog

    Ionescu M, Frohman LA · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006Clinical TrialPubMed Verified

  24. 24.
    Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse

    Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, Lawrence B, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2006PubMed Verified

  25. 25.
    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 SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006RCTPubMed Verified

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Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Many compounds listed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any protocol.

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