CJC-1295

CJC-1295 is a synthetic 30-amino acid analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), derived from the biologically active GHRH(1-29) fragment. The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) formulation incorporates a maleimidopropionic acid moiety that covalently binds to cysteine-34 on circulating serum albumin, shielding the peptide from enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). This albumin binding extends the plasma half-life from approximately 7 minutes for native GHRH to 5.8-8.1 days in humans, as established in pharmacokinetic studies.

At the receptor level, CJC-1295 acts as an agonist at the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary. Receptor activation stimulates adenylyl cyclase via Gs proteins, raising intracellular cyclic AMP and activating protein kinase A, which in turn drives both synthesis and pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH).

Secreted GH binds hepatic GH receptors, triggering insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) synthesis. IGF-1 is considered the principal downstream mediator of anabolic and lipolytic effects on peripheral tissues. Human studies confirmed that pulsatile GH secretion is preserved during CJC-1295 administration — a characteristic that distinguishes it mechanistically from exogenous recombinant GH, which suppresses endogenous pulsatility.

CJC-1295 without DAC (also termed Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF) lacks the albumin-binding moiety and has a half-life of approximately 30 minutes, requiring more frequent dosing to maintain GH stimulation.

Two peer-reviewed randomized human studies constitute the primary evidence base for CJC-1295.

Teichman et al. (2006, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 91:799-805; PMID 16352683) conducted two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind ascending-dose trials in healthy subjects aged 21-61 years, with durations of 28 and 49 days. Single subcutaneous doses of 30-60 µg/kg produced dose-dependent increases in mean plasma GH of 2- to 10-fold sustained for 6 or more days, and increases in mean plasma IGF-1 of 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days. With repeated weekly or biweekly administration, mean IGF-1 remained elevated for up to 28 days. The estimated half-life was 5.8-8.1 days. No serious adverse reactions were reported; the compound was deemed safe and well tolerated at 30-60 µg/kg.

Ionescu and Frohman (2006, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 91:4792; PMID 17018654) examined 24-hour GH secretory profiles in healthy men aged 20-40 years one week after a single 60 or 90 µg/kg injection. Trough GH concentrations rose approximately 7.5-fold (P less than 0.0001), mean GH increased approximately 46% (P less than 0.01), and IGF-1 rose approximately 45% (P less than 0.001). GH pulse frequency and amplitude were statistically unchanged, demonstrating preservation of pulsatility during continuous GHRH receptor stimulation.

A Phase II trial sponsored by ConjuChem Biotechnologies enrolled 192 HIV-positive participants with visceral adiposity across North and South American sites. The trial was halted in July 2006 after one patient death at an Argentine site. The attending physician attributed the fatality to pre-existing coronary artery disease rather than the study drug, but the trial was discontinued as a precaution and no body composition or efficacy results were published. A competing GHRH analog (TH-9507 by Theratechnologies) continued without reported safety halts.

Neither published human study evaluated body composition, fat loss, or muscle mass as primary endpoints. Claims that CJC-1295 directly improves these outcomes are extrapolated from GH and IGF-1 pharmacodynamic data, not from trials with those endpoints.

Typical dosage: 1-2 mg (weekly).

The only formally studied human dosing regimen is from Teichman et al. (2006): subcutaneous injections of 30-60 µg/kg body weight, administered weekly or biweekly. The 30 and 60 µg/kg doses showed the best tolerability profile; the study did not test fixed absolute doses.

In the performance and anti-aging community, two distinct protocols are described based on formulation, though neither has been validated in controlled outcome trials:

• CJC-1295 with DAC: typically 1-2 mg (1,000-2,000 µg) administered subcutaneously once or twice per week, exploiting the 6-8 day half-life to maintain elevated GH and IGF-1 between injections.

• CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29): typically 100 µg administered subcutaneously 1-3 times daily, often in the fasted state or before sleep to align with endogenous GH pulse windows. This formulation is most commonly co-administered with a growth hormone-releasing peptide such as ipamorelin at an equivalent 100 µg per injection.

Community sources describe cycle durations of 3-6 months followed by an equivalent rest period. No controlled trials have assessed efficacy or safety of these extended protocols, and long-term outcome data do not exist.

This information is provided for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. CJC-1295 is not approved by the FDA for any indication. Anyone considering peptide therapy should consult a qualified licensed healthcare provider before use.

Lyophilized (before reconstitution)

Multiple vendor sources cite 24–36 months at −20°C for CJC-1295 (no DAC) lyophilized powder, with refrigerated (2–8°C) storage acceptable for shorter active-use windows. Growth-hormone secretagogues are treated as one of the more forgiving classes at this tier because the class generally lacks highly oxidation-prone residues. Keep dry, sealed, and away from light.

Reconstituted

Commonly cited at ~28 days refrigerated (2–8°C) in bacteriostatic water, with some vendor sources allowing 30–45 days. Never freeze a reconstituted vial. This is a vendor-derived convention rather than a peptide-specific stability study — the window traces to the 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative's antimicrobial validation, not to a CJC-1295-specific assay. See the Storage & handling primer for context.

For general storage chemistry (bacteriostatic vs sterile water, freeze-thaw, BUD framework), see Storage & handling.

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

The most widely described combination pairs CJC-1295 with a growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP), most commonly ipamorelin. CJC-1295 acts at the GHRH receptor, while ipamorelin acts at the distinct GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor), providing complementary stimulation of pituitary somatotrophs through independent signaling pathways with potentially additive effects on GH pulse amplitude. The pharmacological rationale is sound based on receptor pharmacology, but no published clinical trial has evaluated this combination; all reported performance and body composition outcomes from the stack are anecdotal.

Sermorelin, a shorter-acting GHRH(1-29) analog, is occasionally co-prescribed alongside CJC-1295 in clinical anti-aging settings, though combining two GHRH-class agonists at the same receptor offers no established mechanistic advantage and is considered redundant by most researchers.

Combinations with BPC-157, described in performance communities for tissue repair and recovery, have no published clinical study support for the combination and should be considered entirely anecdotal.

CJC-1295 is not currently FDA-approved for any indication. It is generally classified as a research compound. Regulatory status varies by country.

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Reported side effects: Water retention, joint pain, potential insulin resistance with prolonged use

In the controlled trials by Teichman et al. (2006), no serious adverse reactions were reported in healthy adults at doses of 30-60 µg/kg over periods of 28-49 days. The study also noted no significant changes in prolactin, cortisol, or ACTH, suggesting selectivity for the GH axis at these doses.

The most frequently described adverse effects across clinical and community sources include:

• Injection site reactions: localized erythema and mild swelling • Transient flushing: facial vasodilation within 30-90 minutes of injection, resolving spontaneously • Headache and mild dizziness • Water retention and peripheral joint stiffness, which is more pronounced and prolonged with the DAC formulation due to its extended half-life

Because GH antagonizes insulin signaling at the receptor level, chronic or supraphysiological GH elevation raises theoretical concern for insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. This effect has not been formally quantified in CJC-1295-specific trials.

Elevated IGF-1 is a consistent pharmacodynamic outcome of CJC-1295 use. Epidemiological research has associated chronically elevated endogenous IGF-1 with modestly increased cancer risk; whether the magnitude or duration of IGF-1 elevation produced by CJC-1295 carries equivalent risk is unknown, as no long-term safety studies have been conducted.

The Phase II ConjuChem trial was halted in July 2006 after one patient death; causal attribution to CJC-1295 was disputed by the attending physician and was never formally resolved, as the trial was not resumed.

CJC-1295 is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is classified as an abandoned investigational drug. It is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency under category S2.2 (growth hormone-releasing factors and analogs). Individuals with a history of malignancy, acromegaly, uncontrolled diabetes, or active cardiovascular disease should avoid use.