CJC-1295

What it is

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of natural GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone), the signal your body uses to tell the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH). Several amino acid swaps make it more stable than natural GHRH, which breaks down within minutes.

The big point of confusion is DAC. 'DAC' stands for Drug Affinity Complex, a chemical group that lets the peptide latch onto albumin (a blood protein) after injection. CJC-1295 WITH DAC uses this to stay active for days. CJC-1295 WITHOUT DAC has no such group and clears in under an hour — this version is more accurately called Modified GRF 1-29 (Mod GRF 1-29).

So 'CJC-1295' can mean two quite different molecules. With DAC is long-acting; without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is short-acting. They share the same core sequence but behave very differently in the body, which is why the labeling matters.

How it works

As a GHRH analog, CJC-1295 binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary and tells it to release a pulse of the body's own growth hormone, which in turn raises IGF-1 (a downstream growth factor). It doesn't add GH directly the way synthetic HGH does — it nudges the gland to produce more of its own.

The DAC version binds albumin so it lingers for days, producing a sustained 'GH bleed' rather than a natural spike. The no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) clears fast, giving a short pulse that more closely mimics natural rhythm. In research and community use it is often paired with ipamorelin, a ghrelin-receptor agonist (GHRP): CJC-1295 initiates the GH pulse while ipamorelin amplifies it, and the two act on different receptors so their effects can add up.

What people research it for

What the research actually shows

The core human evidence is a single 2006 study by Teichman and colleagues in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. In healthy adults, subcutaneous CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent, sustained rises in GH and IGF-1, with an estimated half-life of 5.8-8.1 days, and was described as safe and relatively well tolerated at the doses tested.

That study measured hormone levels and short-term safety — not real-world outcomes. There are no long-term human trials showing CJC-1295 improves fat loss, muscle, strength, injury healing, sleep or longevity. Claims about those benefits are extrapolated from what GH and IGF-1 do generally, not demonstrated for this peptide.

Most other data is preclinical or comes from the pharmaceutical development history; broad efficacy and long-term safety in humans remain unestablished.

Research handling & storage

CJC-1295 is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) white powder in a sealed vial. In research settings it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic or sterile water, swirled gently rather than shaken, and kept refrigerated once mixed. Sealed powder is generally stored frozen or refrigerated and kept out of light and heat.

The DAC-versus-no-DAC difference drives the practical handling logic: with DAC, the days-long half-life means it stays active far longer between handlings, while Mod GRF 1-29 (no DAC) clears in roughly 30 minutes and degrades faster once in solution. Product labeling should always specify which variant a vial contains.

Safety & cautions

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Teichman SL et al. 2006, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 91(3):799-805 (PubMed)
• Teichman et al. 2006 — full record, J Clin Endocrinol Metab (Oxford Academic)
• WADA Prohibited List (S2: peptide hormones, GH-releasing factors)
• FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee briefing document (compounded peptides incl. CJC-1295)

Last reviewed 2026-07-07. This guide is educational and research-focused — not medical advice. CJC-1295 products referenced on PeptidePub are sold by third parties as materials for laboratory research use only, not for human or animal consumption.

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