CJC-1295: research protocol, dosing & reconstitution
Also known as: CJC-1295 no-DAC, Mod GRF 1-29 (no-DAC variant)
Quick answer
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a modified version of the hormone that tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH). Researchers study it for amplifying the body's natural GH pulses, most often blended with Ipamorelin. The no-DAC version acts briefly; the DAC version lasts days.
What CJC-1295 is
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) — the signal the hypothalamus sends to the pituitary to release GHGH (growth hormone)A hormone produced by the pituitary gland involved in growth, metabolism, and tissue repair. Several research peptides are studied for their ability to stimulate GH release.See glossary →. The common research form, CJC-1295 no-DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29), mimics a natural GH pulse; the DAC version adds a chemical anchor that extends its action to several days.
Research vialsVialThe small sealed glass container peptides are supplied in, topped with a rubber septum that a syringe needle can pass through.See glossary → are typically 2 mg or 5 mg lyophilizedLyophilizedFreeze-dried. Peptides are shipped as a lyophilized powder ('puck') because the dry form is far more stable than a solution. It must be reconstituted before use in research.See glossary → powder.
Mechanism of action
CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptorReceptorA protein on or inside a cell that binds specific signaling molecules and triggers a response. Most peptides work by binding particular receptors.See glossary → on pituitary cells, stimulating synthesis and pulsatile release of growth hormone, which in turn raises IGF-1IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)A hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone. IGF-1 levels are a common downstream marker in GH-axis research.See glossary → (insulin-like growth factor 1). A 2006 clinical study reported that CJC-1295 with DAC produced sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy adults [1].
Because it works upstream through the body's own pituitary signaling — rather than supplying external GH — researchers study it as a way to amplify natural GH pulses while preserving feedback loops.
What researchers study CJC-1295 for
- GH-axis stimulation and IGF-1 response
- Body-composition research (lean mass, fat metabolism)
- Recovery and sleep-architecture contexts
- Synergy with ghrelin-receptor agonists (Ipamorelin)
What dose of CJC-1295 do researchers use?
Research literature commonly references doses of ~250 mcg, AM and/or PM on empty stomach. This is not a recommendation — the table below summarizes protocols as they appear in published literature and trial designs.
| Context | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo (no-DAC, literature reference) | ~250 mcg | AM and/or PM, empty stomach | 8–12 week cycles referenced |
| Blend with Ipamorelin | 250 mcg / 250 mcg | Nightly, 5 days on / 2 off | 8–12 week cycles referenced |
← Swipe to see the full table
Half-life and dosing timing
Half-life: no-DAC: ~30 min; DAC version: several days. Route referenced in research: Subcutaneous (research). The no-DAC form has a half-lifeHalf-lifeHow long it takes for half of a compound to be eliminated from the body. Half-life determines how often researchers dose a compound in protocols.See glossary → around 30 minutes — enough to trigger a GH pulse, which is the point. Protocols reference dosing on an empty stomach (carbohydrates and fats blunt GH release), most often before bed to coincide with the natural nocturnal GH pulse.
Titration: start low, go slow
Literature-referenced protocols start at a single ~100–250 mcgMicrogram (mcg / µg)One millionth of a gram, or one thousandth of a milligram. Most peptide research doses are measured in micrograms.See glossary → evening dose and assess for flushing or head-rush before adding a morning dose.
Skip the CJC-1295 math
Enter vial size, water volume, and target dose — the free calculator returns concentration, injection volume, and exact U-100 syringe units.
How is CJC-1295 reconstituted?
| Vial size | BAC water | Concentration | Worked example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg | 1 mL | 2,000 mcg/mL | 250 mcg = 0.125 mL = 12.5 units on a U-100 syringe |
| 5 mg | 2.5 mL | 2,000 mcg/mL | 250 mcg = 0.125 mL = 12.5 units on a U-100 syringe |
Add 1 mL of bacteriostatic waterBAC water (bacteriostatic water)Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which suppresses bacterial growth. It is the standard diluent used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides for multi-dose research vials.See glossary → to a 2 mg vial: 2 mg ÷ 1 mL = 2,000 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose is 250 ÷ 2,000 = 0.125 mL — 12.5 units on a U-100 syringeU-100 syringeAn insulin syringe calibrated so that 100 units equal 1 mL. The standard syringe referenced in peptide research; each unit equals 0.01 mL.See glossary →.
New to the process? Read the full step-by-step reconstitution guide.
How long does reconstituted CJC-1295 last?
Lyophilized: refrigerated, stable roughly 18–24 months. ReconstitutedReconstitutionThe process of mixing a freeze-dried (lyophilized) peptide powder with bacteriostatic water to create a solution of known concentration.See glossary →: refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within about 28–30 days — shorter than BPC-157 or TB-500.
What is CJC-1295 stacked with in research?
The classic pairing is CJC-1295 no-DAC with Ipamorelin (commonly 250/250 mcg): CJC-1295 amplifies the GHRH signal while Ipamorelin triggers release through the separate ghrelin receptor — two pathways, one pulse.
Side effects observed in research
Commonly reported: facial flushing, injection-site reaction, temporary water retention, and a brief head-rush after administration. GH-axis compounds can affect blood glucose regulation with prolonged use.
- Facial flushing
- Injection-site reaction
- Water retention
- Head-rush
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?
No-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) has a ~30-minute half-life and creates a brief natural-style GH pulse. The DAC version binds to blood proteins and elevates GH for several days. Most literature-referenced blend protocols use no-DAC.
Why is CJC-1295 combined with Ipamorelin?
They stimulate GH release through two different receptors (GHRH receptor and ghrelin receptor), and research references the combination as producing a stronger synergistic pulse than either alone.
Why do protocols say to dose on an empty stomach?
Elevated blood sugar and fatty acids blunt growth hormone release, so protocols in the literature reference dosing at least 2 hours after food.
How long does reconstituted CJC-1295 last?
About 28–30 days refrigerated — noticeably shorter than recovery peptides like BPC-157.
Related research peptides
Ipamorelin
A selective ghrelin-receptor agonist / GH secretagogue studied for stimulating GH with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin.
Growth Hormone SecretagogueTesamorelin
A GHRH analog studied and approved for reduction of visceral adipose tissue; researched for body composition.
Healing & RecoveryBPC-157
A synthetic peptide fragment studied for tissue repair, tendon/ligament and gut healing in animal research.
Browse all Growth Hormone Secretagogue peptides or start with the beginner’s guide to research peptides.
References
- 1.Teichman SL, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295 in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006. PubMed ↗