CJC-1295 (no DAC)

A stabilised version of the brain’s "release GH now" signal. It produces one natural-shaped pulse, then clears.

Evidence: DCommunity use what's this?
Grade D for this peptide. The mechanism is proven, but the human trials studied the DAC version.
Also known as: Mod GRF 1-29 · Modified GRF (1-29) · CJC-1295 without DAC
Class: Short-acting synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)

The 30-second version

WhatThe active first 29 amino acids of GHRH with four stabilising swaps. Half-life about 30 minutes.

Why people use itRecovery, body composition and deeper sleep, through the body’s own GH pulses.

The honest catchThe well-known CJC-1295 trial numbers come from the long-acting DAC version, not this one.

What it is

Your pituitary releases growth hormone in pulses, triggered by GHRH from the brain. Natural GHRH has 44 amino acids, but the first 29 carry all the activity. CJC-1295 is that 1–29 fragment with four amino-acid changes that resist breakdown and tighten binding.

There are two versions, and they aren’t interchangeable. Without DAC (this chapter) lasts about 30 minutes and produces a pulse. With DAC binds albumin and lasts 6–8 days, giving a sustained rise. Almost all the published human data belong to the DAC version. Neither is approved.

How it works

Injected under the skin and carried to the pituitary.

Binds GHRH-R on somatotroph cells, which switches on cAMP and PKA inside the cell.

GH pulse released within about 15–30 minutes.

IGF-1 produced by the liver in response, carrying many of GH’s effects.

Self-limited. Somatostatin, the body’s GH brake, still caps the output.

GH is meant to arrive in pulses. Keeping that rhythm is thought to avoid the receptor fatigue and constantly raised IGF-1 that come with sustained stimulation. It’s usually paired with a ghrelin mimetic such as Ipamorelin: the two push GH release through different receptors, so together they produce a bigger pulse than either alone.

What the research shows

The DAC version in healthy adults: single injections raised GH 2–10-fold for six days or more and IGF-1 1.5–3-fold for 9–11 days, with no serious adverse reactions¹. Even under that continuous stimulation, GH release stayed pulsatile².

The no-DAC version: the mechanism is well understood and it reliably produces a short GH pulse, but no dedicated human outcome trial has measured body composition, recovery or long-term effects. The class itself is proven: sermorelin (plain GRF 1–29) had FDA approval for GH-deficient children, and tesamorelin is approved today.

Think of it as a more stable sermorelin. The mechanism is proven. The outcomes for this specific peptide are inferred.

Evidence at a glance

Use	Grade	Best evidence	Main gap	Read
Raises GH and IGF-1	BHuman trials	GH 2–10×, IGF-1 1.5–3× (DAC version)¹	Data are the DAC variant	Class effect real
Keeps GH pulsatile	BHuman trials	Pulsatility preserved²	DAC variant	Supports rationale
GHRH as a target	AApproved	Sermorelin and tesamorelin approved	Not this peptide	Mechanism proven
Recovery, body composition	DCommunity use	Community reports	No outcome trial	Plausible

Dosing: what has been reported

Not a recommendation. These figures describe what was studied or what circulates in practice, kept separate so you can see how solid each one is. Speak with a qualified clinician before acting on any of it.

Setting	Figure	Route	Grade
Published (DAC only)	30–60 mcg/kg, weekly-scale dosing¹	Subcutaneous	B
Clinic off-label	Low hundreds of mcg per injection, often with a ghrelin mimetic	Subcutaneous	C
Community	About 100 mcg per injection, 1–3 times daily, on an empty stomach, often at bedtime	Subcutaneous	D
Community stack	100 mcg + 100 mcg Ipamorelin in one syringe	Subcutaneous	D

DAC doses don’t carry over to the short-acting version. Around 100 mcg is treated as roughly saturating, so going higher mostly adds side effects. Avoid food, especially carbohydrates and fat, for about 30 minutes either side of the injection, because eating blunts the pulse.

Preparing & storing

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate and don’t shake it. With daily use, a mixed vial is used up within its refrigerated window. Rotate injection sites.

Reported side effects

Flushing or a head rush right after injection
Tingling or numbness in the hands (a known GHRH-class effect)
Injection-site reactions; drowsiness, often welcome at bedtime
Water retention, joint aches and blood-sugar drift with heavy or prolonged use

Worth tracking: IGF-1, fasting glucose and insulin at baseline and after 6–12 weeks.

Who should avoid it

Active or past cancer: IGF-1 is a growth signal
Diabetes or insulin resistance, unless monitored
Pregnancy and breastfeeding; pituitary disorders
Tested athletes: WADA prohibited, both forms

Regulatory status checked Oct 2026

Body	Status	Detail
FDA (US)	Not approved	Flagged in compounding review; related sermorelin and tesamorelin approved.
EMA (EU)	Not approved	No marketing authorisation.
CDSCO (India)	Not approved	No approval identified.
WADA	Prohibited	GHRH and analogues are banned at all times.

The NexGen read

A gentle nudge to the body’s own GH

CJC-1295 without DAC doesn’t add growth hormone. It asks your pituitary for a natural pulse, and the body’s own brake still applies. The mechanism is proven, but the outcome claims for this exact peptide are inferred, not measured.

References

Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295 in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799–805. PMID 16352683 (DAC variant)
Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of GH persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(12):4792–4797. PMID 17018654 (DAC variant)
Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA, Kopchick JJ. Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295 and serum protein profile changes. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2009;19(6):471–477.