Educational Notice
This article is written for researchers, clinicians, and informed adults seeking to understand the scientific literature on CJC-1295 with DAC. It is not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or an endorsement of any specific use. CJC-1295 with DAC is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is prohibited in competitive sport under WADA regulations. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health or treatment decisions.
CJC-1295 with DAC is one of the most misrepresented compounds in the growth hormone secretagogue space. It is frequently described as a more convenient, longer-acting version of CJC-1295 without DAC. It is not. The Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) modification—a maleimidopropionic acid group that covalently binds the peptide to serum albumin—transforms the compound’s pharmacokinetic profile so completely that it produces a fundamentally different physiological intervention. CJC-1295 without DAC produces discrete GH pulses over a 30-minute window. CJC-1295 with DAC produces sustained, continuous GH elevation for up to 14 days from a single injection. These are not the same thing delivered more conveniently.
Understanding this distinction is the central purpose of this article. The GH axis evolved to operate in pulses—discrete secretory events separated by troughs during which pituitary stores replenish, receptor sensitivity resets, and negative feedback mechanisms regulate. Sustained continuous GH elevation, produced either by GH itself or by long-acting GH secretagogues, represents a departure from this physiological pattern with consequences that are not fully characterized in human populations.
ConjuChem Biotechnologies, the Canadian company that developed CJC-1295 with DAC, conducted clinical trials establishing the compound’s pharmacokinetics and confirming GH and IGF-1 elevation in healthy adults. The Teichman et al. 2006 paper in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism represents the most substantive published human data for this compound—more than exists for ipamorelin or CJC-1295 without DAC in the peer-reviewed record. That paper showed dose-dependent IGF-1 increases, sustained for up to 14 days, with preliminary favorable body composition signals at higher doses. ConjuChem did not advance the program to Phase III. The compound entered the research chemical market.
Critical Naming Confusion
Many research chemical suppliers label CJC-1295 with DAC simply as “CJC-1295″—the same name used for the no-DAC form. Some list them as interchangeable or describe the DAC form as “CJC-1295 (long-acting).” These descriptions obscure a pharmacologically material distinction. Before using any product labeled CJC-1295, verify whether it contains the DAC modification. The product’s documented half-life is the clearest indicator: ~30 minutes = no DAC; ~14 days = with DAC.
Table of Contents
- What Is CJC-1295 with DAC?
- Origins and Development
- The DAC Modification: What It Does and Why It Matters
- Mechanism of Action
- Key Research Areas and Studies
- Common Claims versus Current Evidence
- The Human Studies Landscape
- Safety, Risks, and Limitations
- Legal and Regulatory Status
- Research Protocols and Laboratory Practices
- Dosing in Published Research
- Dosing in Independent Self-Experimentation Communities
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Peptides: How CJC-1295 with DAC Compares
- Summary and Key Takeaways
- Selected References and Key Studies
- Further Reading and References
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Quick Facts
| Type | Synthetic GHRH analog with Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) modification |
| Also known as | CJC-1295 with DAC; DAC:GRF; sometimes confusingly labeled just “CJC-1295” |
| Molecular weight | ~3367 Da (peptide + DAC moiety) |
| Target receptor | GHRHR (growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor) |
| Mechanism | GHRHR agonist → pituitary GH release; DAC binds serum albumin extending half-life to ~14 days |
| Plasma half-life | ~6–8 days (terminal); biologically active GH elevation for up to 14 days |
| GH profile | Sustained continuous elevation — not pulsatile |
| Route of administration | Subcutaneous injection (research use) |
| Developer | ConjuChem Biotechnologies (Canada) |
| FDA status | Category 3—not approved for any indication |
| WADA status | Prohibited—S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, and Related Substances) |
| Evidence tier | Phase I/II (ConjuChem clinical program) |
| Critical distinction | Produces sustained GH elevation—not equivalent to CJC-1295 without DAC, which produces discrete GH pulses |
What Is CJC-1295 with DAC?
CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic 30-amino acid analog of GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) modified with a Drug Affinity Complex at the C-terminus. GHRH itself has a very short half-life in circulation—less than 10 minutes—due to rapid cleavage by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) at position 2. CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) addresses this with D-amino acid substitutions and other modifications that extend the half-life to approximately 30 minutes. The DAC modification goes considerably further by attaching a reactive maleimide group that covalently bonds to Cys34 on serum albumin after injection.
Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, with a half-life of approximately 19 days. By binding to albumin, CJC-1295 with DAC inherits a dramatically extended circulation time. The terminal half-life of the DAC-modified compound is approximately 6–8 days, and the biological effect on GH and IGF-1 extends for up to 14 days from a single injection. This is not a gradual fade from a slow-release depot—it is sustained pharmacological activity resulting from the compound’s continued presence in circulation, continuously stimulating the GHRHR.
Plain English
After injection, the DAC attachment permanently latches onto albumin—the most abundant protein in your blood. Because albumin circulates for weeks, the peptide hitchhikes on it and keeps stimulating GH release for up to 14 days from a single shot.
The compound acts at the same receptor as CJC-1295 without DAC and sermorelin: the GHRHR expressed on pituitary somatotroph cells. Receptor activation drives GH release via cAMP/PKA signaling. What differs is the duration and continuity of that activation. The no-DAC form produces a pulse of receptor stimulation and then is cleared. The DAC form maintains receptor stimulation for two weeks.
Origins and Development
ConjuChem Biotechnologies, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company, developed the DAC technology as a platform for extending peptide half-lives without requiring continuous infusion or frequent injection. The clinical development program for CJC-1295 with DAC (designated DAC:GRF internally) was conducted in the mid-2000s with the goal of developing a once-weekly or less frequent GH secretagogue for GH deficiency or GH-related conditions.
The Teichman et al. 2006 paper in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported results from a Phase I/II trial in 65 healthy adults showing dose-dependent GH and IGF-1 elevation sustained for up to 14 days, with preliminary evidence of favorable body composition changes at doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg. The compound was well-tolerated acutely. ConjuChem did not advance to Phase III development. The company’s development priorities shifted; detailed public disclosures about why the program stopped were not made. CJC-1295 with DAC subsequently appeared in the research chemical market.
The DAC Modification: What It Does and Why It Matters
The Drug Affinity Complex is a maleimidopropionic acid group attached to the C-terminus of the peptide. After subcutaneous injection, the maleimide group reacts with the free thiol group on Cys34 of circulating albumin, forming a stable covalent bond. The resulting peptide-albumin complex has the circulation lifetime of albumin—far longer than any peptide modification could achieve through amino acid substitutions alone.
| Property | CJC-1295 Without DAC | CJC-1295 With DAC |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | Modified GRF 1-29; Mod GRF | DAC:GRF; sometimes just “CJC-1295” |
| Half-life | ~30 minutes | ~6–8 days |
| GH profile | Discrete pulses (physiological) | Continuous sustained elevation (~14 days) |
| Injection frequency | Per injection timing (1–3×/day) | Once weekly or less |
| Axis physiology | Matches natural GH pulsatility | Continuous suppression of natural pulsatility feedback cycles |
| Combination with ipamorelin | Strong pharmacological rationale (matching kinetics) | Weaker rationale (kinetic mismatch) |
| Human evidence | Phase I; limited | Phase I/II (Teichman 2006) |
| Key risk profile consideration | Low theoretical sustained-elevation risk | Prolonged IGF-1 elevation; axis suppression during the 14-day window |
The physiological significance of this distinction cannot be overstated. The GH axis is not designed for continuous stimulation. The normal secretory pattern consists of discrete pulses—typically 6–12 per day in adults, with the largest pulse occurring during slow-wave sleep—separated by troughs during which pituitary GH stores replenish and hypothalamic somatostatin resets negative feedback. This pulsatile architecture matters for downstream biology: hepatic IGF-1 production, bone turnover signaling, and metabolic effects all respond differently to pulsatile versus continuous GH input.
Plain English
Your body releases growth hormone in short bursts with rest periods in between—like breathing. CJC-1295 with DAC replaces that rhythm with a constant two-week signal. That is a fundamentally different physiological event, not just a longer version of the same thing.
Why This Matters for Stacking Logic
The pharmacological rationale for combining ipamorelin with CJC-1295 without DAC is that both compounds produce discrete, matching-duration pulses through complementary receptor pathways. Combining ipamorelin with CJC-1295 with DAC means adding a short pulse on top of a 14-day continuous baseline—a different pharmacological situation. The synergy is partial at best, and the combined continuous stimulation profile raises different physiological questions than the pulsatile combination.
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 with DAC binds and activates the GHRHR on pituitary somatotroph cells. Receptor activation couples to Gs protein, activating adenylyl cyclase and increasing intracellular cAMP. Elevated cAMP activates protein kinase A (PKA), which phosphorylates targets driving GH exocytosis from secretory granules. This is the same intracellular pathway used by endogenous GHRH and by sermorelin and CJC-1295 without DAC.
Plain English
CJC-1295 with DAC flips the same molecular switch on pituitary cells as the no-DAC form. The difference is that it stays bound to albumin in the blood and keeps flipping that switch continuously for up to two weeks instead of 30 minutes.
What distinguishes CJC-1295 with DAC mechanistically is the continuous nature of receptor stimulation. While a short-acting GHRH analog produces a burst of cAMP signaling and then is cleared, the albumin-bound DAC form maintains continuous GHRHR activation for up to 14 days. The downstream consequence is sustained GH secretion and sustained IGF-1 production from the liver. IGF-1, in turn, provides negative feedback to both the pituitary and hypothalamus—suppressing further GH release, but in this case, that feedback operates against a continuous pharmacological override.
The hypothalamus also responds to sustained GHRHR activation by increasing somatostatin tone over time—an axis-regulatory response to what the hypothalamus perceives as excessive GH stimulation. This autoregulatory response limits the magnitude of GH elevation achievable with continuous stimulation and is one reason sustained-release GH secretagogues do not simply produce ever-escalating GH levels.
Plain English
Your brain responds to the nonstop GH signal by cranking up its own brake (somatostatin). This prevents GH from climbing indefinitely—but it also means the system is fighting itself for two weeks straight, unlike the pulse-and-rest pattern of short-acting compounds.
Key Research Areas and Studies
The Teichman et al. 2006 Phase I/II study remains the primary published evidence for CJC-1295 with DAC in humans. The study enrolled 65 healthy adult volunteers in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design—a more rigorous study design than is available for most research peptides. Key findings: sustained IGF-1 elevation for up to 14 days after single injection; dose-dependent response; preliminary lean mass changes at the 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg doses; no serious adverse events; injection site reactions and transient flushing as the most common adverse effects.
This study is notable because it represents actual Phase II human data—a higher evidence standard than is available for ipamorelin or CJC-1295 without DAC. It is also notable for what it does not establish: long-term safety, efficacy for any specific clinical indication, comparison to pulsatile protocols, or outcomes in the populations who actually use the compound in self-experimentation contexts (generally healthy adults without GH deficiency).
Evidence Context
CJC-1295 with DAC has more published human trial data than several other compounds in this cluster. The Teichman 2006 study is a genuine Phase I/II RCT in healthy adults. That is a higher evidence floor than preclinical-only compounds. It is not, however, evidence of clinical efficacy for body composition in non-GH-deficient populations—the study was not powered or designed for that endpoint.
Common Claims versus Current Evidence
| Claim | Evidence | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 with DAC is a convenient, longer-acting version of CJC-1295 (no DAC) | This is the most dangerous mischaracterization of the compound. DAC fundamentally changes the pharmacokinetic profile from pulsatile to sustained. These are different physiological interventions. The no-DAC form produces discrete GH pulses matching the body’s natural pattern; the DAC form produces continuous elevation for up to two weeks. Same receptor, different biology. | Misleading |
| CJC-1295 with DAC stimulates GH release | Confirmed in Phase I and II trials by ConjuChem. Dose-dependent GH and IGF-1 elevation is established. | Supported |
| CJC-1295 with DAC improves body composition | Phase II trial data (Teichman et al. 2006) in healthy adults showed dose-dependent IGF-1 increases and favorable changes in lean/fat mass at higher doses over 14 days. This is the strongest body composition evidence of any compound in this cluster except tesamorelin—but the study was short, small, and industry-sponsored. No Phase III data exists. | Phase II Evidence—Preliminary |
| CJC-1295 with DAC pairs well with ipamorelin for synergistic GH release | The dual-pathway rationale—GHRHR + GHS-R1a—is mechanistically valid. However, the pharmacokinetic mismatch is real: ipamorelin produces a 2-hour pulse; CJC-1295 with DAC produces 14-day continuous elevation. Adding a pulsatile signal on top of a sustained plateau does not cleanly replicate the pulsatile synergy of the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) pairing. The combination is used in the community but its rationale is weaker than often presented. | Mechanistically Partial |
| Once-weekly dosing is more convenient and equally effective | The once-weekly convenience is real—it derives from the 14-day biological action. Whether it is equally effective compared to more frequent pulsatile protocols depends on what outcome is being optimized and has not been studied head-to-head. | Partially Supported |
| CJC-1295 with DAC is safe for long-term use | No long-term human safety data exists. The sustained continuous GH elevation profile raises theoretical concerns about prolonged IGF-1 elevation, axis suppression, and insulin resistance that pulsatile protocols may not raise to the same degree. This is not established risk—it is uncharacterized risk. | Not Established |
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The Human Studies Landscape
CJC-1295 with DAC is unusual in this cluster for having published Phase I/II randomized controlled trial data. The Teichman 2006 study is a real RCT, not just animal data or unpublished Phase I summaries. The GH and IGF-1 elevation data are solid. The preliminary body composition signals are interesting.
What the evidence does not establish is whether continuous, sustained GH elevation—rather than pulsatile stimulation—is the optimal approach for any outcome the community is actually targeting. GH replacement literature in GH-deficient patients generally uses daily or twice-daily subcutaneous injections of GH itself, which produce pulsatile-ish profiles. The long-acting GH secretagogue model is a pharmacologically novel approach whose comparative effectiveness against pulsatile protocols has not been studied.
The community use of CJC-1295 with DAC often occurs alongside ipamorelin or other GHRPs in protocols that assume the combination is pharmacologically equivalent to the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) stack. The pharmacology does not support that assumption. They are not equivalent interventions.
Safety, Risks, and Limitations
Acute Tolerability
The Teichman 2006 study documented injection site reactions and transient flushing as the most common adverse events. No serious adverse events were reported in the short study duration. Community experience broadly supports acute tolerability at doses used. Water retention (GH-class effect) is reported.
Sustained IGF-1 Elevation
The 14-day continuous IGF-1 elevation profile raises theoretical concerns that are distinct from those associated with pulsatile GH secretagogues. Chronically elevated IGF-1 is associated in epidemiological studies with increased cancer risk, particularly for prostate, colorectal, and pre-menopausal breast cancer. The duration and magnitude of IGF-1 elevation from repeated CJC-1295 with DAC dosing in community protocols has not been studied. This is uncharacterized risk, not established harm.
Plain English
Keeping IGF-1 elevated for two straight weeks—repeatedly—has not been safety-tested long term. Epidemiological data links chronically high IGF-1 to increased cancer risk. That is not proof of harm from this compound, but it is a reason to pay attention.
Axis Suppression
Continuous GHRHR stimulation will suppress endogenous GHRH pulsatility and induce compensatory somatostatin upregulation during the active period. The degree to which natural GH axis pulsatility is restored after the compound is cleared—and over what time course—has not been studied in humans.
Insulin Resistance
Sustained GH elevation impairs insulin sensitivity—GH is a counter-regulatory hormone that opposes insulin action at the liver and peripheral tissues. Repeated weekly or bi-weekly dosing of CJC-1295 with DAC creates extended periods of pharmacologically elevated GH that may chronically impair glucose metabolism. This is a class effect of all sustained GH-elevating agents and is not specific to CJC-1295 with DAC, but the duration of the effect per dose is greater here than for short-acting compounds.
The Unknown Risk Profile
No long-term human safety data exists for CJC-1295 with DAC. The acute safety established in one short Phase I/II study does not characterize the risk profile of 8–12 week community protocols involving weekly injections and sustained IGF-1 elevation. This is a meaningful evidence gap that community users should understand explicitly.
Legal and Regulatory Status
FDA Status
CJC-1295 with DAC is FDA Category 3: not approved for any indication, not currently under active clinical investigation. It is classified as a research chemical.
WADA Status
WADA Prohibition
CJC-1295 with DAC is prohibited under WADA S2: Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, and Related Substances—both in-competition and out-of-competition. The GHRH analog class is covered by class prohibition regardless of whether individual compounds are specifically named.
Research Protocols and Laboratory Practices
CJC-1295 with DAC is supplied as lyophilized powder and reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Standard storage: lyophilized powder at 2–8°C (35–46°F), protected from light. Reconstituted solution: refrigerate, use within 28 days, do not freeze. Because the compound has a 14-day biological half-life, dosing errors are more consequential than with short-acting peptides—a dose cannot be rapidly metabolized and cleared. Verify concentration calculations carefully before every injection.
Reconstitution vs. Dosing Syringes
Use one syringe to add bacteriostatic water to the vial. Use a separate fresh syringe for each dose drawn from the reconstituted vial. Standard subcutaneous injection technique applies: rotate sites, appropriate gauge needle (25–31G), 45–90° angle depending on tissue depth.
Dosing in Published Research
| Study / Source | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teichman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006 | Healthy adults (n=65) | 0.03–0.3 mg/kg (multiple doses tested) | SC injection | Single or 3 weekly doses | 14 days observation post-dose | Dose-dependent GH and IGF-1 elevation; sustained IGF-1 increase for up to 14 days at higher doses; favorable lean/fat mass changes at 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg; well-tolerated acutely |
| ConjuChem Phase I (referenced in Teichman 2006) | Healthy adults | Dose escalation | SC | Single dose PK | Short-term | Established half-life ~6–8 days; albumin binding confirmed; basic safety profile |
Note on Clinical vs Community Dose Expression
The Teichman 2006 study dosed by mg/kg body weight. Community protocols typically use fixed mg doses (1–2 mg). At typical adult body weights, 0.03–0.3 mg/kg translates to approximately 2–21 mg—a wide range. Community doses of 1–2 mg are at the lower end of the clinical dose range.
Dosing in Independent Self-Experimentation Communities
| Protocol Parameter | Typical Community Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dose per injection | 1–2 mg | Community doses are based on mg (not mcg/kg as in clinical trials). No established optimal dose. |
| Frequency | Once weekly or once every 14 days | The DAC half-life supports infrequent dosing. Some protocols use every-other-week. |
| Combination partner | Often combined with ipamorelin or GHRP-2 | The pharmacological rationale is weaker than the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) pairing due to kinetic mismatch. See FAQ section. |
| Cycle length | 8–12 weeks on, followed by a break | Same axis-preservation rationale as other GH secretagogues. Optimal duration not established. |
| What to expect timing-wise | GH and IGF-1 elevation begins within hours of injection and persists for up to 14 days | The sustained profile means effects accumulate over the cycle rather than being tied to specific injection timing. Pre-sleep or pre-workout timing logic does not apply as it does with no-DAC compounds. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CJC-1295 with DAC better than CJC-1295 without DAC?
“Better” depends entirely on the goal and the pharmacological rationale. The DAC form is more convenient (weekly vs. multiple daily injections). But convenience is not pharmacological equivalence. The no-DAC form produces pulsatile GH stimulation that more closely mimics natural physiology. The DAC form produces sustained continuous elevation. Whether continuous or pulsatile GH stimulation better serves any specific outcome has not been studied head-to-head. Neither is “better” in the abstract; they are different interventions.
Why does CJC-1295 with DAC sometimes show up labeled just as “CJC-1295”?
Naming conventions in the research chemical market are unregulated. Some suppliers use “CJC-1295” to refer to the DAC form, some to the no-DAC form, and some to both. The distinction matters pharmacologically. Always check: does the product specification describe a half-life in minutes (no DAC) or days (DAC)? That is the most reliable way to confirm which compound you have.
Can I combine CJC-1295 with DAC with ipamorelin?
The combination is used in the community. The pharmacological rationale is weaker than the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) combination because the kinetics don’t match: ipamorelin produces a 2-hour pulse; CJC-1295 with DAC produces 14-day continuous elevation. The dual-pathway synergy logic (matching pulses via complementary receptor pathways) does not apply cleanly. That does not make the combination inactive—both compounds elevate GH—but the pharmacological argument for it is not as clean as the no-DAC combination.
How long until CJC-1295 with DAC clears after stopping?
The terminal half-life is approximately 6–8 days. For most practical purposes, meaningful pharmacological activity persists for 14 days from the last injection. Full clearance to sub-pharmacological levels takes 3–4 half-lives, or approximately 24–32 days. Athletes subject to WADA testing should plan accordingly with substantial buffer time beyond the apparent 14-day window.
Related Peptides: How CJC-1295 with DAC Compares
| Compound | Receptor | Route | GH Profile | Appetite | Half-life | Evidence Tier | FDA Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipamorelin | GHS-R1a | Peptide SC | Moderate pulse | Minimal | ~2 hr | Preclinical / Phase I | Cat. 3 |
| CJC-1295 no DAC | GHRHR | Peptide SC | Moderate pulse | None | ~30 min | Preclinical / Phase I | Cat. 3 |
| CJC-1295 with DAC | GHRHR (albumin-bound) | Peptide SC | Strong, sustained ~14 days | None | ~14 days | Phase I/II | Cat. 3 |
| Sermorelin | GHRHR | Peptide SC | Moderate pulse | None | ~10–20 min | Clinical / Prior FDA approval | Cat. 3 |
| MK-677 | GHS-R1a | Non-peptide oral | Strong, sustained ~24 hr | Moderate | ~24 hr | Phase II/III | Cat. 3 |
| Tesamorelin | GHRHR | Peptide SC | Moderate pulse | None | ~26–38 min | Approved Drug (HIV lipodystrophy) | FDA approved — Egrifta |
| Compound | Type | Receptor | GH Potency | Cortisol / ACTH | Appetite Effect | Half-Life | Route | FDA Status | WADA Status | Evidence Tier | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipamorelin | Synthetic pentapeptide GHS | GHS-R1a | Moderate | Minimal at research doses | Minimal | ~2 hr (subcutaneous) | Subcutaneous injection | Category 3 — not available via US compounding | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 2 — Clinical Trials (Phase I) | Most selective GHRP: GH release without cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin elevation at research doses |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | Synthetic GHRH analog (modified GRF 1-29) | GHRH-R | Moderate (amplifies when paired with GHS-R1a agonist) | None | None | ~30 min | Subcutaneous injection | Category 3 — not available via US compounding | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 3 — Preclinical / Mechanistic | Short-acting GHRH analog; preserves pulsatile GH physiology. Pharmacologically paired with ipamorelin via complementary receptor pathway |
| CJC-1295 (with DAC) | Synthetic GHRH analog with Drug Affinity Complex | GHRH-R | Strong (sustained) | None | None | ~6–8 days | Subcutaneous injection | Category 3 — not available via US compounding | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 2 — Clinical Trials (Phase I/II) | DAC extends half-life to ~1 week; produces sustained (non-pulsatile) GH elevation. NOT interchangeable with no-DAC version |
| Sermorelin | Synthetic GHRH analog (GRF 1-29) | GHRH-R | Moderate | None | None | ~10–20 min | Subcutaneous injection | Previously FDA-approved (Geref); discontinued commercially | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 1 — Approved (historically) | Only GH secretagogue with prior FDA approval history. Very short half-life limits practical utility |
| MK-677 (Ibutamoren) | Non-peptide GHS (spiroindoline) | GHS-R1a | Strong (sustained over 24 hr) | Transient mild elevation | Significant (hunger, weight gain) | ~4–6 hr (oral bioavailability) | Oral | Category 3 — not FDA-approved | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 2 — Clinical Trials (Phase II) | Only orally bioavailable GHS-R1a agonist. Most extensive human clinical dataset in the class. Appetite and insulin resistance are dose-limiting |
| GHRP-2 | Synthetic hexapeptide GHS | GHS-R1a | Strong (most potent classic GHRP) | Significant — cortisol and ACTH stimulation | Moderate | ~25–30 min | Subcutaneous injection | Category 3 — not available via US compounding | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 3 — Preclinical / Mechanistic | Most potent GH release of classic GHRPs, but cortisol/ACTH co-stimulation works against anabolic intent |
| GHRP-6 | Synthetic hexapeptide GHS | GHS-R1a | Strong | Significant — cortisol and ACTH stimulation | Strong (intense hunger) | ~15–20 min | Subcutaneous injection | Category 3 — not available via US compounding | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 3 — Preclinical / Mechanistic | First widely used GHRP. Intense appetite stimulation mirrors ghrelin signaling. Least selective of the class |
| Hexarelin | Synthetic hexapeptide GHS | GHS-R1a | Strong | Significant — cortisol and ACTH stimulation | Moderate | ~70 min | Subcutaneous injection | Category 3 — not available via US compounding | Prohibited — S2 | Tier 3 — Preclinical / Mechanistic | Rapid receptor desensitization limits sustained use. GH response attenuates more steeply over repeated dosing than other GHRPs |
Summary and Key Takeaways
CJC-1295 with DAC is the only compound in the Growth Hormone Secretagogues cluster with a published Phase I/II randomized controlled trial in healthy adults. That is a genuine evidence advantage. It is also the compound most frequently mischaracterized in the community—sold and used as a convenient version of CJC-1295 without DAC when it is, pharmacologically, a different compound with a different mechanism of effect.
- CJC-1295 with DAC produces sustained, continuous GH and IGF-1 elevation for up to 14 days from a single injection—not pulsatile GH stimulation.
- It is not equivalent to CJC-1295 without DAC. The DAC modification fundamentally changes the pharmacokinetic and physiological profile.
- Phase I/II RCT data (Teichman 2006) confirms GH/IGF-1 elevation and preliminary body composition signals. This is a higher evidence floor than most research peptides.
- The sustained IGF-1 elevation profile carries theoretical long-term risks that pulsatile protocols may not carry to the same degree. This is uncharacterized, not established risk.
- Combination with ipamorelin is used in the community but has weaker pharmacological rationale than the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 (no DAC) pairing.
- FDA Category 3. WADA prohibited under S2 both in- and out-of-competition.
The research moves fast. We read all of it so you don’t have to.
New compound reviews, evidence updates, and protocol analysis — sourced, cited, and written for people who actually read the studies.
Selected References and Key Studies
- Teichman SL, et al. 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. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799–805. — Primary Phase I/II RCT; the definitive published human study for this compound.
- Müller EE, et al. Neuroendocrine control of growth hormone secretion. Physiol Rev. 1999;79(2):511–607. — GHRH receptor pharmacology and GH axis regulation context.
- Frohman LA, Jansson JO. Growth hormone-releasing hormone. Endocr Rev. 1986;7(3):223–53. — Foundational GHRH biology.
- Iranmanesh A, et al. Dynamics of 24-hour endogenous cortisol secretion and clearance in normal men as assessed by deconvolution analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1990;70(1):90–7. — GH pulsatility context.
Further Reading and References
- CJC-1295 (no DAC) article at peptidings.com/peptides/cjc-1295/ — the no-DAC form, different pharmacology
- Ipamorelin article at peptidings.com/peptides/ipamorelin/ — GHS-R1a agonist combination partner
- Growth Hormone Secretagogues Cluster Hub at peptidings.com/peptides/growth-hormone-secretagogues/
- Peptidings Evidence Levels explainer at peptidings.com/peptide-evidence-levels/
Disclaimer
This article is produced for educational and research purposes only. Peptidings does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as an endorsement of any compound for human use outside of properly conducted clinical trials.
CJC-1295 with DAC information is provided for research and educational purposes only. Readers are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws in their jurisdiction.
All citations link to primary sources where available. Where cited studies are limited to animal models or early-phase trials, that limitation is stated explicitly in the text and is not minimized.
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