Long-acting GHRH analog

CJC-1295

A growth hormone–releasing hormone analog best known for its Drug Affinity Complex, which binds albumin and extends GH/IGF-1 stimulation from minutes to days.

GHRH receptorAlbumin bindingDAC vs “no DAC”

Quick facts

CJC-1295 at a glance

ClassGHRH analogStimulates pituitary GH release

DAC formLong actingCovalent albumin binding

Human half-life5.8–8.1 daysEstimated for DAC molecule

Human evidenceSmall phase I studiesHormones, not body outcomes

FDA statusNot approvedNo approved CJC product

Main markerIGF-1Can accumulate with DAC

The naming problem

DAC and “no DAC” are not a minor formulation choice

CJC-1295 with DAC

Modified GHRH sequence plus reactive Drug Affinity Complex
Forms a covalent bond with circulating albumin
Estimated half-life measured in days
Studied in healthy adults using weekly or biweekly exposure
Sustained GH trough and IGF-1 elevation
Cumulative exposure after repeated dosing

“CJC-1295 without DAC”

Usually a vendor name for Modified GRF(1-29)
Also called Mod GRF or tetrasubstituted GRF(1-29)
No albumin-binding DAC group
Short action designed around discrete secretagogue pulses
Often paired with ipamorelin
Not the molecule tested in the famous long-acting human trial

Label-reading rule: a vial saying only “CJC-1295” may not reveal the molecular form, counterion, purity, or presence of DAC. The FDA’s 2024 review noted that marketed and compounded descriptions often fail to specify these details.

CJC-1295 with DAC compared with Modified GRF 1-29 commonly called CJC-1295 no DAC

Suggested graphic: authentic DAC molecule versus Modified GRF(1-29) naming map · 1500 × 900

Mechanism

Long exposure without completely flattening GH pulses

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Albumin anchoring

After injection, the DAC group reacts with albumin. Albumin acts as a circulating carrier, slowing clearance and proteolytic breakdown.

DAC-specific

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GHRH receptor

The active peptide stimulates pituitary somatotrophs, increasing endogenous growth hormone rather than supplying exogenous HGH.

Pituitary dependent

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Pulses persist

A small human study found that pulsatility remained one week after DAC dosing, while GH troughs rose markedly. It did not simply create a flat GH infusion.

Human physiology

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IGF-1 exposure

Longer GH stimulation raises hepatic IGF-1 for many days. Multiple DAC doses can accumulate before the earlier dose has fully cleared.

Monitoring concern

Overlooked detail: in the pulsatility study, pulse frequency and amplitude did not meaningfully change; the major change was a 7.5-fold rise in basal GH troughs. “Preserved pulses” therefore does not mean the overall profile remained physiologic.

Human evidence

Strong hormonal effects, weak outcome evidence

Randomized phase I

Healthy-adult hormone study

Two ascending-dose trials found dose-dependent GH increases of roughly 2–10 times baseline for at least six days and IGF-1 increases of roughly 1.5–3 times baseline for 9–11 days after one DAC injection.

What was demonstratedLong pharmacology, GH/IGF-1 elevation, and short-term tolerability—not fat loss, muscle growth, sleep improvement, recovery, or longevity.

Small mechanistic study

GH pulsatility

Overnight sampling in healthy men one week after DAC showed preserved pulses but substantially higher basal GH and a 45% rise in IGF-1.

Why it mattersLong-acting stimulation can preserve pulse architecture while still increasing continuous background exposure.

Extrapolated

Modified GRF(1-29) stacks

Short-acting “no DAC” schedules are based on GHRH biology, secretagogue synergy, and community experience. They were not tested in the published CJC-1295 DAC trials.

No validated optimal ipamorelin ratio
No controlled bodybuilding outcomes
No established long-term safety

Not established

Body composition and anti-aging

There are no robust controlled trials showing that CJC-1295 produces meaningful fat loss, muscle gain, injury healing, better sleep, or healthspan extension in healthy adults.

Hormone movement is a surrogate endpoint
Higher IGF-1 is not synonymous with better aging
Long-term cancer and metabolic outcomes are unknown

Claim	Direct CJC-1295 evidence	Best interpretation
Raises GH	Yes, small controlled DAC studies	Well supported pharmacodynamically
Raises IGF-1	Yes, lasting many days with DAC	Well supported; exposure can accumulate
Builds muscle	No controlled outcome trial	Plausible claim, not demonstrated benefit
Burns fat	No controlled body-composition trial	Cannot borrow tesamorelin outcomes
Improves sleep/recovery	No robust direct trial	Community reports only

Evidence map separating CJC-1295 hormone effects from unproven body composition and recovery claims

Suggested graphic: proven hormone effects versus unproven outcome claims · 1500 × 900

How biohackers use it

Two community strategies built around different kinetics

DAC protocols

Common range: 1–2 mg once weekly
Alternative: smaller amounts twice weekly
Cycles: commonly 8–16 weeks
Goal: sustained IGF-1 and fewer injections
Stacking: sometimes paired with ipamorelin despite continuous GHRH exposure
Main concern: accumulation and persistent high IGF-1

“No DAC” / Mod GRF protocols

Common amount: 100 mcg per administration
Frequency: one to three times daily
Pairing: often 100 mcg ipamorelin in the same session
Timing: bedtime, fasted morning, or post-training
Food spacing: users often avoid meals around dosing
Goal: discrete GH pulses with low background exposure

Why people pair GHRH with ipamorelin: GHRH signaling and ghrelin-receptor signaling can converge on GH release through complementary pathways. The popular 1:1 microgram ratio is a community convention—not a proven optimum.

Reconstitution and syringe reference

Separate long-acting milligrams from short-acting micrograms

2 mg DACLong-acting example

Hypothetical weekly-use concentration.

Example liquid1 mL

Per unit20 mcg

1 mg50 units

5 mg DACLong-acting example

More concentrated weekly reference.

Example liquid2 mL

Per unit25 mcg

1 mg40 units

2 mg Mod GRFShort-acting example

Common pulse-oriented concentration.

Example liquid2 mL

Per unit10 mcg

100 mcg10 units

2 mg
Mod GRF vial

2 mL
liquid

1 mg/mL
10 mcg per unit

Formula: amount ÷ concentration = volume. Confirm whether the vial contains DAC or Modified GRF before using any table. See What Is Reconstitution?, the U-100 Syringe Guide, and the Reconstitution Calculator.

Safety, monitoring and storage

Long action makes errors last longer

FDA has identified significant concerns

CJC-1295 is not FDA approved. FDA places it among bulk substances that may present significant safety risks for compounding, citing limited clinical data, immunogenicity and peptide-characterization concerns, and serious adverse events including increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reaction.

FDA’s review also raised nonclinical injection-site, DNA-damage, and theoretical pituitary-overstimulation concerns; long-term carcinogenicity data are absent.

GH/IGF-1 effectsFluid retention, joint pain, tingling, carpal-tunnel symptoms, headache, and possible glucose intolerance.

MonitoringIGF-1 with age-adjusted z-score, fasting glucose/A1c, edema, blood pressure, resting heart rate, and symptoms.

DAC accumulationWeekly redosing occurs before full clearance; adverse hormonal exposure cannot be quickly “turned off.”

StorageProtect lyophilized material from heat, light, and moisture; after mixing, community practice is refrigeration at 2–8°C and gentle handling.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about CJC-1295

Is CJC-1295 without DAC really CJC-1295?

Usually not in the strict scientific sense. Products sold as “CJC-1295 no DAC” are commonly Modified GRF(1-29), a related short-acting GHRH analog without the albumin-binding Drug Affinity Complex.

Which form was studied in humans?

The widely cited controlled studies used long-acting CJC-1295 with DAC. Their multi-day pharmacology cannot be assigned to Modified GRF(1-29).

Does DAC eliminate GH pulses?

A small human study found pulses persisted one week after dosing, but basal GH troughs rose markedly. Preserved pulsatility does not mean normal overall exposure.

Why is no-DAC paired with ipamorelin?

They stimulate GH through complementary GHRH and ghrelin-receptor pathways. The popular pairing is physiologically plausible, but optimal ratios and long-term outcomes are not established.

Does CJC-1295 burn fat or build muscle?

Human research confirms GH and IGF-1 elevation, not clinically meaningful changes in fat mass or muscle. It should not borrow tesamorelin’s visceral-fat evidence.

Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?

No. There is no FDA-approved drug containing CJC-1295, and FDA has highlighted safety and product-characterization concerns.

Research sources

Where this information comes from

PLong-Acting CJC-1295 in Healthy AdultsRandomized phase I pharmacokinetics, GH, IGF-1, half-life, and cumulative exposure↗PGH Pulsatility StudyPreserved pulses with elevated basal GH one week after DAC dosing↗PGH/IGF-1 Serum Protein StudyExploratory human biomarker changes after CJC-1295↗FDAFDA CJC-1295 Compounding ReviewIdentity, nomenclature, human exposure, pharmacology, and safety assessment↗FDAFDA Significant Safety-Risk ListCurrent regulatory concerns for compounded CJC-1295↗

Continue learning

Explore related roadmap pages

DAC vs Without DAC →Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295 →CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin →Syringe Unit Calculator →

Know which molecule is actually in the vial.

With CJC-1295, DAC versus “no DAC” changes the identity, half-life, dosing logic, evidence base, and risk of accumulation—not just the injection schedule.

Explore the Research Library

Educational research reference only · Community protocols are not medical advice · Last evidence review: July 2026