CJC-1295: Benefits, Handling, the Ipamorelin Stack, and Quality Standards
Product Usage: This PRODUCT IS INTENDED AS A RESEARCH CHEMICAL ONLY. This designation allows the use of research chemicals strictly for in vitro testing and laboratory experimentation only. All product information available on this website is for educational purposes only. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law. This product should only be handled by licensed, qualified professionals. This product is not a drug, food, or cosmetic and may not be misbranded, misused or mislabeled as a drug, food or cosmetic.
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), modeled on the first 29 residues of endogenous GHRH — the minimal sequence required for GHRH receptor activity. It was developed to overcome the primary limitation of natural GHRH, which is broken down in circulation within minutes. By binding the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, CJC-1295 is studied for its ability to stimulate a natural, pulsatile pattern of growth hormone release, rather than the flat elevation produced by exogenous GH administration.
CJC-1295 With DAC vs. Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)
CJC-1295 exists in the research literature in two forms, distinguished by whether the molecule carries a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC):
- With DAC. The DAC modification binds reversibly to serum albumin in circulation, extending the peptide’s half-life to roughly 6–8 days. Published pharmacokinetic data describes a single dose producing sustained GH elevation for 6 or more days and IGF-1 elevation for 9–11 days.
- Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29). Without the DAC group, the peptide clears within roughly 30 minutes, producing a shorter, sharper GH pulse rather than a sustained elevation.
CellGenic’s current catalog supplies the no-DAC form, paired with Ipamorelin as a combined research blend — see the Ipamorelin stack section below. The DAC form is described here for research-literature context.
Benefits and Uses
Available research on CJC-1295 centers almost entirely on its effect on the GH/IGF-1 axis, with the honest caveat that this is where the human evidence is strongest — downstream outcomes are considerably less established:
- GH and IGF-1 elevation. The best-documented effect. A 2006 Phase 1 dose-escalation study in healthy adults reported dose-dependent GH increases of 2- to 10-fold and IGF-1 elevations of 1.5- to 3-fold following a single subcutaneous dose.
- Preserved pulsatility. Research has reported that CJC-1295 maintains the body’s own pulsatile GH release pattern during stimulation, distinguishing it from constant-level exogenous GH administration.
- Body composition and recovery. CJC-1295 is studied in the context of body composition and tissue recovery via its upstream effect on GH and IGF-1, though direct clinical outcome data on these downstream effects is limited.
The hormonal effect on GH and IGF-1 is well documented in human trials. Broader claims about body composition, recovery, or aging outcomes rest primarily on that hormonal mechanism rather than on dedicated outcome trials.
The Ipamorelin Stack
CJC-1295 is frequently studied and supplied alongside Ipamorelin. The two act through different mechanisms that combine for a larger GH pulse than either produces alone: CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog that signals the pituitary to synthesize and release GH, while Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue that triggers release of already-stored GH through the ghrelin receptor, without the cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH activity seen with older secretagogues.Available research on CJC-1295 centers almost entirely on its effect on the GH/IGF-1 axis, with the honest caveat that this is where the human evidence is strongest — downstream outcomes are considerably less established:
How It Works
CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells, activating a signaling cascade that leads to GH synthesis and pulsatile release. Released GH acts on the liver and other tissues to produce IGF-1, the factor that mediates most of GH’s downstream effects. Because the signal passes through the body’s own pituitary rather than delivering GH directly, the release pattern remains pulsatile rather than constant — the basis for most comparisons researchers draw between GHRH analogs and direct GH administration.
Dosage and Administration
No standardized dosing protocol exists for CJC-1295 outside of individual study designs, and any research protocol, form, route, or dose is determined solely by the licensed researcher or practitioner and their institution.
For reference, the foundational human pharmacokinetic study administered CJC-1295 with DAC subcutaneously at ascending single doses; separate research on the no-DAC form has used more frequent dosing intervals consistent with its shorter half-life. This reflects historical study design, not a recommended or current protocol.
For labs converting a professional’s own determined research dose into an accurate reconstitution volume, CellGenic’s calculator tool is open to any visitor, with no account required.
Side Effects and Safety
Reported effects in the published human trials are generally mild — injection-site reactions, flushing, and headache are the most commonly noted. Because CJC-1295 raises GH and IGF-1, the relevant safety monitoring in a research setting concerns the downstream effects of higher GH: glucose handling and IGF-1 levels are the typical markers tracked.
For full transparency: the original clinical development program for CJC-1295 with DAC included a Phase 2 trial in HIV-associated lipodystrophy (NCT00267527) that was halted in 2006 following a participant death. The attending physician attributed the death most likely to pre-existing coronary artery disease, and no definitive causal link to CJC-1295 was established; the sponsor discontinued the program as a precaution. Long-term human safety data for CJC-1295 beyond the original short-duration trials remains limited. Researchers should establish baseline metabolic and IGF-1 values before and during any protocol.
Quality & Verification Standards
Every CellGenic lot is manufactured under cGMP conditions and undergoes mycoplasma, sterility, identity, and potency testing prior to release. Certificates of Analysis are issued per batch and can be retrieved directly using your batch number.
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin in CellGenic's Protocols
Within CellGenic’s own provider protocols, the
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin blend is paired with Epitalon and DSIP to support GH pulsatility, sleep architecture, and longevity tone, and separately paired with Tesamorelin and
DSIP to support hormonal rhythm and body composition — rather than being studied in isolation. Providers building a GH-axis protocol can review the full pairings and their component products directly.
Become a Verified Provider
Certificates of Analysis, batch documentation, and pricing are available exclusively to verified physicians, clinic operators, and researchers.
Become a Provider → A CellGenic specialist will follow up within one business day. Once your account is verified, full pricing and Certificates of Analysis unlock automatically.
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