CJC-1295
A synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It comes in two forms — "with DAC" (long-acting) and "without DAC" (Mod GRF 1-29, short-acting) — both used to raise the body’s own GH. Neither is an approved drug.
Quick take
- What it is: a synthetic copy of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), made to last longer than the natural hormone.
- Two versions: "with DAC" lasts days per dose; "without DAC" (Mod GRF 1-29) lasts minutes-to-hours and is often paired with a ghrelin-type peptide.
- What we actually know: it raises GH and IGF-1 in short studies; long-term human outcome and safety data is limited.
- Status: not FDA-approved and banned in competitive sport.
What it is
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) — the natural signal from the hypothalamus that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone (GH). It is built around the shortened, active fragment of GHRH (the first 29 amino acids, “GRF 1-29”) with amino-acid substitutions that resist breakdown.1
The compound exists in two forms that are often confused:
- CJC-1295 with DAC — carries a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that binds to albumin in the blood, dramatically extending the half-life to roughly several days per dose.
- CJC-1295 without DAC, usually called Mod GRF 1-29 — lacks the DAC, so it acts for only minutes to a few hours and is typically dosed more frequently.
How it works
Rather than supplying GH directly, CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary and prompts it to release the body’s own GH, which in turn raises IGF-1.1,2 Because it works through the GHRH pathway, it is mechanistically different from ghrelin-mimetic secretagogues (such as ipamorelin or the GHRPs), and the two classes are often combined to act on parallel receptors.
The with-DAC version produces a sustained elevation in GH and IGF-1 (“bleed”), while the without-DAC version is intended to preserve a more pulse-like release closer to natural physiology.
What the evidence shows
Animal studies
Preclinical work on GHRH analogues, including the DAC technology behind CJC-1295, shows prolonged GH release after a single dose.2 These studies established the pharmacology that makes the compound long-acting.
Human studies
Early-phase human research on CJC-1295 with DAC reported sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1 over several days after single and multiple injections.3 What is far less established is whether these hormonal changes translate into meaningful long-term benefits for recovery, body composition or aging — and what long-term safety looks like. There are no large, long-duration outcome trials. Much of the popular use rests on short-term physiology plus anecdote.
Dosages reported in the literature
Informational only. The figures below describe doses reported in research and clinical settings. They are not a recommendation or a prescription, and appropriate use should be determined by a qualified healthcare professional who can account for your individual situation.
| Setting | Route | Reported range |
|---|---|---|
| With DAC (research) | Subcutaneous | Reported in microgram-per-kilogram amounts, dosed roughly weekly |
| Without DAC / Mod GRF 1-29 (anecdotal) | Subcutaneous | Commonly ~100 mcg per dose, often timed around sleep or training |
| Combined with a secretagogue (anecdotal) | Subcutaneous | Each component dosed in microgram ranges |
Reported protocols vary widely between sources and are not supported by long-term outcome trials.
Safety & side effects
Reported short-term side effects include injection-site reactions, flushing, headache, water retention and tingling. The sustained GH elevation from the DAC version raises theoretical concerns about effects associated with prolonged high GH/IGF-1 (such as fluid retention, joint discomfort and insulin sensitivity), but there are no long-term controlled human studies to characterize this.3
As with all peptides from the unregulated market, product purity and dose accuracy vary between sources, which is a major reason clinician oversight and pharmaceutical-grade sourcing matter for anyone considering one.
Legal & regulatory status
CJC-1295 (in either form) is not approved by the FDA for any use. It is banned in competitive sport — the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits GHRH analogues and growth-hormone secretagogues at all times (category S2).4 Rules vary by country and change over time.
References
- Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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. [PMID 16352683, doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536]
- Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, Lawrence B, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA, Salvatori R. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006;291(6):E1290-E1294. [PMID 16822960, doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00201.2006]
- Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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. [PMID 16352683, doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536]
- World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List — International Standard. Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), S2.2.4 Growth Hormone Releasing Factors, including GHRH and its analogues (e.g. CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin); prohibited at all times. Montreal: WADA; effective 1 January 2026. [wada-ama.org]