CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the signal that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone. The form tested in people carries a “drug affinity complex” (DAC) that binds the blood protein albumin, so it lasts about a week: in small 2006 studies, one injection raised GH 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days. Products sold as “CJC-1295 without DAC” are a different, short-acting peptide with no published human data. No study has tested either for muscle or fat loss, and neither is approved.
This review merges our older CJC-1295 guide on the with/without-DAC question. For the most common pairing, see CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin.
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a modified version of the first 29 amino acids of GHRH (the active part of the hormone), developed by ConjuChem in the early 2000s. ConjuChem added a reactive linker so the peptide attaches to albumin after injection, which protects it from breakdown. It was tested in healthy adults in 2006, and a Phase 2 trial in adults with HIV and visceral fat (NCT00267527) was terminated that year; the registry gives no reason. It is not a SARM, a steroid or growth hormone itself.
How does it work?
It binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary, which then releases more growth hormone; GH in turn raises IGF-1 from the liver. A 2006 study found that, a week after one injection, the normal pattern of GH pulses was kept, but the trough (lowest) GH level was 7.5 times higher, mean GH 46% higher and IGF-1 45% higher. That steady background rise, rather than a single spike, is what distinguishes the DAC form.
CJC-1295 with vs without DAC
| CJC-1295 with DAC | “CJC-1295 without DAC” (modified GRF 1-29) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The molecule tested in clinical studies; binds albumin | A related GHRH (1-29) analog without the albumin-binding group |
| Half-life | About 5.8–8.1 days after injection under the skin | Not established in people (often quoted as about 30 minutes) |
| Effect on GH | Raised GH for 6+ days and IGF-1 for 9–11 days after one dose | No published human data |
| Human studies | 3 small studies (2006) | None found |
Anti-doping researchers treat “CJC-1295” and “CJC-1295 with drug affinity complex” as separate analogs, so check which one a product is. The short-acting form is popular because users want GH pulses closer to the body’s natural pattern; that is a rationale, not a tested benefit. SwissChems sells both forms, as 2 mg vials.
What the human studies show
| Study | People | What was given | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dose-ranging trial 1 (2006) | Healthy adults aged 21–61 | One injection under the skin, four ascending doses (30–60 µg/kg best tolerated) | GH up 2–10-fold for 6+ days; IGF-1 up 1.5–3-fold for 9–11 days; no serious reactions |
| Dose-ranging trial 2 (2006) | Healthy adults aged 21–61 | 2 or 3 injections, weekly or every two weeks | IGF-1 above baseline for up to 28 days, with a cumulative effect |
| GH-pulse study (2006) | Healthy men aged 20–40 | 60 or 90 µg/kg, single injection | Normal GH pulses kept; trough GH 7.5-fold higher, IGF-1 +45% |
CJC-1295 benefits: what is and isn’t shown
| Claim | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Raises GH and IGF-1 | Shown in healthy adults (with-DAC form) |
| Fat loss | Not shown; the visceral-fat trial was terminated without results |
| Muscle growth | Not tested in people; one mouse study with ipamorelin (steroid-induced muscle loss) |
| Better sleep or recovery | Not tested |
CJC-1295 half-life
About 5.8 to 8.1 days after injection under the skin in healthy adults, for the with-DAC form, because it binds albumin. For “without DAC” products, the half-life has not been established in a published human study.
Dosing
We do not give personal doses. The 2006 studies used single injections of 30–90 µg/kg (30 or 60 µg/kg were best tolerated) and repeat injections weekly or every two weeks. No study set a dose for muscle, fat loss or aging, and there are no human dosing data for the without-DAC form.
CJC-1295 side effects
The 2006 trials reported no serious adverse reactions and called it “relatively well tolerated”. The FDA, however, says it has identified serious adverse events with CJC-1295, including increased heart rate and a systemic vasodilatory reaction, and notes possible immune reactions and impurity problems; it placed CJC-1295 in Category 2 (significant safety risks) before the compounding nomination was withdrawn. Long-term effects of keeping GH and IGF-1 raised are unknown; the approved GHRH analog tesamorelin carries label warnings about raised IGF-1 and blood sugar. Users also report flushing, warmth, dizziness and injection-site reactions.
Is CJC-1295 legal?
It is not an approved drug: no product exists in the FDA or EMA databases. In the US, the nomination to allow pharmacy compounding was withdrawn after the FDA placed it in Category 2. In Australia it is a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine, and possession without authority is illegal.
CJC-1295 in sports
WADA names CJC-1295 under S2.2.4 (GHRH analogs), prohibited at all times. See SARMs and WADA.
CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin
They act on different receptors: CJC-1295 on the GHRH receptor, ipamorelin on the ghrelin receptor. That is why they are often combined, but the pair has only been studied in mice, where it improved muscle force after steroid-induced muscle loss. Ipamorelin’s half-life is about 2 hours after IV infusion; CJC-1295 with DAC lasts about a week. More in CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin, tesamorelin vs ipamorelin and best growth hormone peptides.
Where to buy CJC-1295
Quality and identity are the main risks: the FDA flags impurity problems, and “with” and “without DAC” are easy to confuse. Sarmguide’s pick is SwissChems, which sells both forms as 2 mg vials and publishes independent test results; check the batch certificate states which form it is. See the lab tests guide.
Conclusion
CJC-1295 with DAC reliably raises GH and IGF-1 for about a week after one injection, in three small 2006 studies. Its one patient trial was terminated, no study tested it for muscle or fat loss, and the FDA lists serious adverse events. The without-DAC form sold today has no human data at all. Related: ipamorelin review · tesamorelin guide · MK-677
Charts
| Dose studied | Who took part | Duration | What the study found | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single injection under the skin, four ascending doses; 30 or 60 µg/kg were best tolerated | Healthy adults aged 21-61 | single dose, followed 28 days | randomized, placebo-controlled GH rose 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days. No serious adverse reactions. | PubMed 2006 |
| Two or three injections given weekly or every two weeks | Healthy adults aged 21-61 | 49 days | randomized, placebo-controlled IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days, with signs of a cumulative effect. | PubMed 2006 |
| 60 or 90 µg/kg, single injection under the skin | Healthy men aged 20-40 | measured 1 week after the dose | before-and-after study GH pulses kept their normal pattern; trough GH rose 7.5-fold, mean GH 46% and IGF-1 45%. No difference between the two doses. | PubMed 2006 |
Sources: the studies linked in the table.
Source: Sarmguide compound database; CJC-1295 value: 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 (2006).
More on CJC-1295
Frequently asked questions
What is CJC-1295?
A GHRH analogEvidence: Trial
A synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The clinically tested form binds albumin ("with DAC") and raised GH and IGF-1 for about a week after one injection in small 2006 studies.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?
Long-acting vs short-actingEvidence: Human data
With DAC binds albumin, has a half-life of about 6–8 days and is the form tested in people. "Without DAC" (modified GRF 1-29) is short-acting and has no published human data.
What is the half-life of CJC-1295?
About 6–8 days (with DAC)Evidence: Human data
About 5.8 to 8.1 days for the with-DAC form after injection under the skin. The half-life of the without-DAC form has not been established in people.
What does CJC-1295 do?
Raises GH and IGF-1Evidence: Trial
One injection raised GH 2–10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-1 1.5–3-fold for 9–11 days. Effects on muscle, fat or sleep have not been tested in people.
What are the side effects of CJC-1295?
FDA cites serious eventsEvidence: Law
Early trials reported no serious reactions, but the FDA cites serious adverse events including faster heart rate and a systemic vasodilatory reaction. Users report flushing, dizziness and injection-site reactions.
Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?
NoEvidence: Law
No approved product exists, and the nomination to allow pharmacy compounding was withdrawn after the FDA placed it in Category 2 (significant safety risks).
Is CJC-1295 good for sleep?
Not testedEvidence: Limited
No study has tested it for sleep. The idea comes from the link between GH pulses and deep sleep, not from a trial.
Can you take CJC-1295 with ipamorelin?
Only studied in miceEvidence: Animal
It is a common combination, but the pair has only been studied in mice. No human study has tested it.
Is CJC-1295 banned in sport?
Yes, banned by WADAEvidence: Law
WADA names it under S2.2.4 (GHRH analogs), prohibited at all times.
Sources
- 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
- Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00267527: Phase 2 study of CJC 1295 for 12 weeks in HIV patients with visceral obesity (terminated)
- Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians
- FDA: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (Category 2 list; content current as of 22 Apr 2026)
- EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) prescribing information, DailyMed (updated 3 Aug 2026)
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard - June 2026) Instrument 2026, F2026L00633 (Australia)
- World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2026