CJC-1295
Modified GRF (1-29), Mod GRF, CJC-1295 DAC, Sermorelin analogue
GHRH analogue sold in two very different versions that share a name - one lasts half an hour, the other lasts a week, and confusing them ruins the protocol.
Preclinical only
Not approved. Appears on the FDA's Category 2 bulk drug substances list. WADA-prohibited.
What it is
CJC-1295 is a modified fragment of growth hormone releasing hormone. Like tesamorelin, it binds the GHRH receptor and prompts the pituitary to release your own GH.
The DAC distinction - read this before buying anything
Two products are sold under this name and they behave completely differently:
| Mod GRF (1-29) / "no DAC" | CJC-1295 with DAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | ~30 minutes | ~6-8 days |
| Dosing | Daily, often multiple pulses | Once or twice weekly |
| GH pattern | Sharp pulse, mimics physiology | Sustained elevation, "GH bleed" |
| Pairs with ipamorelin | Yes, this is the standard stack | Poorly - the point of pulsing is lost |
DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex - a linker that binds the peptide to serum albumin so it circulates for days instead of minutes.
That sustained elevation is a real pharmacological difference, not a convenience upgrade. Endogenous GH is released in discrete pulses with troughs between them, and the trough is thought to matter for receptor sensitivity. DAC versions flatten the pulse into a plateau. Whether that is better or worse is genuinely unsettled - but it is a different drug, and side effects like water retention and joint pain are consistently reported as worse on DAC.
Vendors label both simply "CJC-1295." Check which one you are buying.
The evidence position
The 2006 human study established that CJC-1295 with DAC produces sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1 lasting days - the pharmacology is real and measured in humans.
What has not been shown is that this translates into the body composition, recovery or anti-ageing outcomes people use it for. As with the rest of this class: the mechanism works, the outcome is unproven.
Practical notes
- Match the version to the plan. No-DAC for a pulsatile protocol with ipamorelin; DAC only if you specifically want sustained elevation and accept the side effect profile.
- Do not run it alongside tesamorelin. Both are GHRH receptor agonists. You are pushing the same receptor twice.
- Fasted dosing, same reasoning as the rest of the GH axis.
- Track IGF-1 if you are going to do this at all.
Side effects and warning signs
Commonly reported
- Injection-site redness and itching
- Flushing and head rush shortly after dosing
- Water retention, joint aches and hand stiffness - more pronounced on DAC versions
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Reduced insulin sensitivity
Stop and get medical help
- Progressive hand numbness or weakness - carpal tunnel from GH-driven fluid retention
- Rising fasting glucose or HbA1c
- Any active malignancy
Sources
From the community
Discussion for this compound concentrates in r/Peptidesource and r/PeptideForum.
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