CJC-1295 without DAC — also known as Mod GRF (1-29) — is a modified growth hormone-releasing hormone analog. It signals the pituitary to release growth hormone, but unlike the DAC version, it works in short bursts that mimic the body's natural pulsatile GH secretion.
The reconstitution process is standard peptide preparation. But because CJC-1295 no DAC has a short half-life (roughly 30 minutes), timing and dose precision matter more than with longer-acting compounds.
Research-context information only. CJC-1295 is a research peptide. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from published research and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.
CJC-1295 (no DAC) lyophilized vial (typically 2mg or 5mg)
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) — not sterile water, not saline
Insulin syringes — 1mL (100 unit), 29-31 gauge
Alcohol swabs — for cleaning vial tops
A clean, flat workspace
Why bacteriostatic water? It contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol that prevents bacteria from growing in the solution. Regular sterile water has no preservative, so the vial must be used within 24 hours. BAC water allows up to 28 days refrigerated.
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Step-by-Step Reconstitution
Step 1: Clean Everything
Protocols describe wiping the tops of both vials (CJC-1295 and BAC water) with alcohol swabs, then letting them air dry for 10 seconds. This prevents contamination — a step community resources flag as essential.
Step 2: Draw Your Bacteriostatic Water
Protocols describe using a fresh insulin syringe to draw the desired amount of BAC water. The amount added determines the concentration (see the dilution charts below).
For a 2mg vial, 2mL gives the cleanest math. 100mcg doses come out to exactly 10 units.
Step 3: Add Water to the Peptide Vial
Protocols describe inserting the needle into the CJC-1295 vial at an angle, aiming at the glass wall — not directly at the powder — and letting the water trickle down the side of the vial gently.
Water is not squirted directly onto the powder. Peptides are fragile. Aggressive mixing can damage the molecular structure and reduce potency.
Step 4: Let It Dissolve
Protocols describe swirling the vial gently with a slow rotating motion rather than shaking it. The powder should dissolve within 1-2 minutes into a perfectly clear, colorless solution.
If particles remain after 5 minutes of gentle swirling, the peptide may be degraded. A properly manufactured CJC-1295 dissolves easily.
Step 5: Store Correctly
Reconstituted vials are refrigerated immediately at 36-46F (2-8C). The reconstituted solution is stable for up to 28 days with bacteriostatic water.
Dilution Charts
Why 2mL? It gives you clean, round numbers for standard doses — easy to measure, hard to mess up.
The Math (So You Can Do It Yourself)
Here's the formula for any vial size and any amount of water:
Concentration = Peptide Amount (mcg) / Water Added (mL)
Then to find the injection volume:
Units to inject = Desired Dose (mcg) / Concentration (mcg/mL) x 100
Example: 2,000mcg vial + 2mL water = 1,000mcg/mL. For a 100mcg dose: 100 / 1,000 x 100 = 10 units.
Don't want to do math? Use our Reconstitution Calculator — plug in the vial size, water amount, and desired dose, and it does the rest.
Affiliate disclosure: vendor links in this article are affiliate links — The Peptide Catalog may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no additional cost to you.
Common Mistakes
Shaking the Vial
Peptides are proteins. Shaking creates foam, which means air bubbles trapped against peptide molecules. This can denature (destroy) the peptide at the air-liquid interface. Protocols describe swirling gently rather than shaking.
Using Too Little Water
Adding 0.5mL to a 2mg vial gives 4,000mcg/mL. A 100mcg dose is only 2.5 units — nearly impossible to measure accurately on an insulin syringe. Protocols describe using at least 1mL, ideally 2mL.
Leaving It at Room Temperature
Reconstituted CJC-1295 degrades at room temperature. Protocols describe pulling the vial out, drawing the dose, and returning it to the refrigerator. The short half-life of the active peptide in the body is separate from solution stability, but degradation in the vial is still a concern.
Reusing Needles
Each puncture through the rubber stopper dulls the needle and increases contamination risk. Protocols describe a fresh syringe every time — they cost pennies.
Freezing Reconstituted Peptide
Freezing a liquid peptide solution creates ice crystals that can shear the peptide bonds apart. Protocols describe freezing only lyophilized (powder) peptides. Once reconstituted, the solution is refrigerated — never frozen.
Ignoring Timing
This is the most common mistake specific to CJC-1295 no DAC. With a 30-minute half-life, injection timing matters. Community protocols describe injecting on an empty stomach — food (especially carbs and fats) blunts the GH pulse. Most protocols time injections before bed, upon waking, or post-workout. Community protocols and self-reported sources commonly note that eating within 30 minutes of injection may blunt the GH pulse, citing the known suppressive effect of postprandial insulin on GH secretion.
How Many Doses Per Vial?
This depends on the dose and vial size:
2mg vial at 100mcg/dose = 20 doses2mg vial at 150mcg/dose = 13 doses5mg vial at 100mcg/dose = 50 doses5mg vial at 150mcg/dose = 33 doses
At a standard protocol of 100mcg 1-3 times daily, a 2mg vial lasts 7-20 days. A 5mg vial lasts 17-50 days. Most users find the 5mg vial more economical.
Storage Quick Reference
State
Temperature
Shelf Life
Lyophilized (powder)
Room temp
6-12 months
Lyophilized (powder)
Refrigerated
2+ years
Lyophilized (powder)
Frozen (-20C)
3+ years
Reconstituted (BAC water)
Refrigerated
Up to 28 days
Reconstituted (sterile water)
Refrigerated
Use within 24 hours
Documented storage practice: With multiple vials, unopened ones are kept in the freezer and only what will be used within 3-4 weeks is reconstituted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bacteriostatic water is added to CJC-1295?
For a 2mg vial, adding 2mL of bacteriostatic water gives 1,000mcg/mL. A 100mcg dose would be 10 units (0.1mL) on an insulin syringe — clean, easy math.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?
CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds to albumin in the blood, extending its half-life to 6-8 days. CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29) has a half-life of about 30 minutes, producing a shorter, more natural GH pulse. Most protocols use the no-DAC version for physiologic pulsatile release.
Can CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin be mixed in the same syringe?
Many users draw from both vials into one syringe for a single injection. The peptides are chemically compatible for the brief time between drawing and injecting. Protocols describe not pre-mixing vials together for storage.
Why does timing matter more with CJC-1295 no DAC?
CJC-1295 without DAC has a half-life of approximately 30 minutes. It triggers a GH pulse that peaks within 15-30 minutes and subsides relatively quickly. Community protocols describe injecting on an empty stomach and timing around sleep or training to maximize the effect.
Research Supplies for CJC-1295
Hand-picked storage, injection, and recovery supplies paired with CJC-1295 protocols.
Teichman, S.L., et al. (2006). 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. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(3), 799-805. PubMed:16352683
Ionescu, M., et al. (2006). Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(12), 4792-4797. PubMed:17018654
Jette, L., et al. (2005). Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology, 146(7), 3052-3058. PubMed:15817669
USP General Chapter 797: Pharmaceutical Compounding — Sterile Preparations. Storage and beyond-use dating guidelines for reconstituted peptides.
This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. CJC-1295 is sold as a research compound and is not FDA-approved for human use. Reconstituting and self-administering peptides carries inherent risks including infection, contamination, and dosing errors. Always use proper sterile technique. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol. The Peptide Catalog is not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use or misuse of information presented here.
