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CJC-1295

A growth hormone peptide for fat loss, deeper sleep, and faster recovery. CJC-1295 (also known as Mod GRF 1-29) is a modified GHRH analog with four amino acid substitutions that improve stability. With a short ~30 minute half-life, it mimics natural pulsatile GH release patterns. Often combined with GHRPs like Ipamorelin for synergistic effects.

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🧬Key Characteristics
The 4 substitutions
  • Position 2: Ala D-Ala
    (Helps prevent enzymatic cleavage.)
  • Position 8: Asn Gln
    (Helps prevent chemical rearrangement.)
  • Position 15: Gly Ala
    (Can enhance receptor binding strength.)
  • Position 27: Met Leu
    (Helps reduce oxidation damage.)
Modified sequence
Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg-NH₂
Positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 are modified; the rest remain identical to sermorelin, yielding improved stability while maintaining a short half-life (~30 minutes).
Key takeaway: Modified GRF (1-29) and CJC-1295 no DAC are the same peptide — sermorelin with four strategic substitutions for better stability, still short-acting compared to CJC-1295 with DAC.

Overview

Core Benefits

Key Advantages
Lean muscle support
Discussed alongside resistance training to aid strength and muscle preservation.
Body recomposition
Paired with nutrition plans to address stubborn fat and physique balance.
Recovery cadence
Reported to help reduce downtime between sessions and support joint comfort.
Sleep depth
Often noted for supporting deeper sleep cycles and overnight recovery.
Vitality narratives
Skin, energy, and cognitive focus described anecdotally in wellness settings.
Stack compatibility
Commonly paired with ipamorelin to engage complementary GH pathways.

These are educational summaries of commonly discussed effects in wellness/regenerative contexts, not guarantees.

CJC-1295 Results Timeline

Progression
1
Week 1–2
Physical Changes
Early fat mobilization, muscle fullness
Performance & Recovery
Noticeably better sleep, faster post-workout recovery
Other Benefits
Increased energy, improved mood
2
Week 3–6
Physical Changes
Visible fat reduction (especially belly), increased muscle definition
Performance & Recovery
Greater workout endurance, reduced soreness
Other Benefits
Healthier skin tone, sharper mental focus
3
Month 2–4
Physical Changes
Significant lean muscle gain, accelerated fat loss
Performance & Recovery
Stronger recovery, noticeable strength gains
Other Benefits
Anti-aging effects: skin elasticity, hair quality, sustained energy
4
4+ Months
Physical Changes
Major body recomposition — lower fat % + more muscle
Performance & Recovery
Peak recovery, ability to train harder and more frequently
Other Benefits
Cumulative benefits with continued cycling (8 weeks on/off) or extended use

Timeline is illustrative and non-guaranteed. Outcomes vary and are commonly discussed alongside training, nutrition, sleep, and cycling practices.

How It Works

GHRH Analog (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone)

Sequence → Stability → GH Pattern → Outcomes

🎯
Target

GHRH Receptor on Pituitary Somatotrophs

CJC-1295 (no DAC) binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells — the same receptor targeted by Sermorelin and Tesamorelin. This is the "starter signal" that tells your body to release growth hormone.

Cellular Signal

cAMP → PKA Cascade → GH Vesicle Release

Receptor activation triggers the cAMP → PKA signaling cascade inside pituitary cells. This causes stored growth hormone to be released in pulses — not a constant drip, but bursts that mimic your body's natural rhythm.

🔄
Systemic Effect

Pulsatile GH → Liver IGF-1 → Metabolic Cascade

GH pulses travel to the liver and other tissues, stimulating IGF-1 production and triggering downstream metabolic effects: fat mobilization, protein synthesis, tissue repair, and cellular regeneration.

What You Notice

Sleep → Recovery → Body Composition → Vitality

Improved sleep quality is often the first effect noticed (weeks 1-2). Faster recovery and gradual fat loss follow over months. Skin elasticity, hair quality, and overall vitality improve with sustained use. Benefits build gradually — GH optimization is a slow, cumulative process.

What Makes This Peptide Different

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is essentially Sermorelin — GHRH(1-29) — with 4 targeted amino acid substitutions engineered to resist enzymatic breakdown. Same receptor, same signaling cascade, but the modifications keep the short fragment intact longer in the body. The ~30 minute half-life still produces natural pulsatile GH release, unlike the DAC version which sustains GH for days.

Sequence → Why It Matters

CJC-1295 retains the core active region of GHRH(1-29) with 4 engineered changes to reduce enzymatic breakdown:

1
Position 2: Ala → D-Ala
Protease resistance — prevents enzymes from chopping the peptide apart
2
Position 8: Asn → Gln
Chemical stability — prevents spontaneous rearrangement that deactivates the molecule
3
Position 15: Gly → Ala
Enhanced receptor binding — stronger engagement with the GHRH receptor
4
Position 27: Met → Leu
Oxidation resistance — prevents damage that would shorten shelf life and potency

So what? Same receptor target as Sermorelin, but engineered to keep the short 1-29 fragment intact long enough to reliably signal. The result: a more consistent GH pulse window compared to unmodified Sermorelin, without the sustained (non-pulsatile) elevation caused by the DAC version.

GHRH Peptide Comparison

PeptideHalf-LifeGH PatternWhat's Unique
Sermorelin~10-20 minShort, natural pulseNative GHRH(1-29) — no modifications, shortest duration
CJC-1295 (no DAC)~30 minBroader natural pulse4 substitutions for stability — more reliable signaling window
Tesamorelin~26-38 minReliable, broader pulseFull 44-AA GHRH + hexenoic acid — FDA-approved for visceral fat
CJC-1295 (DAC)6-8 daysSustained elevationAlbumin binding — convenience, but non-pulsatile GH

Dosing Protocol

Growth Hormone / Longevity

Educational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Vial Size
10 mg
Reconstitution
3 ml BAC water
Dose
200 mcg (6 units on 1ml syringe)
Timing
PM (before bed)
Frequency
5 days on, 2 days off
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Protocol Notes
Best taken before bed to amplify natural nighttime GH pulse. Often stacked with Ipamorelin.
Read the full dosing guide — protocols, reconstitution, clinical context & more

Popular Stack Protocols

1 stack

Commonly paired protocols from the peptide research community. Educational reference only.

🧬 CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin

Growth Hormone / Fat Loss / Anti-Aging
Dose
250 mcg
Vial Size
5 mg blend or separate vials
Reconstitution
2 ml BAC water (blend)
Dose
250 mcg
Vial Size
5 mg blend or separate vials
Reconstitution
2 ml BAC water (blend)
Timing
AM and/or PM (empty stomach)
Frequency
5 days on, 2 days off
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
The most popular GH stack. GHRH (CJC) + GHRP (Ipa) together produce significantly greater GH release than either alone — synergistic amplification of the natural GH pulse. Best taken on empty stomach (2+ hr fast). Many vendors sell this as a pre-mixed blend vial (5mg/5mg).

Why This Dosing Protocol

Why before bed? Your largest natural GH pulse occurs ~1 hour after falling asleep. Injecting CJC-1295 before bed amplifies this existing pulse rather than creating an artificial one, working with your circadian biology.

Why empty stomach? Food (especially carbs) triggers insulin release, which blunts GH secretion. A 2+ hour fast before injection ensures insulin is low when the GH pulse fires.

Why 5 days on / 2 days off? Prevents receptor desensitization. The 2-day break allows GHRH receptors to resensitize, maintaining response over longer protocols.

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Stacks

CJC-1295 is commonly paired with ipamorelin in GH-axis research discussions. For comparing bundles fairly, we normalize stack value using the CJC-1295 amount as the driving peptide (assuming ratios remain consistent as bundle sizes scale).

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin

Bundle of CJC-1295 (GHRH analog) and Ipamorelin (ghrelin-receptor secretagogue) often paired in GH-axis research discussions.

Sorted by cost per mg of CJC. COA = Certificate of Analysis (vendor-provided lab documentation).
VendorStackPrice$/mg (CJC)COALink
EZ Peptides5mg/5mg$44.00$8.80Go →
Certified Pep10mg/10mg$110.00$11.00Go →
Certified Pep5mg/5mg$60.00$12.00Go →
Ascension Peptides5mg$100.00$20.00Go →
Limitless Biotech6mg$156.99$26.17Go →

Reconstitution calculator

Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.

Open calculator

Handling

Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.

Powder Storage (Very Stable)
  • Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year ✓
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months ✓
  • Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
Reconstituted Storage (Fragile)
  • MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
  • 4-week maximum shelf life
  • NEVER freeze after reconstitution
  • Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose

Storage & Handling Guide

Learn proper storage temperatures, shelf life timelines, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.

Powder: Freezer
1+ year at -20°C
Reconstituted: Fridge
4 weeks max at 2-8°C
View Complete Storage Guide

FAQ

What are the most common side effects?

Most peptides cause mild injection site reactions, temporary water retention, and possible joint discomfort. CJC-1295 (no DAC) has minimal impact on cortisol and prolactin levels compared to other GH peptides.

Why do people stack CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin?

This combination works synergistically—CJC-1295 (GHRH pathway) increases the number of cells releasing GH, while Ipamorelin (GHRP pathway) increases GH release per cell. Together they produce stronger results with minimal side effects.

What is CJC-1295 and how does it work?

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). It stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone. The "no DAC" version has a half-life of about 30 minutes, producing pulsatile GH release that mimics natural patterns.

What is the difference between CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 with DAC?

CJC-1295 (no DAC) has a ~30 minute half-life and produces natural pulsatile GH release. CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds to albumin, extending half-life to 6-8 days and creating sustained GH elevation. No DAC is preferred for mimicking natural GH patterns; DAC for convenience.

What is the typical CJC-1295 dosage?

A common research dosage for CJC-1295 (no DAC) is 200 mcg per injection, taken once daily before bed on an empty stomach (5 days on, 2 days off). It's often combined with a GHRP like Ipamorelin at similar doses. Bedtime dosing amplifies the natural nighttime GH pulse.

What benefits does CJC-1295 provide?

By elevating GH and IGF-1 levels, CJC-1295 may support fat loss, lean muscle growth, improved sleep quality, faster recovery, enhanced skin health, and general anti-aging effects. Benefits develop gradually over weeks to months of consistent use.

How long until CJC-1295 shows results?

Initial effects like improved sleep quality may be noticed within 1-2 weeks. Body composition changes (fat loss, muscle gain) typically take 2-3 months. Skin and recovery improvements develop over 3-6 months. Patience and consistency are key — GH works gradually.

Is CJC-1295 better than synthetic HGH?

CJC-1295 stimulates your body's natural GH production rather than replacing it. This preserves natural feedback mechanisms and pulsatile release patterns. It's generally considered safer with fewer side effects than exogenous HGH, though effects may be more subtle. It's also significantly less expensive.

How long does reconstituted peptide last?

Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, peptides remain stable for up to 4 weeks when refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Unopened powder can last 1+ year in the freezer. Get our complete Storage & Travel Guide.

Is this peptide legal to purchase?

Peptides sold "for research purposes only" are legal to purchase in the US, but are not FDA-approved for human use outside of specific medical applications. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

New to peptides?

Take our Peptide Match tool to find the best peptide for your goals. You can also read our Complete Guide to Peptides to learn the basics.

Scientific Sources

The following peer-reviewed studies and official resources provide additional scientific context for this peptide:

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