CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin: 250mcg/250mcg Stack Dosage

CJC-1295 (GHRH analog) and Ipamorelin (ghrelin mimetic) activate two completely different receptor systems that converge on GH release. The result is synergistic -- 2-3x greater GH output than either alone (Bowers et al., 1991). This is the most widely used growth hormone peptide stack in the community. This is not medical advice.

Research-context information only. CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin 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.

Quick Reference: Standard Protocol

Standard protocol: 250 mcg of each peptide, subcutaneous on empty stomach, AM and/or PM. 5 days on / 2 days off, 8 weeks on / 8 weeks off. If dosing once daily, before bed is optimal to amplify the natural nocturnal GH surge.

Cycling: 8 Weeks On, 8 Weeks Off

Community protocols typically run 250/250 mcg daily (5 on / 2 off) for 8 weeks followed by 8 weeks off. No loading phase is described; community sources document lower starting doses for first-time users:

• Week 1–2: Community sources document 100 mcg CJC-1295 + 100 mcg Ipamorelin, once daily before bed
• Week 3-4: 200 mcg each, once daily before bed
• Week 5+: 250 mcg each, 1–2x daily

The short half-life of the no-DAC GHRH component preserves natural pulsatile GH patterns. Community sources frame the 5-on/2-off and 8-week-cycle pattern around cost and letting IGF-1 normalize between blocks; no long-term trials have evaluated continuous use of this blend.

Empty stomach timing: GH release is blunted by insulin. Community protocols describe dosing on an empty stomach — 30+ minutes before eating or 2+ hours after a meal.

Routes of Administration

Subcutaneous injection (standard): Lower abdomen (most common), love handles, or outer thigh. Both peptides can be drawn into the same syringe. Community documentation describes use of a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe at a 45–90 degree angle into a pinched skin fold, with injection-site rotation.

Community protocols for this stack use CJC-1295 without DAC; the sustained GH elevation from DAC is documented as conflicting with the pulsatile profile.

Reconstitution Quick Reference

Math: Each peptide: 5,000 mcg / 2 mL = 2,500 mcg/mL. At 10 units (0.1 mL): 250 mcg of each. One vial lasts 20 doses.

If using separate vials (5 mg each with 2 mL BAC water), draw 10 units from each into the same syringe -- 20 units total per injection.

Community protocols describe swirling gently — not shaking — then refrigerating at 2–8°C. Most community sources cite a 28-day post-reconstitution window. For step-by-step instructions, see the CJC-1295 Reconstitution Guide.

The reconstitution math above reflects community-documented protocols, not instructions from this site.

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Where These Numbers Come From

GHRH + GHRP synergy: Bowers et al. demonstrated that combined GHRH + GHRP-6 produced GH peaks 2-3x higher than either alone (1991). The synergistic mechanism is identical for ipamorelin -- both act through GHSR-1a.

CJC-1295 pharmacology: Human studies confirmed dose-dependent IGF-1 increases of 35-120%, sustained over the dosing period (Teichman et al., 2006).

Ipamorelin selectivity: Human pharmacology confirms selective GH release without cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH elevation at therapeutic doses (Raun et al., 1998). This is why ipamorelin is preferred over GHRP-2 or GHRP-6 for most users.

Sleep architecture: GHRH administration enhances slow-wave sleep duration in both young and elderly subjects (Steiger et al., 1992), supporting the PM dosing strategy.

Body composition: Tesamorelin (FDA-approved GHRH analog) shows significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue (Falutz et al., 2007), supporting that GHRH-axis stimulation improves body composition.

Stacking Protocols

Tesofensine is an investigational drug; see its separate dosing guide for research-context framing.

Side Effects & Safety

• Injection site reactions -- mild redness, itching (rotate sites)
• Water retention -- first 1-2 weeks, transient
• Tingling/numbness -- GH elevation effect; reduce dose if persistent
• Vivid dreams -- enhanced slow-wave sleep; most consider this positive
• Mild headache -- occasional, first week
• Elevated fasting glucose -- monitor monthly during extended protocols
• Joint stiffness -- at higher doses, from GH-mediated fluid retention
• No testosterone suppression reported — community sources describe no PCT as needed

mg to Units Conversion

On a standard 100-unit insulin syringe, each "unit" equals 0.01 mL (so 100 units = 1 mL). Because this is a pre-mixed blend, a single draw delivers all components together in fixed ratio. The CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are present at the same concentration, so each draw delivers an equal dose of both.

Reconstitution A: 5 mg/5 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water (2,500 mcg/mL each) — the standard dilution from the Quick Reference above.

Reconstitution B: 5 mg/5 mg vial + 3 mL BAC water (1,667 mcg/mL each) — more BAC water for larger, easier-to-measure draws.

These conversions reflect the dilutions documented in community reconstitution protocols. They report how the math is described, not a recommended dosing schedule.