Section 01
What it's used for
Tested in healthy adults, not patients
This peptide has one human trial, but only in healthy adults; none included people with adult GH deficiency. It raised growth hormone and IGF-1 in a sustained, dose-dependent way for weeks. Use in GH-deficient patients is unstudied.
▸Clinical wording
CJC-1295 has been evaluated in a human clinical trial, but that trial enrolled healthy adults, not patients with adult growth hormone deficiency — no published trial in a GH-deficient population was found. In that trial, CJC-1295 produced sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1 that persisted over weeks, consistent with a long-acting, weekly-dosing profile. Whether it works as an alternative to daily GH injections specifically for GH-deficient patients has not been studied.
No human data on body composition
A human trial found it raised growth hormone and IGF-1 roughly 1.5- to 3-fold above baseline, but measured only hormone levels and safety, not body composition. Claims of more lean mass and less organ fat come only from a mouse study.
▸Clinical wording
A clinical trial in healthy adults found that CJC-1295 produced sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1, with IGF-1 rising roughly 1.5- to 3-fold above baseline, but that trial measured only GH/IGF-1 pharmacokinetics and safety, not body composition. No published human study has measured CJC-1295's effects on lean mass or fat mass. The only related body-composition data come from a preclinical GHRH-knockout mouse study, not from studies in healthy adults, so claims of increased lean mass and decreased visceral adiposity in people are not supported.
Studied for age-related GH decline
This peptide is studied for somatopause, the age-related decline in growth hormone. By boosting the body's own hormone pulses instead of replacing it, researchers think it may restore a more natural pattern than standard hormone injections.
▸Clinical wording
CJC-1295 research addresses somatopause — the progressive decline in GH secretion with aging. By amplifying endogenous GH pulses rather than replacing GH directly, it may restore more physiological GH dynamics compared to exogenous GH replacement.
Studied for sleep and recovery
Growth hormone release is closely tied to deep, slow-wave sleep. Research on this peptide shows increased nighttime growth hormone release, linked to better sleep-quality scores, with possible use in recovery after exercise being explored.
▸Clinical wording
GH pulses are closely linked to slow-wave sleep. CJC-1295 research shows enhanced nocturnal GH secretion patterns and improvements in sleep quality metrics, with potential applications in recovery optimization.
Bone claims not backed by studies
Vendor and community material discusses bone effects from general growth-hormone biology, but no animal or human study measured bone density or turnover. Related mouse data show only normal bone length, not density or strength.
▸Clinical wording
Effects of CJC-1295 on bone are discussed in vendor and community material based on the general biology of GH/IGF-1 signaling, but no published study, clinical or preclinical, was found that measured bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, or osteoblast activity with CJC-1295. The only related preclinical data, from a GHRH-knockout mouse model, report normal femur and tibia length under CJC-1295 treatment, not bone density or turnover outcomes. Claims of increased bone mineral density and improved bone turnover markers are not supported by the literature.
Section 02
Mechanism of Action
Triggering the pituitary's growth hormone release
- The peptide activates the receptor for the body's own growth-hormone-releasing hormone on pituitary cells.
- That raises an internal messenger (cAMP) which triggers release of stored growth hormone.
- It also increases reading of the growth hormone gene itself.
▸Clinical wording
GHRH Receptor Activation
CJC-1295 binds to and activates the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R), a class B G-protein coupled receptor on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells. Receptor activation stimulates Gαs-coupled adenylyl cyclase, increasing intracellular cAMP levels and activating PKA. This drives both immediate GH release from stored granules and transcriptional upregulation of GH gene expression.
Bigger, longer hormone pulses
- Bound to blood albumin, the peptide occupies its receptors continuously rather than in one burst.
- Baseline growth hormone stays raised and pulse height increases two- to tenfold.
- Each pulse lasts longer while the low periods between pulses are preserved.
▸Clinical wording
Sustained GH Pulse Amplification
Unlike bolus GH secretagogues, CJC-1295 DAC produces sustained elevation of baseline GH levels with amplified pulsatile secretion. The albumin-bound peptide continuously occupies GHRH receptors, increasing GH pulse amplitude by 2-10 fold and extending the duration of each pulse without eliminating the trough periods essential for receptor sensitivity.
Knock-on rise in a growth messenger
- Sustained growth hormone drives the liver to make more of a growth messenger (IGF-1).
- Circulating levels of that messenger rise roughly 1.5 to 3 times.
- The prolonged rise carries many of the anabolic and metabolic effects in muscle and bone.
▸Clinical wording
IGF-1 Axis Stimulation
The sustained GH elevation produced by CJC-1295 drives consistent hepatic IGF-1 production, raising circulating IGF-1 levels by 1.5-3 fold. This prolonged IGF-1 elevation mediates many of the peptide's anabolic and metabolic effects through IGF-1 receptor signaling in muscle, bone, and other tissues.
Two release routes that add up
- This peptide and ghrelin-mimicking peptides hit the same pituitary cells by complementary routes.
- One route drives hormone synthesis and slow release, the other drives rapid release.
- Together they produce growth hormone responses three to five times either agent alone.
▸Clinical wording
Synergy with Ghrelin Mimetics
CJC-1295 and GH secretagogues (ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6) activate complementary signaling pathways on somatotrophs. GHRH activates cAMP/PKA (synthesis and slow release), while ghrelin mimetics activate PLC/IP3/calcium (rapid release). Combined activation produces GH responses 3-5 fold greater than either agent alone.
The body's brake stays connected
- Unlike injected growth hormone, this peptide leaves the body's natural brake hormone working.
- That feedback prevents excessive and unphysiological growth hormone levels.
- The result is described as a more physiological hormone profile.
▸Clinical wording
Somatostatin Sensitivity Preservation
Unlike exogenous GH administration, CJC-1295 preserves somatostatin feedback regulation, preventing excessive and unphysiological GH elevations. This negative feedback mechanism contributes to a more physiological GH profile.
Section 03
Biological Pathways
- cAMP/PKA/CREB SignalingGαs-mediated cAMP accumulation activates PKA, which phosphorylates CREB to drive GH gene (GH1) transcription and Pit-1 expression, and promotes somatotroph cell survival and proliferation.
- GH/JAK2/STAT5 AxisReleased GH activates JAK2/STAT5b signaling in hepatocytes, the primary driver of IGF-1 gene transcription; STAT5b regulates sex-specific liver gene expression, influencing drug metabolism and body composition.
- IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR CascadeIGF-1 activates its receptor tyrosine kinase to engage PI3K/Akt/mTOR, the master pathway for protein synthesis and cell growth; mTOR activation of p70S6K and 4E-BP1 drives muscle protein accretion.
- GH-Mediated LipolysisGH activates JAK2-dependent pathways in adipocytes, activating hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), promoting lipolysis and fat mass reduction independent of IGF-1.
Section 04
Dosage Information
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-DAC| Route / system | Context | Range studied | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcutaneous — phase 1 | Phase 1 in healthy adults — the only finished trials | Single doses of 30–90 µg/kg — 2.1–8.1 mg at 70–90 kg. One shot raised growth hormone 2–10-fold for 6 days or more, IGF-1 for 9–11 days | Hormone levels in healthy volunteers, not any clinical result, over 28–49 days; only 30 and 60 µg/kg were called well tolerated. |
| Subcutaneous — phase 2, halted | Phase 2 in belly fat with HIV, stopped in 2006 | Weekly shots raised in three weeks to 120 or 240 µg/kg, then nine weeks more — 8.4–21.6 mg a shot at 70–90 kg; 192 people, 12 weeks | Stopped after a participant died; the investigator blamed existing heart disease. It was never finished, published or resumed: no dose and no effect settled. |
| Subcutaneous — self-administration | Self-administration outside any trial | 1–2 mg once a week, sometimes split in two — about 11–29 µg/kg a week at 70–90 kg, two to five times below the lowest phase 2 dose | Practice, not a finding: no trial tested this schedule. With a 5.8–8.1 day half-life weekly shots pile up, and nothing ran long enough to see where IGF-1 lands. |
| Subcutaneous — vials without DAC | Vials sold as "CJC-1295" that contain no DAC | 100–300 µg per injection, one to three times a day — the schedule for mod GRF 1-29, a different peptide that acts for minutes, not days | Both are sold under one name, so the same microgram figure can mean a week of steady exposure or a half-hour pulse. The rows above are the DAC form only. |
Results
Syringe Fill Level (100u syringe)
Set positive values for: Recommended dose per kg.
Research Use Only. This information is for educational and research purposes only. Not intended for medical advice or self-medication.
Section 05
Protocols
- Protocol 01
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Stack
The most popular GH secretagogue stack. Synergistic effects for fat loss, muscle gain, recovery, and anti-aging.
- Focus
- Sport & Performance
- Level
- Intermediate
- Duration
- 3–6 months
- Protocol 02
Comprehensive Longevity Stack
Multi-peptide anti-aging protocol combining telomerase activation, mitochondrial support, and GH optimization.
- Focus
- Anti-Aging
- Level
- Advanced
- Duration
- 3–6 months
Section 06
Stability & Storage
Lyophilised powder
CJC-1295 is supplied as a lyophilised white powder, kept at -20°C for long-term stability (12-24 months) or at 2-8°C for about 3-6 months. The DAC variant carries enhanced in-vivo stability through albumin conjugation. It is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water directed along the vial wall, then dissolved gently without vigorous shaking.
After reconstitution
The reconstituted solution is clear and colourless; it is kept at 2-8°C and used within 21 days. Amino acid substitutions in the sequence resist DPP-4 enzymatic degradation, which otherwise rapidly breaks down native GHRH. Combined with the DAC albumin-binding group, these changes give the reconstituted peptide much greater stability than the native hormone.
Section 07
Side Effects & Precautions
CJC-1295's reported effects include fluid retention and flushing, tied to its GH-stimulating and vasodilatory action, plus joint, nerve, and injection-site effects; the DAC form's long half-life also means effects cannot be quickly reversed if they occur.
Fluid retention and flushing
- Fluid retention (water retention, bloating) is common, especially early on; caused by GH-induced sodium retention in the kidneys, it lessens over 2-4 weeks.
- Facial flushing and warmth after injection are commonly reported, usually lasting 15-30 minutes, attributed to the peptide's vessel-widening (vasodilatory) properties.
Headache and nerve-related symptoms
- Mild to moderate headaches may occur, especially early in dosing; they are often linked to fluid shifts and typically ease with continued use.
- Tingling and numbness resembling carpal tunnel syndrome can occur with sustained GH elevation; this is dose-dependent and eases with a lower dose.
Joint pain
Mild joint pain (arthralgia) has been reported, attributed to GH-related effects on connective tissue hydration and growth. It is typically transient and dose-dependent.
Injection site reactions
Mild redness, itching, or hardness at injection sites can occur. The DAC formulation may cause slightly more injection-site reactions than other forms, due to its albumin-binding complex.
Risk from prolonged GH elevation
The long half-life of CJC-1295 DAC means its effects persist for days after a single injection. This is a disadvantage if adverse effects occur, since they cannot be quickly reversed.
Section 08
Regulatory Status
Its original developer, ConjuChem Biotechnologies, ran Phase 2 trials but stopped after a fatal cardiac event in a study subject — later attributed to a pre-existing condition rather than the drug — and development never reached Phase 3.
FDA / United States
Not approved
CJC-1295 has no approved label, indication or dose, and is classified as an investigational research compound.
FDA review
A committee recommended against listing
On 4 December 2024 the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted unanimously to keep CJC-1295 off the 503A bulks list, citing DNA damage in pituitary cells in animal studies, injection-site necrosis, the unresolved 2006 cardiac signal and immunogenicity risk.
WADA
Prohibited under S2.2.4
It is named alongside sermorelin and tesamorelin as a growth-hormone-releasing-factor analogue, banned at all times; mass spectrometry can detect it and its metabolites in biological samples.
Availability
Sold as a research chemical only
Suppliers list CJC-1295 for laboratory use; it is not approved or labelled for human administration.
A rejected compounding recommendation is not a formal ban outside sport, but it does confirm the FDA's safety concerns; regulatory status differs by jurisdiction and changes over time — check current documents before relying on any of this.
Section 09
Research Studies
- [1]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 analogJette L, Leger R, Thibaudeau K, Benquet C, Robitaille M, Pellerin I, Paradis V, van Wyk P, Pham K, Bridon DP · Endocrinology · 2005
- [2]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 adultsTeichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
- [3]Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analogIonescu M, Frohman LA · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
- [4]Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouseAlba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, Lawrence B, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA, Salvatori R · American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism · 2006
- [5]Structural basis for activation of the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptorZhou F, Zhang H, Cong Z, Zhao LH, Zhou Q, Mao C, Cheng X, Shen DD, Cai X, Ma C, Wang Y, Dai A, Zhou Y, Sun W, Zhao F, Zhao S, Jiang H, Jiang Y, Yang D, Xu HE, Zhang Y, Wang MW · Nature Communications · 2020
- [6]Molecular cloning and expression of a pituitary-specific receptor for growth hormone-releasing hormoneMayo KE · Molecular Endocrinology · 1992
- [7]Ghrelin and growth hormone (GH) secretagogues potentiate GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-induced cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production in cells expressing transfected GHRH and GH secretagogue receptorsCunha SR, Mayo KE · Endocrinology · 2002
- [8]Neuroendocrine Regulation of Growth Hormone SecretionSteyn FJ, Tolle V, Chen C, Epelbaum J · Comprehensive Physiology · 2016
- [9]Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-(1-29) twice daily reverses the decreased GH and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in old menCorpas E, Harman SM, Pineyro MA, Roberson R, Blackman MR · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 1992
- [10]Continuous subcutaneous infusions of growth hormone (GH) releasing hormone 1-44 for 14 days increase GH and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in old menCorpas E, Harman SM, Pineyro MA, Roberson R, Blackman MR · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 1993
Section 10
Frequently Asked Questions
The only completed human trial gave single doses to healthy adults, not people with growth hormone deficiency, and found sustained, dose-dependent rises in growth hormone and IGF-1, with IGF-1 climbing roughly 1.5- to 3-fold above baseline for over a week. Whether that translates into any clinical outcome — more muscle, less fat, better sleep — has never been measured in a published human study; the only related body-composition data come from a preclinical GHRH-knockout mouse. The hormone response is documented; downstream effects in people are not.
CJC-1295 activates the GHRH receptor's cAMP/PKA pathway on pituitary cells, while ipamorelin and similar ghrelin mimetics activate a separate calcium-signalling pathway on the same cells. In mechanistic studies, combining a GHRH analog with a ghrelin mimetic produced growth hormone responses 3 to 5 times larger than either compound alone. That receptor-level synergy, not a published human outcome trial of the combination, is the basis for pairing them.
Self-administration outside any trial runs around 1 to 2 mg once a week, sometimes split into two shots — well below the 8.4 to 21.6 mg weekly doses used in the halted phase 2 trial. No study has tested this lower, self-administered schedule; with a roughly 6 to 8 day half-life, weekly shots accumulate, and nothing has measured where IGF-1 settles at that dose over time.
Vials sold simply as "CJC-1295" are not always the same compound. The DAC form binds serum albumin and acts for 6 to 8 days per injection; vials without DAC are actually "mod GRF 1-29," a related peptide that acts for minutes and is typically dosed 100 to 300 µg one to three times a day. The same microgram figure can therefore mean a week of steady exposure or a brief pulse, depending on which molecule is in the vial.
Reported effects include water retention and bloating in the first two to four weeks, transient facial flushing after injection, mild headache, and carpal-tunnel-like tingling or numbness with sustained use — all attributed to growth hormone elevation and described as dose-dependent. Because CJC-1295 DAC has a multi-day half-life, an adverse effect that appears cannot be reversed as quickly as with a short-acting peptide.
CJC-1295 has not been approved by the FDA or any major regulator; the manufacturer's own phase 2 trial was discontinued after a participant died, an event attributed to pre-existing heart disease rather than the drug, and development never resumed. WADA prohibits it under category S2 (peptide hormones and growth factors) at all times, in and out of competition.
The lyophilised powder is kept at -20°C for 12 to 24 months, or at 2-8°C for about 3 to 6 months. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, the clear, colourless solution is stored at 2-8°C and used within 21 days.