CJC-1295: The Complete Guide

For research and educational purposes only. Nothing in this guide constitutes medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new protocol. CJC-1295 is discussed here as a research compound and is not approved by Health Canada or the FDA for the research applications described in this guide.

Last updated: July 2026

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CJC-1295 is where most people’s introduction to growth hormone axis research actually begins, and it comes with a genuinely important fork in the road most casual guides gloss over: there are two versions of this compound, they work in meaningfully different ways, and confusing them isn’t a minor labeling issue — it changes what you’re actually researching.

Quick Facts

Class	Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog
Receptor target	GHRH receptor, anterior pituitary
Administration	Subcutaneous, bedtime fasted
Two distinct versions	Without DAC (short-acting, pulsatile) and with DAC (long-acting, sustained)
Typical effective range (community-reported, no-DAC)	100mcg–300mcg once daily
Evidence tier	Real Phase 1/2 human pharmacokinetic data — for a different formulation and indication than most current research use
Regulatory status	Not approved anywhere; removed from FDA Category 2 in April 2026 but not placed in Category 1, pending PCAC review

The Story So Far

CJC-1295 was developed by a Canadian biotechnology company, ConjuChem Inc., in the early-to-mid 2000s, built around a specific engineering problem: natural growth hormone-releasing hormone breaks down in the bloodstream within minutes, which makes it impractical as a therapeutic. ConjuChem’s solution was to modify the first 29 amino acids of GHRH — the minimal sequence needed for full receptor activity — and attach a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC), a chemical linker that binds covalently to albumin, a protein that circulates abundantly in blood. That albumin binding is what gives the “with DAC” version its defining characteristic: instead of being cleared in minutes, it remains active for six to eight days.

The compound reached Phase 2 clinical trials for HIV-associated lipodystrophy — the muscle wasting and fat redistribution that can accompany HIV treatment — a genuine, serious clinical indication being tested in real patients. Development was ultimately discontinued, and by most accounts this was a commercial decision rather than a failure of the drug to work: bringing any compound through full FDA approval costs well over a billion dollars, and the patent and competitive landscape around modified GHRH analogs made further investment unattractive to continue pursuing. From the mid-2010s onward, CJC-1295 shifted into the research-chemical and, for a time, compounding-pharmacy market that most readers of this guide are actually familiar with.

The regulatory picture has moved in stages since. In late 2023, the FDA placed CJC-1295 into Category 2 of its compounding substances list — a designation citing safety concerns that specifically included potential cardiac adverse events identified in available safety data, alongside FDA documentation referencing findings of DNA damage in pituitary cells in nonclinical studies. That’s a more specific, named safety signal than the general “insufficient data” rationale cited for several other compounds in this guide series. In April 2026, CJC-1295 was removed from Category 2 as part of the same broader reclassification wave affecting BPC-157, TB-500, and others — but, notably, it was not placed into Category 1 the way some other peptides were recommended for. It currently sits in an unclassified gap, pending review by the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee scheduled for July 2026. CJC-1295 was also one of the specific compounds named in Health Canada’s April 2026 advisory on unauthorized injectable peptides.

The Two Versions — And Why the Distinction Actually Matters

This is the single most important thing to understand before researching this compound, and it’s worth stating plainly: CJC-1295 without DAC and CJC-1295 with DAC are not the same research tool used at different doses. They produce fundamentally different physiological patterns.

CJC-1295 without DAC — also called Mod GRF 1-29 — has a half-life of roughly 30 minutes. It produces a sharp, clean GH pulse and clears the system quickly, closely mimicking the body’s own natural GHRH signaling pattern. This is the version the overwhelming majority of current community researchers use, and the one most modern protocols and combination products (including the CJC & Ipamorelin blend covered elsewhere in this guide series) are built around.

CJC-1295 with DAC is the original ConjuChem formulation — the one that actually reached Phase 2 trials — with its extended six-to-eight-day half-life. Rather than a clean pulse, it produces a sustained, blunted elevation of GH that disrupts the pulsatile rhythm the GH axis relies on naturally. Community use of the DAC version has declined substantially as this distinction has become better understood, and it’s a meaningfully different research tool than the no-DAC version, not a stronger version of the same one.

If you’re evaluating a vendor’s CJC-1295 listing and it doesn’t specify which version you’re getting, that’s worth clarifying before you buy — the two aren’t interchangeable, and confusing them will produce a genuinely different physiological result than you may be expecting.

What It Actually Does

CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland’s somatotroph cells, triggering the release of growth hormone in pulses — amplifying the same basic pattern the body already uses naturally, rather than introducing something foreign. That released GH then signals the liver to produce IGF-1, which drives most of the downstream effects researchers are actually interested in: muscle repair, fat metabolism, recovery, and cellular regeneration.

A specific, non-obvious mechanistic detail worth understanding: the relationship between dose and effect isn’t linear the way you might expect. GHRH receptors on the pituitary have a saturation point — once there’s enough CJC-1295 present to activate them, the size of the resulting GH pulse is determined more by how “ready” the pituitary’s somatotroph cells are than by how much additional compound is present. Think of it less as a dial that turns up proportionally with dose, and more as a trigger that fires once a threshold is crossed. This is part of why combining CJC-1295 with a compound like Ipamorelin — which fires through an entirely separate receptor pathway — tends to be more productive than simply increasing the CJC-1295 dose on its own.

What the Research Shows

This is a case where real human clinical data exists, but it’s worth being precise about exactly what it covers — a similar situation to what shows up elsewhere in this guide series with TB-500.

The key human data point is a 2006 Phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled trial by Teichman and colleagues, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. It studied CJC-1295 with DAC specifically, at doses of 1 to 30 mcg/kg. A single subcutaneous dose produced dose-dependent GH elevations of two- to ten-fold above baseline, with sustained IGF-1 elevations of 1.5- to 3-fold, lasting nine to eleven days after just one administration — a genuinely striking pharmacokinetic result, and clear evidence the underlying mechanism works as intended.

Here’s the distinction worth holding onto: that trial studied the long-acting DAC formulation, at a single dose, for its own sustained pharmacokinetic profile. It doesn’t directly describe what happens with the no-DAC version most current researchers actually use, administered daily, for the pulsatile pattern that version is specifically valued for. The mechanism (GHRH receptor activation) is the same underlying biology, but the clinical trial data most directly available doesn’t map onto the most common current use case as neatly as it might first appear.

Beyond that Phase 1 data, the evidence for CJC-1295 without DAC specifically is community-observational rather than clinical-trial-based — consistent reports of improved body composition, sleep quality, and recovery, but not the kind of controlled trial evidence the DAC formulation’s own pharmacokinetic study provides.

How It Compares

CJC-1295 sits alongside Ipamorelin and Tesamorelin in the growth hormone axis category. (Full guides for both are part of this series.) Here’s how the three compare:

	CJC-1295 (no DAC)	Ipamorelin	Tesamorelin
Receptor target	GHRH receptor	GHSR (ghrelin) receptor	GHRH receptor
Half-life	~30 minutes	Short-acting, pulsatile	~30–40 minutes
Human trial history	Phase 1 PK data (DAC version); no completed trials for no-DAC	One completed Phase 2 RCT — for gut motility, not GH-related outcomes; failed primary endpoint	Full Phase 3 program; FDA-approved
Regulatory status	Not approved; FDA compounding status in flux	Not approved; FDA compounding status in flux	FDA-approved (Egrifta), for HIV lipodystrophy
Typical role	GHRH-side of the most common GH-axis combination	GHSR-side of the most common GH-axis combination	More targeted, evidence-backed alternative for visceral fat specifically

The honest positioning: Tesamorelin is the only compound in this trio with genuine FDA approval and a completed Phase 3 program behind it, which makes it the most evidence-mature choice if formal clinical backing matters most to you. CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are both compounds with real pharmaceutical development histories that were ultimately discontinued before reaching approval — not because they were shown to be unsafe, but for a mix of commercial reasons (CJC-1295) and a failed trial in an indication that wasn’t even their primary proposed use case (Ipamorelin, tested for gut motility rather than GH-related outcomes). Community use of CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin together remains far more common than Tesamorelin-based protocols, largely due to cost and availability rather than a claim that the evidence favors them.

Who Shouldn’t Use This

CJC-1295 has no approved label, so there’s no official FDA contraindications list. Based on the available safety literature and the specific concerns that led to its 2023 Category 2 classification:

• Personal or family history of cancer or active malignancy. This is the same theoretical concern that applies across GH-stimulating compounds generally — elevated IGF-1 signaling that supports muscle repair could theoretically also support existing malignancies. Given the specific pituitary-cell DNA damage finding referenced in FDA documentation for this compound, this caution deserves to be taken seriously rather than treated as generic boilerplate.
• Known cardiac conditions. The cardiac adverse event signal specifically cited in CJC-1295’s 2023 FDA classification is a genuine, named concern for this compound, not a class-wide generality — anyone with existing cardiac issues should approach this compound with real caution and medical guidance.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding. No human safety data exists in this context.

Beyond these, no established absolute contraindications exist in the published literature at community research ranges — though it’s worth being clear that this reflects thin data on the no-DAC version specifically, not a confirmed absence of risk.

Common Myths, Addressed

“CJC-1295 with DAC is just a stronger version of the no-DAC version.” Not accurately — they produce genuinely different physiological patterns (sustained blunted elevation versus a clean natural pulse), not the same effect at different intensities. This is a meaningful distinction, not a technicality.

“Since this compound has real Phase 1/2 human data, its safety in current use is well established.” The Phase 1 data that exists studied the DAC formulation, at a single dose, for its pharmacokinetic profile — not the no-DAC version most researchers currently use, administered repeatedly, for the pulsatile GH pattern that version is valued for. Real human data exists, but it doesn’t map onto current community use as directly as it might seem.

“GH secretagogues are risk-free since they just boost your body’s own hormone.” The FDA’s 2023 Category 2 classification for CJC-1295 specifically cited cardiac safety signals and preclinical DNA damage findings — this isn’t a compound with a clean, undisputed safety record, even though the underlying idea (amplifying an endogenous signal rather than introducing something foreign) is generally considered a safety advantage relative to synthetic hormone replacement.

What Researchers Are Actually Experiencing

Community-reported experience for the no-DAC version is extensive and fairly consistent, given how widely this compound is used.

Timing and fasting come up constantly in community discussion, and for good reason — insulin suppresses the GH axis, so administering CJC-1295 shortly after eating works against the compound’s ability to produce a meaningful pulse. Most researchers report injecting at bedtime after two to three hours without food, aligning with the body’s natural GH release during deep sleep.

A full-body warmth or flush in the minutes following administration is one of the most consistently reported effects, associated with the acute GH pulse.

Vivid dreams are frequently reported, consistent with the amplified GH release occurring during sleep. Water retention and mild joint discomfort are also commonly mentioned, particularly in the first few weeks.

This section reflects patterns commonly discussed across community research spaces. It’s observational rather than clinical trial data, and individual experience varies.

The Practical Basics

Research Ranges (No-DAC)

Protocol	Research Range	Timing
Standard, once daily	100–300mcg	Bedtime, fasted 2–3 hours
Stacked with Ipamorelin	100–300mcg CJC + 100–300mcg Ipa	Same injection, same timing

100mcg is the established community starting point, with many researchers running 200–300mcg as they progress. Because of the roughly 30-minute half-life, each injection functions as an independent pulse rather than compounding with prior doses — this is why once-daily or five-times-weekly protocols are standard, rather than less frequent dosing.

Research Ranges (With DAC)

Protocol	Research Range	Frequency
Standard	1–2mg	Once weekly
Conservative	500mcg–1mg	Once weekly

Dosed in milligrams rather than micrograms, given the extended half-life and once-weekly schedule. Given the declining community use and the distinct physiological pattern discussed above, most current research activity in this category centers on the no-DAC version.

Worked Dose Math (No-DAC)

At 2.5mg/mL (a 5mg vial reconstituted with 2mL BAC water):

• 100mcg (0.1mg) → 0.04mL → 4 units
• 250mcg (0.25mg) → 0.1mL → 10 units
• 300mcg (0.3mg) → 0.12mL → 12 units

The underlying rule: volume (mL) = dose (mg) ÷ concentration (mg/mL), then ×100 for units on a U-100 syringe. Research ranges here are in micrograms — convert to milligrams before applying the formula.

Vial Planning

A 5mg vial at 2.5mg/mL gives you 5mg total. At a steady 250mcg/day, that’s 20 days per vial.

Reconstitution and Storage — The Short Version

CJC-1295 reconstitutes with standard BAC water, refrigerates at 2–8°C, and should be used within 28 days. For the complete process, see our dedicated reconstitution and storage guide.

Sourcing

Confirming which version (with or without DAC) you’re actually purchasing is the single most important sourcing check specific to this compound — beyond that, see our full guide on reading a Certificate of Analysis and vetting a vendor.

Administration

Subcutaneous injection, once daily, bedtime, fasted 2–3 hours. Some researchers use a five-times-weekly schedule instead. No significant injection site preference.

Best Practices

• Confirm which version you’re buying before you order — this is the single highest-leverage check for this specific compound.
• Protect your fasting window. A 2–3 hour fast before injection isn’t a minor suggestion here — it’s directly tied to how much of an effect the compound can actually produce.
• Track your protocol from day one — dose, timing, fasting duration, and observed effects, at minimum.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying “CJC-1295” without confirming which version — the two aren’t interchangeable, and this is the most consequential and most common point of confusion with this compound.
• Injecting without an adequate fast, which directly undermines the mechanism this compound depends on.
• Assuming more compound means more effect beyond the pituitary’s saturation point — this is a trigger, not a dial, and stacking with Ipamorelin is generally more productive than simply increasing dose.
• Not recording the reconstitution volume, turning every dose calculation into a guess.

What Happens If You Stop

There’s no dedicated discontinuation research for CJC-1295. Because it works by amplifying the body’s own pulsatile GH release rather than replacing GH directly, there’s no clear mechanistic reason to expect a withdrawal-style rebound the way there might be with an exogenous hormone — but any downstream effects on body composition, recovery, or sleep quality would reasonably be expected to fade as GH and IGF-1 levels return toward baseline once administration stops. This is a reasonable inference from the mechanism, not a documented finding.

What to Expect, Week by Week

• Days 1–7: Some researchers report the flush and improved sleep quality within the first few administrations; others need several sessions before noticing consistent effects.
• Weeks 2–4: Community reports of recovery and sleep improvements tend to consolidate in this window.
• Weeks 4–8+: Body composition changes, where reported, are generally described as gradual rather than early and dramatic, consistent with the indirect, IGF-1-mediated nature of the mechanism.

Individual timelines vary substantially, and this pattern comes primarily from community report rather than trial data specific to the no-DAC version.

Combining With Other Compounds

CJC-1295 is most frequently paired with Ipamorelin — the two activate separate receptor pathways (GHRH and GHSR respectively) that converge on the same pituitary cells, producing a GH pulse substantially larger than either compound alone. This is common enough that a pre-blended CJC & Ipamorelin product exists specifically for this combination, covered elsewhere in this guide series.

Common Questions

Which version should I actually be researching — with or without DAC? The overwhelming majority of current community research uses the no-DAC version, for its cleaner, more natural pulsatile pattern. Confirm explicitly with any vendor which version you’re purchasing.

Is the 2006 human trial data actually relevant to how this compound is used today? Partially. It confirms the underlying GHRH-receptor mechanism works in humans and produces real GH and IGF-1 elevation, but it studied the DAC formulation at a single dose — not the no-DAC version’s repeated, pulsatile use pattern that’s most common today.

Why did the FDA specifically flag cardiac and pituitary cell concerns for this compound? FDA documentation from its 2023 Category 2 classification cited these as reasons for restricting compounding, based on available nonclinical and safety data. This is a more specific, named concern than the general “insufficient data” rationale applied to some other compounds.

Is CJC-1295 legal to buy in Canada? It’s sold as a research-use-only compound, but it was specifically named in Health Canada’s April 2026 advisory on unauthorized injectable peptides. See our full Canadian regulatory guide for what that does and doesn’t mean in practice.

Before You Start

A quick checklist to run through before your first dose:

• Confirmed which version (with or without DAC) you’re actually purchasing
• Considered whether you have a personal history of cancer or a cardiac condition, and sought medical guidance if so
• Planned your fasting window around your injection timing
• Have a tracking method ready for dose, timing, and observed effects
• Understand the human trial data available doesn’t map directly onto typical no-DAC community use

Want this as a printable checklist alongside our compound reference plate? Download both from the resources section.

Common Protocol at a Glance

Protocol	Dose	Frequency
Standard (no DAC)	100–300mcg	Once daily, bedtime fasted
With DAC (declining use)	1–2mg	Once weekly
Stacked with Ipamorelin	100–300mcg each	Once daily, same injection

Where to Go From Here

• The Growth Hormone Axis Group — CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, and Tesamorelin compared in full
• CJC & Ipamorelin — the pre-blended combination product
• Our Canadian Regulatory Landscape Guide
• Our Reconstitution and Storage Guide
• Our Certificate of Analysis and Vendor Verification Guide

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This guide reflects the evidence and community research patterns available as of publication and will be updated periodically as new research emerges. It is provided for research and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Aethon Labs does not intend for any compound discussed here to be used for human consumption.

AETHON LABS — Tested. Documented. Delivered.