CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) originally developed by ConjuChem Technologies for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It exists in two forms: with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) for extended half-life of 5.8-8.1 days, and without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) for shorter, pulsatile release with a half-life of approximately 30 minutes. Two 2006 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials (Teichman et al.) demonstrated dose-dependent GH increases of 2-10 fold and IGF-1 increases of 1.5-3 fold in healthy adults aged 21-61. The No DAC version is generally considered the safer choice due to its physiological pulsatile pattern.
Category: Growth Hormone Secretagogue. Evidence rating: D (animal/preclinical only).
Clinical status: Research-only / Not approved for human use
CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotroph cells, activating intracellular cAMP signaling to stimulate both the transcription of the GH gene and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone, which in turn increases IGF-1 levels. The released IGF-1 travels to muscle tissue…
Research base: 0 registered clinical trials and 7 indexed publications reference CJC-1295.
Safety considerations: Common: transient flushing/"head rush" within 5-10 minutes post-injection — hallmark of a potent injection, harmless and brief; Self-reported: flu-like symptoms, headaches, irritability, anxiety, nausea, hives (mild and transient); Water retention and edema (dose-dependent; elevated GH causes sodium/water retention via kidneys).
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 2026-08-12.
Related peptides: Ipamorelin, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin.
Compare: CJC-1295 vs Ipamorelin, CJC-1295 vs Sermorelin, CJC-1295 vs Tesamorelin.
CJC-1295 DAC has a half-life of 5.8-8.1 days (Teichman et al., PMID: 16352683) due to covalent albumin binding via its maleimido group, creating constant GH elevation that is non-physiological and may cause receptor desensitization and insulin resistance. Mod GRF 1-29 (No DAC) has a half-life of ~30 minutes, mimicking natural pulsatile GH release and allowing receptor rest between spikes. For…
The widely-accepted saturation dose for Mod GRF 1-29 is 100 mcg per injection. Clinical data suggests pituitary receptors become fully saturated at this dose — taking 200-300 mcg in a single shot does not proportionally increase GH release. To increase effect, increase frequency (with 3-4 hours between doses) rather than dose size. Common protocol: single pre-bed injection for anti-aging, or…
ConjuChem was testing CJC-1295 DAC for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The trial was halted out of extreme caution after one patient death occurred (attending physician concluded it was not due to CJC-1295). The drug never received FDA approval, and the peptide community largely shifted to the safer short-acting Mod GRF 1-29 version as a result.
Yes. CJC-1295 is classified as a prohibited substance under Section S2 of WADA's Prohibited List (growth factors and related substances). Detection methods using LC-MS/MS can identify CJC-1295 at concentrations as low as 180 pg/mL in plasma (PMID: 30938069).
Teichman et al. conducted two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind ascending dose trials (28 and 49 days) in healthy subjects aged 21-61. After a single injection, GH increased 2-10 fold for 6+ days and IGF-1 increased 1.5-3 fold for 9-11 days. After multiple doses, IGF-1 remained above baseline for up to 28 days. No serious adverse reactions were reported (PMID: 16352683).