Growth hormone
A modified growth hormone-releasing hormone that boosts your body's natural GH pulses for better recovery, deeper sleep, and improved body composition.
Start here
CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Modified GRF 1-29, is a short-acting, lab-made version of GHRH, the hormone that signals the pituitary (the master hormone gland at the base of the brain) gland to release growth hormone. Because it clears within hours, it boosts the body's natural growth hormone pulses rather than keeping levels raised continuously. It has early human trial evidence (Phase 1-2) but is a research compound, not FDA approved.
Your brain naturally releases growth hormone in pulses throughout the day, especially during deep sleep 11 12. CJC-1295 without DAC is a modified version of the hormone (GHRH) that tells your pituitary (the master hormone gland at the base of the brain) gland to release GH. By mimicking this natural signal, it amplifies your body's own GH pulses rather than replacing them entirely 2. This keeps your hormonal feedback system working normally while boosting overall GH output.
CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF) is a lab-made copy of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), made of 29 amino acids. Four amino acid swaps (at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27) protect it from being chopped up by the enzyme DPP-IV, stretching its half-life (the time for half the drug to leave the body) from minutes to 30 minutes-2 hours 5 6. It binds GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells (growth-hormone-making cells) in the anterior pituitary (the front part of a gland at the base of the brain), switching on adenylyl cyclase (an enzyme) and raising cAMP (an internal messenger), which triggers GH (growth hormone) production and release 8. Unlike the DAC version, the no-DAC form produces short bursts of GH that mimic the body's natural pattern 7. When combined with a GHRP (a ghrelin (the hunger hormone) mimetic, a drug that copies the hunger hormone ghrelin), the two peptides work together through different receptors, producing GH release 3-5x greater than either alone. The short half-life means daily dosing, but it gives more precise control over when GH is released.
Evidence check
Some human studies
It has been tested in people, but only in small or early-stage studies. Promising, but not yet proven the way an approved medicine is.
Every numbered marker on this page links to one of the 20 sources at the bottom.
Growth hormone (GH) boost
Effectively stimulates natural GH release in pulsatile pattern, especially when combined with GHRPs
Sleep Quality
One of the most reliably noticed benefits, with deeper sleep and more refreshed mornings
Recovery Support
Enhances workout recovery and tissue repair through elevated GH and IGF-1 levels
The most-asked question
The research-reported range is 100 mcg, once daily. Studies used different doses for different situations — find yours:
First-time users, Sleep and recovery
100 mcg
A common starting dose used in research practice. Because the no-DAC form is short-acting (about 30 minute half-life (how long it stays active in your body)), it is injected on an empty stomach for the best growth-hormone pulse. 1415
Body composition, Recovery
100 mcg per dose
The typical maintenance dose used in practice, often given before bed and/or after fasted exercise. Frequently paired with a GH-releasing peptide.
Experienced users, Maximizing GH pulses
100 mcg per dose
A higher-frequency plan used by experienced users to mimic natural GH pulses across the day, each dose taken fasted.
The ceiling: 300 mcg per injection, up to 3 times daily
Reconstitution, in plain words
Peptides usually arrive as a freeze-dried powder in a small vial. “Reconstitution” just means adding sterile water back in so you can measure a dose. Here's how it works for CJC-1295 (No DAC):
2mg vial + 2mL BAC water = 1mg/mL (1000mcg/mL). This means each 0.1mL contains 100mcg.
For 100mcg dose at 1mg/mL concentration: draw 0.1mL (10 units on insulin syringe)
Three quick questions — your vial, your water, your dose — and it tells you the exact syringe mark. “Find dose amount” is preloaded with CJC-1295 (No DAC)'s recorded schedule.
Injection sites & technique
Injection into the fatty layer under the skin
Timing
Before bed on empty stomach (most popular), or morning fasted and pre-workout
Take on an empty stomach - wait at least 2 hours after eating and 30-60 minutes before eating
The honest list
These show up most often. They usually fade as your body adjusts.
Temporary redness, swelling, or mild pain at injection site
What to do Rotate injection sites, ensure proper technique, apply ice if needed
Brief feeling of warmth or facial flushing shortly after injection
What to do Usually resolves within 15-30 minutes, no treatment needed
Mild fluid retention, especially in first few weeks
What to do Usually temporary, reduce sodium intake if bothersome
GH stimulation can increase hunger
What to do Plan meals accordingly, can be beneficial for muscle-building goals
Worth knowing about, but most people never see these.
Paresthesias in hands or feet, similar to mild carpal tunnel
What to do Reduce dose if persistent, usually resolves with continued use
Occasional headaches, especially when starting
What to do Stay hydrated, usually resolves within first week
Rare, but if any of these happen, stop and contact a medical professional.
Rare hypersensitivity including hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing
What to do Discontinue immediately and seek medical attention
Week by week
Is it right for you?
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting or stopping peptide therapy. This information is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice.
May affect blood sugar control, monitor closely
GH can raise blood sugar - doses may need adjusting
May make CJC-1295 work less well
Generally safe but monitor thyroid levels
Works very well together - combining a GHRH (the brain signal that releases growth hormone) with a GHRP (a drug that also triggers it) boosts GH release 3-5x more than either alone
Works well together but may increase hunger more than the Ipamorelin combination
Effective combination with a moderate increase in hunger
Can be used together for enhanced healing and recovery
Does the same job - do not combine, as both are GHRH analogs (lab-made copies of the GHRH signal)
May boost GH release, safe to combine
May support GH release and sleep quality
Safe for bedtime dosing, may enhance sleep benefits
Eating carbs/sugar before injection blunts the GH response - avoid
Perfect for those wanting to boost their body's own GH production rather than using synthetic growth hormone. Mimics the natural pulsatile release pattern your pituitary (the master hormone gland at the base of the brain) uses 2.
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts use it to accelerate recovery between training sessions, support lean muscle development, and reduce body fat over time 17 18.
Because GH is naturally released during deep sleep, many users report dramatically improved sleep quality with more vivid dreams and feeling more refreshed upon waking 12 13.
As GH levels decline with age, CJC-1295 helps restore more youthful hormone patterns, potentially improving skin quality, energy levels, and overall well-being 16 17 20.
Designed to work hand-in-hand with GHRPs like Ipamorelin. When combined, these peptides amplify each other's effects for significantly greater GH release than either alone 9.
CJC-1295 without DAC itself has not been evaluated in controlled human clinical trials; expectations about its safety are extrapolated from studies of related GHRH analogs (modified versions of a natural molecule). The most common side effects are mild and include injection site reactions and temporary flushing 19. Because it stimulates natural GH release rather than providing exogenous (supplied from outside the body) GH, it maintains the body's feedback mechanisms 2.
Human studies at doses up to 90mcg/kg showed no serious adverse events 1. However, most research has been relatively short-term. Long-term safety data in humans is limited compared to FDA-approved medications.
Keeping it good
Store lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in freezer at -20C for long-term storage (years) or refrigerator at 2-8C for up to 12 months. Keep in original vial away from light and moisture.
Refrigerate immediately at 36-46F (2-8C). Never freeze reconstituted peptide. Keep vial upright and away from light. Use within 21-28 days.
Not our opinion — the published record
2006
A single injection raised GH levels 2-10 fold for 6+ days and IGF-1 levels (a growth signal made in the liver) 1.5-3 fold for 9-11 days. No serious adverse events were reported in healthy adults.
Teichman et al.
2006
CJC-1295 increased GH release while keeping the natural pulse pattern. Basal GH levels (the baseline between pulses) rose 7.5-fold and IGF-1 rose 45% one week after injection.
Ionescu M, Frohman LA
2006
Daily CJC-1295 treatment restored normal body weight, length, and body makeup (muscle and fat) in growth hormone-deficient mice, showing it can normalize GH-dependent growth.
Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A et al.
2009
CJC-1295 caused measurable changes in blood protein patterns, indicating activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis (the chain of signals from growth hormone to IGF-1), with possible biomarkers (measurable signs) of GH activity.
Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA et al.
1989
Human GHRH, including the 1-29 fragment, is rapidly cut in blood plasma between amino acids 2 and 3 by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV, which switches it off. Swapping in a D-amino acid (a mirror-image version) at position 1 or position 2 prevented that cut.
Frohman LA, Downs TR, Heimer EP, Felix AM
1994
Natural human GRF (another name for GHRH) is switched off in three ways: DPP-IV cutting between residues 2 and 3, chemical rearrangement at Asn8, and oxidation (damage by oxygen) at Met27. Analogues (lab-made copies) built with swaps at position 2 (to block DPP-IV), position 8 (to reduce rearrangement), position 15 (Ala15, which improves receptor binding) and position 27 (Leu27, to prevent oxidation) completely resisted DPP-IV cutting over 24 hours and were 11- to 13-fold more potent than natural GRF when injected into pigs.
Campbell RM, Stricker P, Miller R, Bongers J, Liu W, Lambros T, Ahmad M, Felix AM, Heimer EP
2005
Injecting the unconjugated (no albumin tag) four-swap hGRF(1-29) versions under the skin in rats produced a short burst of growth hormone in blood plasma. The albumin-binding version, CJC-1295, was still detectable in plasma beyond 72 hours.
Jette L, Leger R, Thibaudeau K, Benquet C, Robitaille M, Pellerin I, Paradis V, van Wyk P, Pham K, Bridon DP
1992
The GHRH receptor is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor (a receptor that passes through the cell membrane seven times). Its messenger RNA (the gene's working copy) is found mostly, if not only, in the anterior pituitary (the front part of a gland at the base of the brain). GHRH binds it tightly and stimulates production of intracellular cAMP (an internal messenger).
Mayo KE
1995
In healthy adults, growth hormone released over 120 minutes measured 484 ug/L per min after GHRH alone and 1435 after GHRP-6 alone, but 3772 when the two were given together. The combined response was significantly greater than the two given separately added together.
Popovic V, Damjanovic S, Micic D, Djurovic M, Dieguez C, Casanueva FF
If this isn't the right fit
Your questions
The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version attaches to albumin in your blood, extending its half-life (how long it stays active in your body) to 6-8 days for weekly dosing 1. The no-DAC version has a short half-life of 30 minutes to 2 hours, requiring daily dosing but producing more natural GH pulses. Most users prefer no-DAC for its more physiological release pattern and ability to fine-tune dosing.
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin work through different docking points on cells (receptors) 10, but both stimulate GH release. Together they create a synergistic effect that releases 3-5 times more GH than either peptide alone. Think of CJC-1295 as pressing the gas pedal while Ipamorelin releases the parking brake - together they're far more effective.
Food, especially carbohydrates, triggers insulin release. Insulin significantly blunts the GH response to CJC-1295 15. Taking it fasted (2+ hours after eating) ensures maximum GH release. This is why bedtime dosing is popular - most people haven't eaten for several hours before sleep.
Sleep improvements are often noticed within the first week. Enhanced recovery and energy typically appear by weeks 2-3. Visible body composition changes (less fat, more muscle) usually take 6-8 weeks of consistent use. Full benefits are typically seen by week 12.
Yes, they're the same peptide with different names. Modified GRF (1-29), Mod GRF 1-29, and CJC-1295 without DAC all refer to the tetrasubstituted 29-amino acid GHRH analog (a modified version of a natural molecule). 67 The naming can be confusing, but if you see these names, they're describing the same compound.
Many people use it for this purpose. Growth hormone naturally declines with age, and restoring more youthful GH patterns may support skin quality, energy levels, body composition, and overall vitality 16 17 20. However, it won't reverse aging - it may help you feel more energetic and recover better.
Many users follow 8-12 week cycles with 4-8 week breaks, though some use it continuously. Cycling may help keep your cells responsive (receptor sensitivity) and prevent tolerance. There's no definitive research on the best cycling plan, so consult a healthcare provider familiar with peptides.
20 sources
Every numbered marker on this page points to one of these. Same sources, same numbering as the CJC-1295 (No DAC) research profile on Peptide Initiative.
Want the deep science?
Every claim on this page traces back to the research database behind Peptide Initiative — studies, citations, clinical trial data, and the technical detail we deliberately left out here.
Open the research profileThis guide is education, not medical advice. CJC-1295 (No DAC) is a research compound that is not FDA-approved for human use. Talk to a clinician before taking anything.
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