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CJC-1295

aka DAC-GRF, CJC-1295 with DAC

A long-lasting version of the natural hormone that tells your pituitary to release growth hormone.

Technically · GHRH analog

growth hormonemuscle recoverysleep
DAC-GRF
The vial
CJC-1295 2D molecular structure
The moleculeCID 56841945

In one sentence

Tells the pituitary to release growth hormone all week from a single injection — Ipamorelin's long-acting partner.

Like setting your body's HGH thermostat higher and walking away. DAC version lasts ~8 days per shot.

Half-life

No-DAC: ~30 min. DAC: ~8 days.

The DAC version lasts ~8 days — one shot a week. No-DAC lasts 30 min — multiple shots a day.

Dosing

No-DAC: 1–3× daily. DAC: weekly.

How often you take a dose

Route

SubQ

How it goes into the body

Status

Research

Sold for lab research — not approved for humans

Education only. Many compounds discussed are research chemicals not approved for human use in the US. This is not medical advice — consult a licensed physician.

What it is

Your hypothalamus normally tells your pituitary "release growth hormone now" using a hormone called GHRH. CJC-1295 is a synthetic, longer-lasting copy of that signal. The "DAC" version sticks around for about 8 days — one shot a week is enough.

The full technical answer

Synthetic GHRH analog. The DAC (drug affinity complex) version has an extended half-life (~8 days) compared to the no-DAC version (~30 min).

How it works

Think of CJC-1295 as setting your body's growth-hormone thermostat slightly higher all week. It binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary, which keeps releasing natural pulses of GH on a steady background level — no forced spikes, just elevated baseline.

The full technical answer

Binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary, stimulating endogenous GH pulses.

ExtracellularInside the cellGHRH receptorReceptorpeptidedownstream signaling
Receptors hit: GHRH receptor. The peptide binds the receptor on the cell surface, triggering downstream signaling inside the cell.

What the research says

Phase 1 PK study (Teichman 2006) confirmed GH/IGF-1 elevation. Long-term outcome trials lacking.

Sources: CJC-1295 PK study

Common dosing ranges

Range
No-DAC: 100 mcg with each Ipamorelin dose. DAC: 1–2 mg weekly.
Frequency
No-DAC: 1–3× daily. DAC: weekly.
Duration
8–12 week cycles

Sources: PubMed

How to take it

Practical guidance synthesized from clinical protocols, FDA labels, and clinician interviews. Always cross-check with a prescribing physician.

Best time of day

No-DAC: before bed, fasted, paired with Ipamorelin. DAC: 1× per week, any day, time of day less critical due to long half-life.

With food or fasted

Fasted — at least 2 hours after last meal. Insulin blunts the GH pulse.

How long to cycle

8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Stack with Ipamorelin for full GH-axis activation.

When to get off

Joint pain, water retention (puffy face, ring tightness), rising fasting glucose → cycle off immediately. Long-term continuous use shuts down natural GHRH production.

Administration

SubQ

Side effects

Common

  • Injection site reaction
  • Flushing
  • Tingling

Serious / theoretical

  • Theoretical risks of chronic GH/IGF-1 elevation

Sources: PubMed

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