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CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin33 residues (approx.)YDADIFTQSYRKVLAQLSARKLLQDILSRHFFKEach bubble = one amino acid. Size = residue mass. Color = chemical class.Uses closest standard amino acids for non-standard residues.Also known as: CJC/Ipa, CJC-1295/Ipamorelin, mod GRF 1-29 + Ipamorelin
Hundreds of threads on r/Peptides call this the cleanest growth hormone stack available without a prescription. CJC-1295 (No DAC) plus Ipamorelin is a pre-mixed blend hitting two separate pituitary receptors, GHRH and GHS-R1a, producing a synergistic GH pulse that neither achieves alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity is the draw: unlike GHRP-2 or GHRP-6, it won't spike cortisol, prolactin, or appetite (Raun et al. 1998)[1]. Sleep improvements typically appear within seven to ten days. No published RCT has tested this exact combination. The evidence base leans on individual-component clinical data combined with community experience across thousands of users.
Deeper sleep in under two weeks. That's the benefit users mention first, and it's the reason CJC-1295 plus Ipamorelin (also called CJC/Ipa or modified GRF 1-29 plus Ipamorelin) has become the default GH secretagogue stack for anti-aging and body recomposition protocols. The blend contains two peptides in a single vial. CJC-1295 without DAC is a 29-amino-acid GHRH analog. Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide ghrelin mimetic. Each component has its own Phase I/II data. Teichman et al. (2006)[2] showed a single CJC-1295 injection raised GH 2 to 10-fold and IGF-1 1.5 to 3-fold in healthy adults for up to nine days. Raun's group [1] confirmed Ipamorelin produces a selective GH pulse without raising cortisol, aldosterone, or prolactin. CJC-1295 sets the amplitude of the GH pulse through the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin triggers the release through GHS-R1a. Together, the resulting pulse exceeds what either produces independently. Community dosing has settled around 300/300 mcg (600 mcg total blend) subcutaneous before bed on an empty stomach. The standard cycle runs 12 to 16 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Hundreds of r/Peptides threads (roughly 95,000 members) report consistent improvements in sleep quality, recovery speed, skin texture, and gradual fat loss over three to four months. The limitation is straightforward: no published randomized controlled trial has studied this pre-mixed combination in humans. Combination benefit is mechanistically sound but clinically unquantified. All human GH-elevation data comes from each component tested separately.
Two receptors, one coordinated pulse. That is the core idea. CJC-1295 (No DAC) binds the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells. This activates Gs-coupled adenylyl cyclase, raises intracellular cAMP, and primes the cell for GH synthesis. Think of it as loading the spring. Ipamorelin binds a separate receptor: GHS-R1a. That activation runs through Gq/11 signaling. Intracellular calcium rises via IP3, directly triggering GH exocytosis. This pulls the trigger. When both pathways fire at the same time, the GH pulse is larger than either agent produces alone. GHRH sets amplitude; the ghrelin mimetic sets timing. Johansen et al. (1999)[3] mapped Ipamorelin's pharmacokinetics and confirmed rapid GH release with a tmax of 15 to 30 minutes. Ipamorelin's selectivity separates it from older GHRPs. GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 also bind GHS-R1a but drag cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH along with them. Ipamorelin does not at therapeutic doses (Raun et al. 1998)[1]. Downstream, the raised GH pulse stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production. IGF-1 drives anabolic effects in muscle, bone, and connective tissue. GH also activates hormone-sensitive lipase in adipocytes, promoting lipolysis. The combined release follows the body's natural pulsatile GH pattern rather than a sustained plateau, preserving negative feedback regulation through the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
CJC-1295 (No DAC) produces a strong, multi-hour GH pulse via GHRH receptor activation; Ipamorelin produces a clean, selective GH pulse via GHS-R1a without significant cortisol/prolactin elevation. Phase I/II data exist for each component independently. No published RCT has tested the combination as a co-administered blend. Synergy is mechanistically sound (GHRH + ghrelin receptor dual-pathway) but clinically unquantified.
Teichman et al. 2006 (PMID 16352683): single SC/IV injection of CJC-1295 alone elevated GH 2–10x and IGF-1 1.5–3x in healthy adults, sustained for 6–9 days. Raun et al. 1998 (PMID 9849822): Ipamorelin first selective GHS: GH pulse without cortisol, aldosterone, or prolactin elevation in rats and humans.
All human GH-elevation data is for individual components, not the pre-mixed blend. CJC-1295 studies used the With-DAC form (longer half-life); No DAC combination dosing extrapolated by community. No Phase III trial for either compound. No long-term (>6 month) safety data in humans.
Widely regarded as the best "clean" GH stack: high satisfaction for sleep quality, body recomposition, and recovery. Bedtime dosing on empty stomach is near-universal. Strong consensus on No DAC over DAC for daily-pulse protocols.
Science confirms GH/IGF-1 elevation for each component; synergy is mechanistically plausible but not RCT-tested for the combo. Community dosing (300/300 mcg) exceeds or differs from the individual component clinical trial doses (30–300 mcg), but falls within reasonable extrapolation. Main divergence: community uses daily No DAC pulses while the only long-duration human data used the DAC form.
| Level | Dose / Injection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 200mcg | Daily |
| Moderate | 300mcg | Daily |
| Aggressive | 400mcg | 2x Daily |
Standard vials come as 10 mg total (5 mg CJC-1295 No DAC plus 5 mg Ipamorelin). Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water. That gives you 5,000 mcg/mL total peptide concentration. At 200 mcg per dose: 0.04 mL = 4 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe. One vial lasts about 50 doses. At 400 mcg: 0.08 mL = 8 units. One vial gives roughly 25 doses. At 600 mcg: 0.12 mL = 12 units. One vial yields about 16 injections. Empty stomach is non-negotiable. Food within two hours raises somatostatin, which directly blunts the GH response. Wait at least 30 minutes after injecting before eating. The biggest beginner mistake: buying "CJC-1295" without confirming the No DAC version. The DAC form has a 6 to 8 day half-life and should only be dosed once or twice per week. Daily dosing of the DAC form creates continuous non-pulsatile GH elevation, defeating the purpose. Store reconstituted vials at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Use within 21 to 28 days. Cloudiness or particulates means something went wrong; don't inject.
Standard protocol is 12-16 weeks on, followed by 4 weeks off to maintain GHS-R1a receptor sensitivity. Some users run 5 days on / 2 days off within each cycle week. Dose before bed on an empty stomach (at least 2 hours fasted) to align with natural nocturnal GH pulsatility. Avoid eating for 30 minutes post-injection to prevent insulin-mediated blunting of GH release.
Ipamorelin (GHS-R1a agonist) is the primary desensitization driver. Continuous GHS-R1a stimulation leads to receptor downregulation and β-arrestin-mediated internalization, reducing the GH pulse magnitude over time. GHRP-2 desensitization data (Popovic et al.) showed 38% decline in peak GH from day 1 to day 5 with continuous dosing. The 5 days on / 2 days off sub-pattern partially mitigates this. The 4-week off period allows receptor re-sensitization. CJC-1295 No DAC (GHRHR agonist) also undergoes receptor desensitization with repeated stimulation but the process is slower.
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Expected: Improved sleep depth by week 2; mild fat loss and recovery improvement by weeks 6–8; body composition shifts by end of cycle
Monitor: Baseline and post-cycle IGF-1 recommended if running multiple cycles; fasting glucose monitoring if diabetic risk factors present
Gather supplies: reconstituted CJC/Ipa vial, 29 to 31 gauge insulin syringe (100-unit), alcohol swabs.
Draw air into the syringe equal to your dose volume, inject air into the vial, then draw your dose.
For 400 mcg: 8 units (0.08 mL). For 600 mcg: 12 units (0.12 mL). These numbers assume a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water (5,000 mcg/mL).
Choose your injection site: lower abdomen about two inches from the navel, or upper outer thigh. Clean the site with an alcohol swab.
Pinch a fold of skin, insert the needle at a 45 to 90 degree angle, and inject slowly. Release the skin fold after withdrawing.
Rotate injection sites each time to prevent lipodystrophy.
Timing: 30 minutes before sleep on an empty stomach (minimum 2 hours fasted). Don't eat for 30 minutes after injection. Optional second dose on training days, post-workout while still fasted.
Return the vial to the refrigerator immediately (2 to 8 degrees Celsius).
Reference route; all dosing guidelines apply
Lower abdomen or upper thigh preferred; 29–31 gauge insulin syringe; inject on empty stomach. Estimated SC bioavailability for CJC-1295 No DAC: ~60–70%; Ipamorelin: ~95% (from individual component data)
Absorption highly variable; no validated dose for the blend
Intranasal GHRP delivery has been studied for GHRP-2 in children (Pihoker 1997 PMID 9390009) but not for CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin. Not recommended: no reliable dose conversion available for the blend.
Most popular stack: GH secretagogue creates anabolic/repair environment while BPC-157 accelerates local tissue healing. Known as part of the "Wolverine Stack."
BPC-157 250–500 mcg SC near injury site (AM); CJC/Ipa blend (bedtime)
Systemic connective tissue and tendon repair complement. Combined with BPC-157 as the full Wolverine Stack for injury recovery.
TB-500 2–5 mg SC 2x/week (AM); CJC/Ipa blend (bedtime)
AOD-9604 (GH fragment 177–191) adds targeted lipolytic activity without the IGF-1 elevation of full GH; combined with CJC/Ipa for enhanced fat loss in body recomp protocols.
300 mcg AOD-9604 SC fasted AM; CJC/Ipa blend bedtime
Some users alternate cycles of Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29 analog) with CJC-1295 No DAC to preserve GHRH-receptor sensitivity over longer timeframes. Not typically co-administered.
Cycle sermorelin as a substitute GHRH rather than concurrent stack
Adding a second GHS-R1a agonist (GHRP-2) on top of Ipamorelin creates additive/synergistic GH release with increased cortisol, prolactin, and appetite stimulation; raises IGF-1 unpredictably. Not recommended without medical supervision.
Same receptor competition/addition concern as GHRP-2 plus significant hunger amplification. Unlikely to add meaningful benefit over ipamorelin already in the blend.
CJC-1295 DAC has a 6–8 day half-life and is not dosed daily: combining with the No DAC blend creates dosing schedule confusion and unpredictable GHRH receptor stimulation duration.
Do not combineMK-677 is a long-acting oral GHS-R1a agonist (t½ ~24h); stacking with Ipamorelin in this blend creates continuous receptor activation, negating the pulsatile GH release benefit and substantially elevating IGF-1 and cortisol. Common community mistake.
Pricing updated 2026-04-09
GH antagonizes insulin. That is the most important safety consideration with any GH secretagogue stack, and it deserves to lead this section. Raised fasting glucose, worsening insulin sensitivity, and rising HOMA-IR are real risks at higher doses and in users with pre-diabetic markers. If fasting glucose rises more than 20 mg/dL from baseline, reduce the dose or stop the cycle. Pre-diabetic users should monitor HbA1c across consecutive cycles. Water retention is the most common complaint in the first four weeks. Mild edema in the hands, wrists, and feet affects a large percentage of users. GH promotes sodium retention in the kidneys. Most cases resolve after the initial adaptation period. If edema persists beyond week four, reducing the dose by 25 to 50 percent and limiting injection to once-daily bedtime typically resolves it. Tingling and numbness in the fingers and hands reflect GH-mediated fluid shifts causing mild carpal tunnel compression. Community reports consistently describe this in the first month. At standard doses (200 to 400 mcg total blend), the effect is usually transient. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks after reducing the dose by half, stop the cycle. Carpal tunnel that won't resolve warrants medical evaluation. Facial flushing immediately after injection is common and benign. It typically lasts 5 to 15 minutes. Mild headache follows some users' early injections but rarely continues past the first week. Published human safety data exists for each component individually, not the pre-mixed blend. CJC-1295 has Phase I/II data in healthy adults (Teichman et al. 2006)[2]. Ipamorelin has pharmacokinetic and tolerability data from Johansen et al. (1999)[3] and Raun et al. (1998)[1]. No long-term safety study exceeding six months exists for either compound. Community-reported issues beyond the above include vivid dreams (common, generally considered positive), occasional lightheadedness post-injection, and frustration with slow timelines. Meaningful body composition changes take a minimum of four to six weeks. Cancer is an absolute contraindication. GH promotes cell proliferation. Active malignancy or a history of cancer rules out use. Active pituitary tumors and intracranial neoplasms also preclude use. Diabetes mellitus is a contraindication. GH antagonizes insulin action and will worsen glycemic control in uncontrolled diabetics. Diabetic retinopathy adds further risk because GH and IGF-1 may accelerate retinal neovascularization. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: absolute contraindication. No reproductive safety data exists for either component. GH accelerates T4-to-T3 conversion. If you have subclinical hypothyroidism or take thyroid medication, monitor thyroid function mid-cycle. When to stop: worsening fasting glucose, carpal tunnel persisting beyond two weeks at a reduced dose, edema unresponsive to dose reduction, or any new tumor diagnosis. When to see a doctor: IGF-1 above 400 ng/mL, glucose problems you can't resolve with dose changes, or any symptom that feels disproportionate.
Verify CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin dosing and safety with a second opinion
Pre-mixed blends add one layer of risk on top of single-peptide quality concerns: the CJC/Ipa ratio in the vial must be verified, and DAC vs. No DAC mislabeling is a documented problem in the research peptide market. Purity testing surveys find ~20–30% of peptide products from unverified vendors fail purity standards. FDA enforcement actions in 2024 targeted research peptide vendors marketing for human use.
| Test | When | Target |
|---|---|---|
| IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1) | Baseline before starting; at week 8–12; after each cycle | Age-adjusted normal range (typically 100–300 ng/mL depending on age); protocol target: upper-normal or slightly above for anti-aging; >400 ng/mL warrants dose reduction |
| Fasting glucose and fasting insulin | Baseline; monthly during cycle, especially at higher doses | Fasting glucose <100 mg/dL; HOMA-IR <2.0 |
| HbA1c | Baseline and end of each cycle if running multiple consecutive cycles | <5.7% |
| Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) | Baseline; mid-cycle if symptomatic (fatigue, cold intolerance) | — |
| Blood pressure | Baseline and monthly if stacking with anabolics or in hypertensive patients | — |
Primary downstream marker of GH axis activation; confirms biological response and detects supraphysiological elevation
GH antagonizes insulin signaling; chronic GH elevation can induce insulin resistance (GH-mediated glucose intolerance)
Detects cumulative insulin resistance effects not visible in single fasting glucose readings
GH accelerates T4-to-T3 conversion; may unmask subclinical hypothyroidism or require thyroid medication adjustment
GH-induced sodium retention can elevate blood pressure, particularly in susceptible individuals
Improved sleep quality and deeper REM cycles. Mild water retention possible as GH levels rise.
Faster recovery from training. Skin and hair quality begin to improve. Increased energy and mood stability.
Noticeable body composition changes: reduced abdominal fat, improved muscle tone. Joint and connective tissue recovery.
Full anti-aging benefits emerge: improved skin elasticity, sustained fat loss, enhanced exercise capacity.
Benefits plateau. Cycle off for 4 weeks to maintain receptor sensitivity before restarting.
Week 1 to 2, sleep and early adaptation. GH pulses begin rising within hours of the first injection (Teichman 2006 confirmed peak GH within two hours of a single dose). Most users notice deeper sleep and vivid dreams within seven to ten days. Mild water retention and facial flushing after injection are common. IGF-1 starts climbing by day three to five with repeated dosing. Weeks 3 to 4, recovery picks up. Training recovery improves noticeably. Energy and mood stabilize. Skin texture starts changing. Water retention may peak around this point before beginning to resolve. GH-mediated fat oxidation has started, though body composition changes aren't visible yet. Months 2 to 3, body recomposition becomes visible. Abdominal fat reduces. Muscle fullness improves. Joints and connective tissue feel noticeably better. Libido often improves. Sustained IGF-1 elevation is driving protein synthesis and lipolysis at the same time. Months 3 to 4, peak benefits. Skin elasticity improves measurably. Hair and nail growth may pick up. Fat loss continues while lean mass holds. Side effects are typically minimal by this stage if the dose is well-calibrated. Month 5 and beyond, benefits plateau. GHS-R1a desensitization becomes the limiting factor with uninterrupted use. Four weeks off allows receptor re-sensitization. Community users consistently report the next cycle works just as well after a proper break. Fat loss gains are largely retained during the off period; water-based lean mass may recede temporarily.
GH pulses elevate within hours of first injection (Teichman 2006 showed peak GH within 2h); IGF-1 begins rising by day 3–5 with repeated dosing
Noticeably deeper sleep and vivid dreams are the most consistent early reports; mild water retention and bloating common
IGF-1 approaching new plateau; GH-mediated lipolysis initiated; protein synthesis upregulation beginning
Faster recovery between training sessions; improved energy and mood; skin texture beginning to improve; water retention may persist or start resolving
Sustained IGF-1 elevation drives muscle protein synthesis; GH-mediated lipolysis (hormone-sensitive lipase activation) produces measurable fat loss
Visible fat loss especially abdominal; improved muscle fullness; joint and connective tissue feel notably better; libido often improves
Maximum cumulative tissue response; anti-aging markers (skin elasticity, collagen synthesis) measurable
Body composition changes most visible; hair and nail growth may accelerate; sustained fat loss with preserved lean mass; anti-aging effects become apparent
GHS-R1a desensitization risk increases with uninterrupted use; 4-week off period allows receptor upregulation
Benefits plateau; some regression of water-based lean mass when off; fat loss gains largely retained; users report next cycle works comparably after 4-week break
Source: Ipamorelin t½ ~2h drives dosing frequency (Johansen et al. 1999 PMID 10496658); CJC-1295 No DAC t½ ~30 min
Loading the interactive decay curve.
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are not FDA-approved for any therapeutic use. Both are classified as research-only compounds in the United States. Research peptide vendors are required to label products "for research use only" and may not market them for human consumption. Licensed 503A compounding pharmacies can prepare CJC-1295 plus Ipamorelin with a valid prescription from a licensed provider. Telehealth clinics offering the blend typically operate through this pathway. Any vendor or clinic claiming "FDA approval" for this combination is making a false statement. Both peptides appear on the WADA Prohibited List under S2 (Peptide Hormones and Related Substances). Biomarker-based testing for GH secretagogue use (IGF-1 levels, GH isoform analysis) can detect exposure for weeks after the last injection. Athletes subject to drug testing should not use this compound. FDA enforcement actions in 2024 targeted research peptide vendors marketing products for human use. The regulatory environment around research peptides continues to shift. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptide compound.
Peptide Schedule Research TeamReviewed Apr 20266 Citations
