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CJC-1295 (No DAC)29 residuesYDADIFTQSYRKVLAQLSARKLLQDILSREach bubble = one amino acid. Size = residue mass. Color = chemical class.Also known as: Mod GRF 1-29, Modified GRF(1-29), GRF(1-29) NH2 (modified)
Zero completed clinical trials for this specific compound, and it's still the most popular GHRH analog in the peptide community. CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is a short-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone analog with a half-life around 30 minutes. That short window matters. It triggers a GH pulse that rises and falls the way your pituitary does on its own, then clears. The 100 mcg dosing convention comes from receptor saturation modeling and community experience across 300 to 600 Reddit threads, not from a clinical trial. Nearly every protocol pairs it with Ipamorelin for a cleaner, stronger pulse.
The community figured this one out before the researchers did. CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Mod GRF 1-29 (parent GRF(1-29) CAS 83930-13-6), is a 29-amino-acid GHRH analog modified at four positions to resist enzymatic breakdown. Its closest human data comes from Frohman et al. (1992)[1], where hGRF(1-29) injected subcutaneously twice daily normalized GH and IGF-1 in older men. The mechanism is direct. Mod GRF 1-29 binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells, triggering a cAMP-driven GH release that peaks around 15 to 30 minutes and clears within the hour. That short action window is the entire point. Unlike the DAC version (which circulates for days and produces tonic GH elevation), the no-DAC form preserves your natural pulsatile rhythm. Real-world use centers on the Mod GRF + Ipamorelin stack. Community consensus across hundreds of r/Peptides threads and practitioner networks puts the standard protocol at 100 mcg of each, co-injected subcutaneously once or twice daily on a fasted stomach before bed. Users consistently report improved sleep within the first two weeks, faster recovery by week three, and visible body composition changes by month two. Vendor quality is a known problem; Finnrick Analytics found purity as low as 68.75% across 244 samples from 47 vendors. No FDA-approved form exists, and no Phase I, II, or III trial has been completed for Mod GRF 1-29 specifically.
Mod GRF 1-29 acts on one receptor, but the downstream cascade is worth understanding. The compound binds to the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells. This is a Gs protein-coupled receptor. Binding activates adenylyl cyclase, raises intracellular cAMP, and primes the cell for GH synthesis and exocytosis. The half-life (roughly 30 minutes subcutaneously, estimated from D-Ala2 analog pharmacokinetic data by Zarandi et al.)[2] limits receptor exposure to a brief window. That brevity produces a sharp GH spike that mimics the body's own pulsatile pattern; somatostatin feedback kicks in and shuts the pulse down naturally. When paired with Ipamorelin (a ghrelin mimetic acting on GHS-R1a), the two pathways converge on the same somatotroph cell from different directions. GHRH sets the amplitude. The ghrelin signal sets the timing. The result is a synergistic GH pulse larger than either compound alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity matters here. Unlike GHRP-2 or GHRP-6, it doesn't elevate cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin at standard doses. Downstream, the raised GH pulse drives hepatic IGF-1 production, lipolysis through hormone-sensitive lipase activation, and anabolic signaling in muscle and connective tissue.
No dedicated clinical trials exist for the no-DAC / Mod GRF 1-29 form. Mechanism confirmed via GHRH receptor binding analog studies. Human GRF(1-29) infusion data (1990s) confirms pulsatile GH release. The 100 mcg dosing convention and subcutaneous half-life (~30 min) are extrapolated from D-Ala2 analog PK studies and community experience, not from a Mod GRF 1-29-specific human trial. Academic research since 2020 has pivoted to higher-potency GHRH analogs; no new no-DAC-specific trial is in progress.
Frohman et al. 1992 (PMID 1379256): hGRF(1-29) 2× daily SC in older men normalized GH/IGF-1; closest proxy for no-DAC human dosing. Zarandi et al. 1994 (PMID 7962295): D-Ala2 analog PK (IV half-life ~6–7 min; SC ~30 min estimated).
Zero completed Phase I/II/III trials for the no-DAC form. Dosing entirely community-derived. Half-life estimate is extrapolated from IV D-Ala2 analog data: no SC PK study in humans for this specific compound. No long-term safety data.
Considered the gold-standard GHRH analog for pulsatile GH release when stacked with Ipamorelin. Preferred over CJC-1295 DAC for pulse control and avoided GH bleed. Multiple daily injections and strict fasting windows are the main friction points.
Science and community agree on GHRH receptor mechanism and pulsatile GH release rationale. Community 100 mcg dosing convention is plausible but not clinically validated for this specific compound: it derives from receptor saturation modeling and analog studies. Science has zero completed trials for the no-DAC form. Fasting requirement is mechanistically sound (insulin raises somatostatin). Cycling rationale is community-derived with no direct clinical confirmation of desensitization at these doses.
| Level | Dose / Injection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 100mcg | Daily |
| Moderate | 100mcg | 2x Daily |
| Aggressive | 200mcg | 2x Daily |
Mod GRF 1-29 needs to be co-injected with a GHRP to do much. Solo use rarely moves IGF-1 meaningfully; the community discourages it. Ipamorelin at 100 mcg co-injected is the standard pairing. Reconstitution math for common vial sizes. A 2 mg vial with 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives you 1,000 mcg/mL. A 100 mcg dose is 10 units on an insulin syringe (0.1 mL). A 5 mg vial with 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives you 2,500 mcg/mL. A 100 mcg dose is 4 units (0.04 mL); a 200 mcg dose is 8 units (0.08 mL). The fasting window is non-negotiable. Two hours minimum with no food before injection; 30 minutes after. Insulin raises somatostatin, which shuts down the GH pulse completely. This is the number-one troubleshooting issue when users report no IGF-1 movement after weeks on protocol. Check fasting compliance before blaming the vendor. Abdominal subcutaneous injection absorbs faster than thigh or flank. For a compound with a 30-minute active window, that speed matters.
Cycle to prevent pituitary desensitization. Some users run 5 days on, 2 days off weekly.
Chronic daily GHRH stimulation can shift somatostatin tone (the primary inhibitory counterbalance to GH release) and reduce pituitary somatotroph responsiveness over time. When stacked with Ipamorelin, GHS-R1a desensitization from the GHRP component adds a second desensitization mechanism. Community consensus and analog literature support 12-week on / 4-week off cycling. The short half-life (~30 min) means receptor exposure is only during the brief post-injection window, desensitization is slower than with the DAC form, but 16+ weeks of daily use without a break has produced reported diminishing returns in community experience.
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Expected: Improved sleep quality within 1–2 weeks; mild recovery improvement by weeks 3–4; modest body composition changes by months 2–3
Monitor: Baseline IGF-1 before starting; recheck at week 6 and week 12. Fasting glucose at baseline.
Pull your vial of lyophilized Mod GRF 1-29 from refrigeration (2 to 8 degrees C). Let it reach room temperature for a few minutes. Don't shake it.
For a 2 mg vial, add 2 mL (this gives 1,000 mcg/mL). For a 5 mg vial, add 2 mL (this gives 2,500 mcg/mL). Aim the stream against the glass wall of the vial. Let the powder dissolve; gentle swirling is fine.
For 100 mcg from a 2 mg/2 mL vial, draw to the 10-unit mark (0.1 mL). For 100 mcg from a 5 mg/2 mL vial, draw to the 4-unit mark (0.04 mL). For 200 mcg from a 5 mg/2 mL vial, draw to the 8-unit mark (0.08 mL).
If stacking with Ipamorelin (recommended), draw both peptides into the same syringe. Order doesn't matter for subcutaneous injection.
Pinch a fold of skin on the lower abdomen, about 2 inches from the navel. Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle. Inject slowly. Release the skin fold.
Timing: inject 30 to 60 minutes before bed on a fully fasted stomach (2 or more hours since last food). Don't eat for 30 minutes after injection. An optional second injection can be taken in the morning on waking (fasted) or post-workout (fasted).
Store the reconstituted vial at 2 to 8 degrees C and use within 3 to 4 weeks.
Primary and near-universal stack. GHRH (Mod GRF) + GHRP (Ipamorelin) activates dual pituitary pathways (GHRHR + GHS-R1a) for synergistic GH pulse. Ipamorelin selected for selectivity: no cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin elevation. Co-injected at same time.
100 mcg Mod GRF 1-29 + 100 mcg Ipamorelin SC, 1–2× daily, fasted
Pre-mixed 5mg/5mg blend combines both components into one injection. Functionally identical to separate dosing. Convenience-focused users prefer the blend.
200–300 mcg total (100–150 mcg each component) SC 1–2× daily, fasted
Alternate GHRP for stronger GH pulse in performance protocols. GHRP-2 produces a larger GH spike than Ipamorelin but with mild cortisol and prolactin co-elevation. Used when maximum GH output is the goal.
100 mcg Mod GRF 1-29 + 100 mcg GHRP-2 SC, 2–3× daily, fasted
Concurrent recovery stack (separate mechanism, not GH pathway). GH elevation from Mod GRF complements BPC-157 tissue repair signaling for injury recovery and connective tissue support.
Redundant GHRH pathway: both Mod GRF 1-29 and Sermorelin act on the same GHRHR receptor. No additive benefit demonstrated; simply competes at the same binding site. Choose one or the other.
Combining DAC and no-DAC forms creates overlapping GHRHR stimulation with mismatched half-lives. The DAC form provides sustained tonic GHRH exposure that defeats the pulsatile rationale of no-DAC. No documented benefit; increased receptor desensitization risk.
Combining GH secretagogues with exogenous HGH saturates the GH axis and suppresses endogenous pulsatility. Eliminates the primary rationale for using secretagogues (axis preservation). Dramatically increases IGF-1 overshoot risk.
Do not combinePricing updated 2026-04-09
The biggest safety concern with CJC-1295 (No DAC) is that zero completed clinical trials exist for this specific compound. Every side effect profile is extrapolated from analog studies and community experience. That context matters for everything below. Facial flushing is the most immediately noticeable effect. It typically hits within 5 to 15 minutes of injection, feels like a warm rush to the face and ears, and resolves within 30 to 60 minutes. This is a vasodilatory response from the GH pulse itself, not an allergic reaction. Community reports treat it as a sign the peptide is active. Reducing the dose lessens the intensity. Headache and dizziness occur in some users, usually during the first week. These tend to be transient and resolve as the body adjusts to regular GH pulses. Injection site redness and irritation are typical of any subcutaneous peptide; rotating sites prevents local tissue issues. Water retention is the side effect that gets the most community attention at higher dose frequencies. GH promotes sodium and water reabsorption. Mild puffiness around the hands and face is common, especially at twice-daily dosing. If retention becomes pronounced (visible edema, tight rings, swollen ankles), reduce frequency before reducing dose. Persistent edema warrants checking IGF-1 levels. Carpal tunnel symptoms (tingling, numbness in the hands, grip weakness) signal excessive GH-mediated fluid retention compressing the median nerve. This is a dose-dependent effect. Reduce dose immediately if it appears. If symptoms persist beyond one week at a lower dose, stop entirely and allow four or more weeks of recovery. GH release antagonizes insulin action. Anyone with diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance should monitor fasting glucose carefully. Teichman et al. (2006)[4] documented insulin sensitivity effects with the DAC form; the no-DAC form carries the same mechanistic risk at lower magnitude due to shorter exposure. GH promotes cell proliferation. Active cancer or a history of malignancy is a contraindication. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are absolute contraindications. Untreated hypothyroidism can blunt the GH response entirely and should be addressed before starting. Vendor quality adds an underappreciated risk layer. Finnrick Analytics tested 244 samples from 47 vendors and found purity ranging from 68.75% to 99.95%. Underdosed or degraded product produces unpredictable responses; the no-DAC form (MW approximately 3,367 Da) is sometimes substituted with the DAC form (MW approximately 5,885 Da) by low-quality vendors. When to see a doctor: carpal tunnel symptoms that don't resolve with dose reduction, persistent unexplained edema, fasting glucose above 125 mg/dL, or any new numbness or paresthesia.
Verify CJC-1295 (No DAC) dosing and safety with a second opinion
Finnrick Analytics tested 244 CJC-1295 samples from 47 vendors (Dec 2024–Mar 2026). Purity ranged from 68.75% (5th percentile) to 99.95% (95th percentile). Quantity accuracy diverges up to ±100% from label. Peptide Sciences, largest US vendor by revenue (~$7.4M/month), rated E (bad) by Finnrick before its March 2026 shutdown. SwissChems and Loti Labs rated E/F. No GMP requirement applies to "research use only" vendors. The no-DAC form (MW ~3.4 kDa) is frequently mislabeled or substituted with CJC-1295 DAC (MW ~5.9 kDa) by low-quality vendors.
| Test | When | Target |
|---|---|---|
| IGF-1 | Baseline before starting; repeat at week 6 and week 12 | Age-adjusted normal range (not supraphysiological). Flag if above upper limit of normal. |
| IGFBP-3 | Baseline; repeat at week 12 | Age-adjusted normal range |
| Fasting glucose | Baseline; repeat at week 6 and week 12 | <100 mg/dL (normal); 100–125 mg/dL warrants dose reduction and closer monitoring |
| Thyroid (TSH, fT3, fT4) | Baseline; repeat at week 12 if symptoms emerge | — |
Primary efficacy marker for GH axis activation. Confirms peptide quality and dosing adequacy. Detects over-response requiring dose reduction.
Low IGFBP-3 with elevated IGF-1 = elevated free IGF-1 → increased cancer signaling risk. IGF-1 alone is insufficient for safe GH axis monitoring.
GH release antagonizes insulin action. Relevant especially in pre-diabetic or insulin-resistant individuals.
GH accelerates T4-to-T3 conversion. Untreated hypothyroidism blunts GH response; GH supplementation can unmask subclinical hypothyroidism.
Improved sleep quality and more vivid dreams. Some users report mild water retention and occasional facial flushing after injection.
Noticeable improvements in recovery time between workouts. Skin hydration and texture begin to improve. Increased morning energy.
Body composition shifts become apparent: reduced abdominal fat and improved muscle tone. Joint and connective tissue comfort improves.
Full anti-aging and recovery benefits are established. Sustained fat loss, better exercise capacity, and improved skin elasticity.
Benefits plateau at this stage. Cycle off for 4 weeks to maintain pituitary receptor sensitivity before restarting protocol.
Week 1 to 2: Sleep changes come first. Most users report deeper sleep and more vivid dreams within the first week of consistent bedtime dosing. Mild facial flushing after injection is normal and resolves in under an hour. Some water retention appears early on. Weeks 3 to 6: Recovery speed improves. Muscle soreness between workouts decreases noticeably. Skin hydration gets better. IGF-1 should be measurably raised by week 4 if fasting compliance is strict and vendor quality is good. Energy tends to pick up through this stretch. Weeks 6 to 12: Body composition shifts become visible. Reduced abdominal fat and improved muscle fullness are the most commonly reported changes in this window. Skin elasticity improves. Joint comfort gets better. Some users plateau around week 10 to 12 as somatostatin tone accumulates and receptor sensitivity declines. Month 4 and beyond (off cycle): The compound clears within hours of the last injection; no GH bleed like the DAC form. Pituitary receptor sensitivity recovers within 2 to 4 weeks. Benefits are largely retained for 4 to 6 weeks post-cycle. Body composition regresses gradually over 6 to 8 weeks without the protocol. Most users restart after the standard 4-week off period.
GH pulse augmentation confirmed immediately in analog studies; IGF-1 elevation begins within days of consistent dosing.
Improved sleep quality and more vivid dreams are the first-reported effects. Some users note mild facial flushing post-injection and mild water retention.
IGF-1 should be measurably elevated by week 4 with consistent protocol. GH promotes anabolic signaling in connective tissue.
Faster workout recovery, reduced muscle soreness, improved skin hydration. Early lean tissue quality improvement noted. Energy generally improves.
GH/IGF-1 axis-mediated lipolysis and anabolic signaling produce measurable body composition changes over 8–12 weeks in GRF(1-29) infusion literature.
Visible reduction in abdominal fat, improved muscle fullness, better skin elasticity. Joint and connective tissue improvement. Some users plateau at week 10–12.
Short half-life (~30 min) means compound clears within hours of last injection. No prolonged GH bleed unlike CJC-1295 DAC. Pituitary receptor sensitivity should recover within 2–4 weeks off.
Benefits largely retained for 4–6 weeks post-cycle. Some regression in body composition over 6–8 weeks without protocol. Most users restart after the 4-week off period.
Source: CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) t½ ~30 min; rapid clearance drives need for multiple daily injections (Teichman et al. 2006 PMID 16352683)
Loading the interactive decay curve.
CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is sold as a research chemical in the United States. It has no FDA approval for any indication. The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) voted against listing CJC-1295 under Section 503A in December 2024, meaning it cannot be legally dispensed by US compounding pharmacies. An RFK-era reclassification was announced in February 2026, but no formal rule has been published. For athletes, both CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin appear on the WADA prohibited list under S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics). Biomarker-based testing (IGF-1 levels, GH isoforms) can flag secretagogue use for weeks after the last injection. Research peptide vendors sell it under "for research purposes only" labeling. No GMP manufacturing requirement applies. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptide.
Peptide Schedule Research TeamReviewed Apr 20267 Citations
