Side-by-side · Research reference
CardiogenvsCJC-1295 (no DAC)
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED5/46 cited
BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED15/51 cited
Cardiogen
Bioregulator · Cardiac
CardiacTissue target
Gene regulationMechanism
AnimalEvidence level
SQ · Variable protocols
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Cardiogen
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Pathway
Peptide bioregulation → modulation of SASP / inflammaging → cardiac tissue homeostasisKhavinson 2022
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
Downstream effect
Suppression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), reduction of age-related inflammatory markers, modulation of heat shock protein expression in cardiac tissue
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Feedback intact?
Presumed — peptide bioregulators act via gene regulation, not receptor agonism
Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006
Origin
Derived from cardiac tissue peptide extracts; synthetic analogue based on Khavinson bioregulator methodology
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Antibody development
—
Not reported in short-term studies
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Cardiogen
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Standard dose
Variable — typically 10–20 mg per course
No standardised human protocol; animal-derived dosing.
100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006
Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.
Frequency
Intermittent courses — 10–20 days, repeated periodically
Khavinson-school bioregulators typically dosed as periodic interventions, not continuous.
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
Evidence basis
Animal models / mechanistic studies
No Phase 1+ human trials in PubMed.
Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006Ionescu 2006
No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.
Route
Subcutaneous injection
—
Duration
10–20 day courses, repeated 2–4× per year
Russian geriatric protocols; unclear extrapolation to general populations.
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
Lower / starter dose
—
50 mcg per dose
Reconstitution
—
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
—
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
Half-life
—
~30 minIonescu 2006
Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Cardiogen
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Injection site reactions
Mild erythema, induration (presumed)
—
Systemic adverse events
No documented serious AEs in available literature
Very limited safety data; no rigorous pharmacovigilance.
—
Immunogenicity
Unknown — no antibody development studies published
—
Long-term safety
Unknown — no extended human trials indexed in PubMed
—
Injection site reaction
—
Erythema, mild pruritus
Flushing / headache
—
Common transient effect
Cortisol elevation
—
Minimal at standard doses
Prolactin elevation
—
Minimal
Glucose intolerance
—
Possible at high cumulative doses
IGF-1 elevation
—
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use
Cancer risk
—
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Pregnancy / OB
—
Avoid
Absolute Contraindications
Cardiogen
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical peptide growth factor concern)
- ·Hypersensitivity to peptide components
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
Cardiogen
- ·Acute cardiac events (no safety data in acute MI, unstable angina)
- ·Pregnancy / lactation (no reproductive toxicity data)
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Cardiogen
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
1. Reconstitution
Add sterile water or saline per manufacturer instructions (typically 1–2 mL per lyophilised vial). Roll gently to dissolve.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Use sterile technique.
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Variable — often evening injection. No established circadian preference.
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate 2–8 °C, protect from light. Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate, discard after 7–14 days per labeling.
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
5. Needle
27–30G insulin syringe, 45° angle for subcutaneous administration.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
Cardiogen
+ Thymalin
ModerateKhavinson-school multi-organ bioregulator approach: thymalin (thymic peptide) addresses immune senescence while cardiogen targets cardiac tissue. Combined use in geriatric populations demonstrated normalisation of cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune parameters with reduced mortality over 6–8 years of observation.
- Cardiogen
- 10–20 mg SQ · 10–20 day course
- Thymalin
- 10–30 mg IM · concurrent or sequential courses
- Frequency
- 2–4 courses per year
- Primary benefit
- Multi-system aging mitigation, cardiovascular and immune homeostasis
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
+ Ipamorelin
StrongCJC-1295 (no DAC) and ipamorelin are the canonical "GHRH + GHRP" dual-axis stack at physiological timing. Both peak within 30 min and clear within 2 hours, producing a sharp, high-amplitude GH pulse closely resembling natural physiology. Preferred over the CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin stack when pulsatility (vs sustained elevation) is the goal.
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition