Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsCortagen

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED15/51 cited

BAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant

100 mcgPer doseTeichman 2006

~30 minHalf-lifeIonescu 2006

Phase 1Evidence levelTeichman 2006 Sigalos 2018

SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Cortagen

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

Pathway

GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

Downstream effect

Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

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Origin

Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Cortagen

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

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Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

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Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

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Evidence basis

Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006 Ionescu 2006

No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.

Animal mechanistic studies

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

—

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

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Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.

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Animal model dose (rat)

—

Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)

Multiple injections over study period.

Avian model dose (chicken)

—

40-day injection courseKuznik 2008

Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.

Human peripheral nerve study

—

Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)

Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.

Route

—

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Cortagen

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

—

Antioxidant suppression

—

Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007

Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.

Immune/hemostasis effects

—

No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008

Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.

Human safety data

—

No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context

Limited detail in available abstracts.

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Cortagen

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Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Cortagen

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05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Cortagen

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

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06Stack Synergy

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

+ Ipamorelin

Strong

View Ipamorelin →

CJC-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

Teichman 2006 Raun 1998

Cortagen

— no documented stacks