Side-by-side · Research reference
CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsDermorphin
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-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED20/47 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
Dermorphin
Opioid Peptide · μ-Receptor Agonist · Research Only
Research only · ICV / SC (animal models)
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Dermorphin
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006
μ-opioid receptors (central and peripheral)Negri 1992Steel 2014
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
μ-receptor activation → G-protein coupling → adenylyl cyclase inhibition → neuronal hyperpolarization
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Potent analgesia, reduced nociceptive signaling, opioid-mediated CNS and peripheral effects
Feedback intact?
Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006
N/A — exogenous opioid agonist
Origin
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Phyllomedusa sauvagei and P. bicolor frog skin — gene-encoded with natural D-amino acid incorporationAmiche 1998Mignogna 1992
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
Site-directed antibodies produced for detection and purificationCucumel 1996
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Dermorphin
Frequency
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
—
Lower / starter dose
50 mcg per dose
—
Evidence basis
Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006Ionescu 2006
No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.
Animal studies · In vitro assays
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
—
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.
—
Legal status
—
Controlled substance in many jurisdictions · Research only
Not approved for human use.
Animal research (ICV)
—
Low nanomolar to picomolar range
Intracerebroventricular administration in rodent models.
Detection limit (doping)
—
5 pg/mL in equine plasma/urineSteel 2014
High-throughput LC-MS/MS screen developed for racing industry.
Duration of action
—
10–120 minutes (dose-dependent, intrathecal)
Human toxicity
—
Kambô ritual (P. bicolor skin) — violent emesis, vasodilation, fluid shifts, ADH dysregulationTran 2025
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Dermorphin
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
—
Opioid effects
—
Respiratory depression, sedation, euphoria, tolerance, dependence risk
Kambô ritual toxicity
—
Violent emesis, vasodilation, profound fluid shifts, hyponatremia, ADH dysregulation, brain death (case report)Tran 2025
Receptor selectivity caveat
—
Two μ-receptor subtypes — differential behavioral effects (analgesia vs. catalepsy)Negri 1992
Proteolytic stability
—
Tyr³-Pro⁶ bond relatively unstable; endogenous enzymes may produce tetrapeptide fragmentsCucumel 1996
Absolute Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Dermorphin
- ·Human use — not approved by any regulatory authority
- ·Controlled substance status — possession illegal in many jurisdictions
- ·Known opioid hypersensitivity or respiratory compromise
Relative Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
Dermorphin
- ·Any context outside approved animal research protocols
- ·CNS depressant co-administration
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Dermorphin
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.
Dermorphin is a controlled substance in many jurisdictions and is not approved for human use. Possession, synthesis, or distribution may be illegal. Use is restricted to licensed research settings under institutional review.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
In rodent models, intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intrathecal injection is used at nanomolar to picomolar concentrations. Subcutaneous administration also documented. All protocols require IACUC approval.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
High-throughput LC-MS/MS screens developed for anti-doping programs detect dermorphin and 17 related peptides in equine and human urine/plasma at limits as low as 5 pg/mL.Steel 2014
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Application of Phyllomedusa bicolor skin secretions to superficial burns. Not recommended — associated with severe toxicity including violent emesis, hyponatremia, and documented case of brain death.Tran 2025
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
—
06Stack Synergy
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
Dermorphin
— no documented stacks