Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsGLP-1 (7-37)

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

BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED16/43 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

GLP-1 (7-37)

Incretin Hormone · Native Peptide

~2 minHalf-lifeAlavi 2021 Ding 2017

3297.7 DaMolecular weightAlavi 2021

1922Discovery year

Research use only · IV/SC in experimental settings

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

GLP-1 (7-37)

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

GLP-1 receptor (class B GPCR)Koole 2015

Pathway

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

GLP-1R activation → cAMP production → PKA signaling → insulin secretion (pancreatic β-cells)Lu 2025 Koole 2015

Downstream effect

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

Glucose-dependent insulin release, glucagon suppression, delayed gastric emptying, reduced food intakeLu 2025 Ding 2017

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

Yes — physiological secretion and degradation preserved

Origin

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

Endogenous peptide cleaved from proglucagon in intestinal L cells; secreted postprandially

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

GLP-1 (7-37)

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.

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Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

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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.

~2 minutes (plasma)Alavi 2021 Ding 2017

Requires continuous infusion for sustained effect.

Clinical use

—

None — native GLP-1 not used therapeutically

Engineered analogues (semaglutide, liraglutide) used clinically.Friedman 2024

Research dosing

—

Variable — 0.1–10 nmol/kg in animal models

Used as reference standard for analogue comparison.

Modified analogues

—

t½ extended to 13 h (liraglutide), 165 h (semaglutide)

Via DPP-4 resistance + fatty acid acylation.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

GLP-1 (7-37)

Mechanism

—

GLP-1R activation in hypothalamic satiety centers (arcuate nucleus) reduces food intakeLu 2025

Effect demonstrated with long-acting analogues (liraglutide).Lu 2025

Native GLP-1 efficacy

—

Minimal — rapid degradation prevents sustained appetite suppression

Gastric emptying

—

Delayed in animal models, contributing to satiety

Body weight impact

—

Not observed with native GLP-1 — requires analogue formulations

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

GLP-1 (7-37)

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

—

Native GLP-1

—

Well-tolerated in research settings; no prolonged exposure data

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Low — insulin secretion is glucose-dependent

Analogue side effects

—

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (GLP-1R agonists)

Not applicable to native GLP-1 due to non-therapeutic use.

GLP-1 resistance

—

High glucose-induced PKCβ overexpression may reduce GLP-1 responsiveness in endothelial cellsPujadas 2016

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

GLP-1 (7-37)

—

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

GLP-1 (7-37)

—

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

GLP-1 (7-37)

1. Reconstitution

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

Native GLP-1(7-37) is not formulated for therapeutic use. Administered IV or SC in experimental protocols to study GLP-1R pharmacology and as reference standard for analogue development.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Lyophilised peptide stored at -20°C or below. Reconstituted solutions should be prepared fresh and used immediately due to rapid degradation.

3. Timing

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

For therapeutic GLP-1R activation, use FDA-approved long-acting analogues: semaglutide (once weekly), liraglutide (once daily), dulaglutide (once weekly), or exenatide (twice daily or once weekly).

4. Storage

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

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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

GLP-1 (7-37)

— no documented stacks