Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsHexarelin

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

APhase 1Reviewed15/51 cited

BPhase 1Reviewed19/45 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

Hexarelin

Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic

100–200 mcgPer doseSmith 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelGhigo 1997

~70 minHalf-lifeSemenistaya 2010

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Hexarelin

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Pathway

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

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997

Downstream effect

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

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Origin

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

Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Hexarelin

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

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.

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)

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.

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Hexarelin

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

—

Flushing / headache

Common transient effect

—

Cortisol elevation

Minimal at standard doses

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Prolactin elevation

Minimal

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Glucose intolerance

Possible at high cumulative doses

—

IGF-1 elevation

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Hunger

—

Strong appetite increase via ghrelin agonism

Tachyphylaxis

—

Receptor desensitisation with chronic dosingGhigo 1997

Cardiac effects

—

Direct cardio-tropic; potential benefit in MI but unstudied in humansGhigo 1997

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Hexarelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Hexarelin

1. Reconstitution

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

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

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

Hexarelin

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

Hexarelin (GHRP) + CJC-1295-no-DAC (GHRH analogue) is the higher-amplitude variant of the standard GHRH+GHRP stack. Hexarelin produces a stronger pulse than ipamorelin but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose this stack for maximum GH amplitude when side-effect tolerance is acceptable. Cycle aggressively.

Hexarelin: 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Maximum GH pulse amplitude (with side-effect signal)

Smith 1996 Teichman 2006