Side-by-side · Research reference
CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsHumanin
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-REVIEWED14/52 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
Humanin
Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide · Cytoprotective
SQ · Experimental
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Humanin
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
Humanin binds Bax/Bim → inhibits mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) → blocks cytochrome c release → prevents caspase activation → cell survival
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Suppression of apoptosis, mitochondrial stabilization, reduced oxidative stress, preservation of germ cells and neurons under stressZhu 2022Lue 2021Velentza 2024
Feedback intact?
Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006
Not applicable — peptide acts as anti-apoptotic signal, not hormonal axis
Origin
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Encoded by short open reading frame in mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (MTRNR2). 24-28 amino acids. 13 homologous variants (MTRNR2L1-L13) identified.Zhu 2022Shahzaib 2026
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
Not reported in animal models
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Humanin
Frequency
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
Daily (IP)
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 models (rat, mouse)Huang 2025El 2022Velentza 2024
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
8–12 weeks in animal studies
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.
—
Standard experimental dose (HNG)
—
4 mg/kg IP (rat)
Most common dose in rodent models.
Ex vivo bone culture
—
1 µg/mL
Protective against venetoclax-induced bone growth retardation.
Human data
—
None — no clinical trials reported
Analog (HNG)
—
Gly[14]-humanin — more potent variant
Substitution at position 14 enhances cytoprotective activity.
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Humanin
Direct fat loss evidence
—
None
Mechanism overlap
—
Mitochondrial health may indirectly influence metabolic efficiency, but no quantified effect
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Humanin
Injection site reaction
Erythema, mild pruritus
Not reported in animal studies (IP route)
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
—
Animal model safety
—
Well-tolerated in rat and mouse studies at 4 mg/kg for 8–12 weeks
Human safety data
—
None — no clinical trials
Theoretical fibrillation risk
—
Induces amyloid-like fibrillation of Bax/BID. Long-term sequelae unknown.
Reproductive safety
—
Protective in POI model (cyclophosphamide-induced), no adverse effects on fertility notedHuang 2025
Absolute Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Humanin
- ·Unknown — no human data
Relative Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
Humanin
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical risk of anti-apoptotic effect on tumour cells)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Humanin
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.
Intraperitoneal (IP) in animal models. Subcutaneous route untested. No human protocols exist.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
Synthetic peptide reconstituted in sterile saline or PBS. No commercial formulation available.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
Daily administration in animal studies. Optimal timing not characterized.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Lyophilised powder: -20 °C. Reconstituted: 4 °C, use within 7 days. Avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
No FDA approval, no IND, no clinical trials. Experimental research tool only.
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
Humanin
+ MOTS-c
Multi-pathwayBoth are mitochondrial-derived peptides. MOTS-c enhances metabolic efficiency and insulin sensitivity via AMPK activation, while humanin prevents mitochondrial apoptosis. Combined, they address mitochondrial function (MOTS-c) and survival signaling (humanin), supporting cellular resilience under metabolic and oxidative stress.
- Humanin
- 4 mg/kg IP · daily (animal model)
- MOTS-c
- 5 mg/kg IP · daily (animal model)
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Primary benefit
- Mitochondrial health, metabolic efficiency, anti-apoptotic signaling