Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsIGF-1 LR3

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-REVIEWED10/58 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

IGF-1 LR3

IGF-1 Analogue · Research

3–10×Potency vs IGF-I

Low IGFBPBinding affinity

ResearchStatus

Research only · SQ typical in animal models

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-1 LR3

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)McTavish 2009

Pathway

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

IGF-1R → IRS-1 → PI3K/Akt → Cell proliferation, protein synthesis, anti-apoptosisMuhlbradt 2009

Downstream effect

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

Enhanced cell proliferation, muscle anabolism, inhibition of apoptosis, increased telomerase activity

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

No — exogenous IGF analogue bypasses GH-mediated regulation

Origin

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

Synthetic 83-AA analogue: 13-AA N-terminal extension + Arg substitution at position 3

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-1 LR3

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 / in vitro only

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

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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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Research dose (animal models)

—

Variable by protocol and species

In vivo murine atherosclerosis studies used sustained delivery.

In vitro typical concentration

—

10–1000 ng/mLThomas 2007

Dose-dependent effects on follicle growth and estradiol production.

Half-maximal stimulation

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0.6 nM LR3 vs 1.5 nM native IGF-1Price 2004

2.5-fold greater potency in lung fibroblast proliferation.

Human use

—

Not FDA-approved; no published human trials

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-1 LR3

Mechanism

—

IGF-1R activation → lipolytic signaling; secondary to anabolic effects

Direct lipolytic evidence

—

Minimal — primarily anabolic/anti-apoptotic in literature

Atherosclerotic plaque effects

—

Reduced stenosis and core size in ApoE-KO micevon 2011

Plaque stabilization via vSMC phenotype modulation, not direct fat loss.

Human data

—

None published

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-1 LR3

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

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Flushing / headache

Common transient effect

—

Cortisol elevation

Minimal at standard doses

—

Prolactin elevation

Minimal

—

Glucose intolerance

Possible at high cumulative doses

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IGF-1 elevation

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use

—

Cancer risk

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

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Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

—

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Theoretical — IGF-1 analogues can lower blood glucose

Excessive cell proliferation

—

Mitogenic signaling; theoretical tumor promotion risk

Telomerase activation

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2–10-fold increase in prostate cancer cells (PC-3, DU-145, LAPC-4)Wetterau 2003

Critically involved in cancer cell immortalization.

Oocyte degeneration

—

Increased oocyte degeneration at high doses (≥1000 ng/mL) in bovine folliclesThomas 2007

Unregulated anabolism

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Bypasses physiological GH/IGF-1 feedback; no pulsatility control

Unknown human safety profile

—

No published human trials; safety data absent

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

IGF-1 LR3

·Active malignancy or history of cancer
·Not approved for human use

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

IGF-1 LR3

·Diabetes or glucose intolerance
·Family history of cancer

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-1 LR3

1. Reconstitution

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

IGF-1 LR3 is not FDA-approved for human use. All administration data derives from animal or in vitro studies.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in animal models. In vitro: added directly to culture medium at concentrations of 10–1000 ng/mL.Thomas 2007

3. Timing

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

Lyophilised powder reconstituted in sterile water or buffered saline per manufacturer protocol. Store at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.

4. Storage

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

Enhanced stability vs native IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding; exact half-life in vivo not fully characterized in humans.

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

IGF-1 LR3

+ GHRP-6

Multi-pathway

View GHRP-6 →

GHRP-6 stimulates endogenous GH release, which drives hepatic IGF-1 synthesis. IGF-1 LR3 provides exogenous, IGFBP-resistant IGF signaling. Combining upstream GH stimulation with downstream IGF receptor activation creates a dual-pathway anabolic effect. However, this bypasses natural feedback and carries compounded mitogenic risk.

GHRP-6: 100–200 mcg SQ · 2–3× daily
IGF-1 LR3: Research doses variable · post-workout typical in animal models
Note: Research context only — no human protocols exist
Primary benefit: Theoretical maximal anabolic signaling (GH + IGF axes)

+ Ipamorelin

Multi-pathway

View Ipamorelin →

Ipamorelin (selective GHRP) stimulates pulsatile GH release without cortisol/prolactin elevation. IGF-1 LR3 directly activates IGF-1R independent of GH. This stack targets both upstream (GH secretion) and downstream (IGF receptor) nodes but eliminates physiological feedback, raising safety concerns around unchecked proliferation.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · evening
IGF-1 LR3: Research doses only · timing variable
Caution: No human data; animal/in vitro only
Primary benefit: Dual-axis anabolic signaling (theoretical)