Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsIGF-DES

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-REVIEWED8/60 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-DES

IGF-1 Analogue · Truncated N-Terminal

~10×Potency vs IGF-1

ReducedIGFBP binding

ResearchStatus

Injection (local or systemic) · Research protocols onlyBredehöft 2008

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-DES

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R)Shields 2007

Pathway

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

IGF1R activation → PI3K/Akt & MAPK signaling → protein synthesis, proliferation

Downstream effect

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

Enhanced muscle protein synthesis, myoblast differentiation, reduced apoptosis, cell proliferation

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

Unknown — no human endocrine feedback data

Origin

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

Synthetic truncation of native IGF-1 — removal of N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptideBredehöft 2008

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-DES

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

—

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Variable — daily to multiple times daily in research

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.

Animal models + in vitro only

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.

Shorter than IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding

Rapid tissue uptake, limited systemic circulation.

Research dose range

—

10–100 ng/mL (in vitro); μg doses (animal models)

Highly context-dependent; no standardized human protocol.

Route

—

Subcutaneous or intramuscular (local injection favored)

Local delivery maximizes tissue-specific uptake.

Human data

—

None — no clinical trials

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-DES

Primary mechanism

—

Indirect via muscle hypertrophy → metabolic rate elevation

Direct lipolysis

—

Minimal evidence — IGF-1 axis primarily anabolic, not lipolytic

Prostate model

—

Inhibited BPH cell proliferation when combined with vitamin D3 analogueCrescioli 2002

Context-specific anti-proliferative effect, not fat loss.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-DES

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

Expected — erythema, irritation, local swelling

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

—

Hypoglycemia risk

—

Theoretical — IGF-1 axis enhances glucose uptake

Mitogenic risk

—

Chronic IGF-1 receptor activation may promote cell proliferation, potential tumor growthCrescioli 2002

Edema / Fluid retention

—

Possible via sodium retention (IGF-1 axis effect)

Human safety data

—

Absent — no human trials, all effects theoretical or extrapolated

Unknown long-term effects

—

No chronic dosing studies in humans; endocrine, metabolic consequences unknown

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

IGF-DES

·Active malignancy or history of cancer (mitogenic risk)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)
·Hypoglycemia disorders

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

IGF-DES

·Diabetes mellitus (unpredictable glucose effects)
·Renal or hepatic impairment (clearance unknown)
·Edema-prone conditions (heart failure, nephrotic syndrome)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

IGF-DES

1. Reconstitution

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

Des(1-3)IGF-1 has no approved human protocol. All administration details are derived from animal or in vitro research and should not be construed as medical guidance.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Sterile water or bacteriostatic water per research protocol. Gently swirl; do not shake. Store reconstituted peptide at 2–8 °C.

3. Timing

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

Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh) or intramuscular (deltoid, vastus lateralis). Local injection to target tissue (e.g., muscle group) may enhance regional uptake.

4. Storage

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

Frequency and timing vary by research design. Post-exercise or fasted state may theoretically enhance muscle uptake.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

27–31G insulin syringe for subcutaneous; 25–27G for intramuscular.

6. Monitoring

—

Glucose monitoring essential (hypoglycemia risk). No established IGF-1 or safety labs for human use.

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-DES

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

Des(1-3)IGF-1 promotes myoblast differentiation and protein synthesis, while BPC-157 enhances tissue repair, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Both act on distinct pathways (IGF1R vs gastric pentadecapeptide mechanisms) to support muscle recovery and connective tissue integrity. Synergy is mechanistic but lacks direct co-administration studies.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ, daily or twice daily
Frequency: Daily or per research protocol
Primary benefit: Accelerated muscle repair, enhanced hypertrophy, connective tissue support

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing via actin regulation. Des(1-3)IGF-1 drives protein synthesis and myoblast proliferation. Combined, these peptides may synergistically enhance muscle recovery, repair, and hypertrophy through complementary anabolic and regenerative pathways. No direct human co-administration data.

Des(1-3)IGF-1: Research dose post-workout (local IM)
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ, 2× weekly
Frequency: Per research cycle
Primary benefit: Muscle hypertrophy, injury recovery, vascular support