Side-by-side · Research reference
CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsIpamorelin
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 1Reviewed21/57 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Ipamorelin
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998Bowers 1991
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002
Feedback intact?
Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006
Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002
Origin
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
Not reported in short-term studies
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Ipamorelin
Standard dose
100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006
Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.
200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998
Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.
Frequency
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
1–3× per day
Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.
Lower / starter dose
50 mcg per dose
100 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.
Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998Sigalos 2018
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)
GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial
Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food
Half-life
~30 minIonescu 2006
Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.
~2 hoursRaun 1998
Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Ipamorelin
Injection site reaction
Erythema, mild pruritus
Mild irritation possible
Flushing / headache
Common transient effect
—
Glucose intolerance
Possible at high cumulative doses
—
IGF-1 elevation
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use
Cancer risk
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
Hunger
—
Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk
GH excess (overdose)
—
Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance
Absolute Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Ipamorelin
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
Ipamorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
- ·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Ipamorelin
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. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
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
Ipamorelin
+ Tesamorelin
StrongIpamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Tesamorelin
- 2 mg SQ · same injection · pre-sleep
- Primary benefit
- Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth
+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)
StrongCJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- 100 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern