Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsLL-37

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

BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED15/35 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

LL-37

Cathelicidin · Human AMP

Broad-spectrumAntimicrobial activity

Membrane disruptionPrimary mechanismLu 2026 He 2026

Innate immunityHost defense rolePinheiro 2026 Zhang 2026

Endogenous · Secreted at inflammation sites

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

LL-37

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Bacterial membranes · Phosphatidylserine-exposed cellsHe 2026 Lu 2026

Pathway

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

hCAP-18 precursor → Proteinase-3 cleavage → LL-37 release → Membrane insertion/disruption

Downstream effect

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

Membrane permeabilization, cytokine induction, autophagy, phagosome-lysosome fusion, chemotaxisAhmad 2026 Zhang 2026

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

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Origin

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

Endogenous human cathelicidin (37-AA fragment, residues 134–170 of hCAP-18)

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

LL-37

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.

In vitro, animal models, human observational

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

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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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Endogenous expression

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Constitutive in neutrophils, epithelial tissues

Upregulated during infection and inflammation.Pinheiro 2026

Exogenous (experimental)

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Dose varies by study; antimalarial ~10–50 μM in vitro

No FDA-approved exogenous formulation.

Plasma levels (malaria)

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Elevated in infected patients and miceHe 2026

Exogenous administration reduced parasitemia in murine models.He 2026

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

LL-37

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

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Flushing / headache

Common transient effect

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Cortisol elevation

Minimal at standard doses

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Prolactin elevation

Minimal

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Glucose intolerance

Possible at high cumulative doses

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IGF-1 elevation

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use

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Cancer risk

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

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Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

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Cytotoxicity (high dose)

—

Membrane disruption in host cells at supraphysiological concentrations

Pro-inflammatory signaling

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Can exacerbate inflammation in certain contexts (context-dependent)Pinheiro 2026

Biofilm formation risk

—

LL-37-DNA complexes may stabilize dental plaque biofilmsTanabe 2026

Theoretical cancer risk

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Immunomodulatory roles in tumor microenvironment under investigation

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

LL-37

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Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

LL-37

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical immune dysregulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

LL-37

1. Reconstitution

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

LL-37 is constitutively expressed in neutrophils and epithelial cells, cleaved from hCAP-18 by proteinase-3 at sites of infection or inflammation.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Synthetic LL-37 and derivatives (e.g., SAMP-12aa) tested in vitro and animal models. Administered via topical, intraperitoneal, or intravenous routes in research settings.

3. Timing

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

LL-37 is resistant to pepsin degradation at gastric pH. Synthetic short peptides designed to retain this stability while reducing toxicity.Lu 2026

4. Storage

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

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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

LL-37

— no documented stacks