Side-by-side · Research reference
CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsPinealon
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 1Reviewed15/51 cited
BHuman-MechanisticDraft12/36 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
Pinealon
Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective
SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Pinealon
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006
Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014
Origin
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
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02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Pinealon
Standard dose
100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006
Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.
5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014
Frequency
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
Once daily during cycle
Lower / starter dose
50 mcg per dose
2.5 mg / day
Evidence basis
Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006Ionescu 2006
No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.
Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
10-day cycles, 1–2× per year
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
No specific time
Half-life
~30 minIonescu 2006
Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.
Hours
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Pinealon
Injection site reaction
Erythema, mild pruritus
Mild irritation
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
Avoid
Long-term safety
—
Limited Western data
Absolute Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Pinealon
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
Pinealon
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Pinealon
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
SQ — abdomen preferred.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
Daily during cycle, any time.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤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
Pinealon
+ Epitalon
ModeratePinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.
- Pinealon
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
- Epitalon
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
- Primary benefit
- Neuroprotection + telomere preservation