Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsSemax

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-MechanisticDraft12/39 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

Semax

Cognitive enhancer · Russian Pharma

200–600 mcg/doseIntranasalKaplan 2017

HumanMechanisticKaplan 2017

~30 minOnset

Intranasal · 2–3×/day during cognitive demand

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Semax

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

BDNF / NGF expression + monoamine modulationKaplan 2017

Pathway

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

↑ BDNF + NGF synthesis + 5-HT modulation → neuroplasticity + anxiolysis + cognitive enhancementKaplan 2017

Downstream effect

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

Improved memory + attention; reduced anxiety; neuroprotection in ischemiaKaplan 2017

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

—

Origin

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

Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from ACTH(4-7) with C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilising tailKaplan 2017

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Semax

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

200–600 mcg / dose intranasalKaplan 2017

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

2–3× per day during cognitive demand

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

100 mcg / 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.

Human-mechanistic + Russian clinicalKaplan 2017

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

10–14 day cycles, repeated PRN

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Morning + early afternoon

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.

Short plasma; CNS effect lasts ~3–6 hr

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Semax

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

—

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

Nasal irritation

—

Mild burning or congestion (transient)

Sleep disruption

—

Late-day dosing may interfere with sleep

Headache

—

Uncommon, transient

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western RCT data

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Semax

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Semax

·Active psychiatric instability
·Concurrent strong stimulants

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Semax

1. Reconstitution

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

Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Intranasal — 2–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.

3. Timing

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

Morning + early afternoon. Avoid evening (sleep disruption).

4. Storage

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

Refrigerate after reconstitution; light-protected.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

Cycle on/off to avoid neurochemical adaptation.

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

Semax

+ Selank

Moderate

View Selank →

Semax (cognitive enhancer, BDNF/NGF) and Selank (anxiolytic + immune) form the canonical Russian "neuro stack" — both intranasal peptide bioregulators with complementary axes. Semax for cognitive demand; Selank for stress mitigation.

Semax: 200–600 mcg intranasal · morning + afternoon
Selank: 150–300 mcg intranasal · midday + early evening
Primary benefit: Cognitive enhancement + stress mitigation

Kaplan 2017 Zaderej 2014