Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsSS-31

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 3Reviewed9/43 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

SS-31

Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective

40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014

Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009 Szeto 2014

~3 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

SS-31

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

Pathway

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

Cardiolipin binding → cristae stabilisation → ETC integrity → reduced ROS + preserved ATP synthesisSzeto 2014 Szilagyi 2009

Downstream effect

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

Mitochondrial bioenergetic preservation; cardio-, neuro-, and reno-protective effects in animal + clinical studiesSzeto 2014

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 tetrapeptide D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂; cell-permeable, mitochondrial-selectiveSzeto 2014

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

SS-31

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014

Anecdotal community range 5-10 mg/day. Phase 3 trials use 40 mg.

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Once daily

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

5 mg / day (anecdotal)

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.

Multiple Phase 3 trials (Barth, AMD, ischemia-reperfusion)Szeto 2014 Szilagyi 2009

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Morning fasted preferred; pre-workout for exercise-induced mitochondrial stress

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

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

~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

SS-31

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

Avoid — insufficient data

GI symptoms

—

Nausea (uncommon)

Headache

—

Reported in some Phase 3 trials

Cardiovascular

—

Cardio-protective in studies; no signal of harm

Long-term safety

—

Phase 3 data over 24+ months; no major safety signalsSzeto 2014

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

SS-31

·None established

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

SS-31

1. Reconstitution

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

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Morning fasted; pre-workout for exercise-augmented mitochondrial stress.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

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

SS-31

+ MOTS-c

Moderate

View MOTS-c →

SS-31 and MOTS-c address mitochondrial decline through complementary axes. SS-31 protects existing mitochondrial structure (cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation). MOTS-c upregulates AMPK/PGC-1α, triggering biogenesis of new mitochondria. Together they pair preservation with renewal — anecdotally favoured in healthspan and post-cardio-event recovery protocols.

SS-31: 5–10 mg SQ · daily morning
MOTS-c: 5 mg SQ · 2× per week pre-workout
Primary benefit: Mitochondrial preservation + biogenesis