Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsThymalin

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-MechanisticDraft12/40 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

Thymalin

Immune restorer · Russian peptide bioregulator

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2002

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2002

HoursHalf-life (est)

IM · Daily for 5–10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Thymalin

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

T-cell precursors + thymus-axis maturation pathwayKhavinson 2002

Pathway

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

Modulation of T-cell differentiation + thymic hormone restoration in age-involuted thymusKhavinson 2002

Downstream effect

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

Restored T-cell populations, improved immune surveillance, reduced infection rates in elderlyKhavinson 2002

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

Polypeptide fraction isolated from calf thymus extractKhavinson 2002

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Thymalin

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

5–10 mg / day IM × 5–10 daysKhavinson 2002

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 2006 Ionescu 2006

No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.

Russian clinical + in vitroKhavinson 2002

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

5–10 day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Saline or bacteriostatic water

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Morning preferred

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

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

Hours (estimated)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Thymalin

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

Mild erythema at IM site

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

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity to bovine-derived polypeptide

Autoimmune flare

—

Theoretical risk in active autoimmune disease

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Thymalin

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Bovine protein hypersensitivity

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Thymalin

·Active autoimmune disease
·Concurrent immunosuppressant therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Thymalin

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 saline or bacteriostatic water per 10 mg vial.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Intramuscular — deltoid or gluteal. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Morning preferred during cycle.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: use immediately.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

23–25G, 25–38 mm IM needle.

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

Thymalin

+ Thymosin α-1

Moderate

View Thymosin α-1 →

Thymalin is a polypeptide complex; Thymosin α-1 is a single purified peptide. Both target the thymus-axis but at different levels — Thymalin restores broad thymic signaling; Tα-1 provides a specific molecular activator. Anecdotally combined for elderly immune support.

Thymalin: 5–10 mg IM · daily × 7 days
Thymosin α-1: 1.6 mg SQ · 2× weekly during the cycle
Primary benefit: Broad thymic restoration + targeted immune activation

Khavinson 2002 Camerini 2001