CJC-1295
A synthetic analogue of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone designed in two forms: a short-acting daily version (Mod GRF 1-29) and an albumin-bound weekly version (DAC).
CJC-1295 Biological Classification
A synthetic analogue of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone designed in two forms: a short-acting daily version (Mod GRF 1-29) and an albumin-bound weekly version (DAC).
GHRH Receptor Activation
Stimulates pituitary somatotrophs to synthesize and release growth hormone.
Albumin Binding (DAC Form)
Extends half-life to 6–8 days through covalent serum albumin conjugation.
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a synthetic 29-amino-acid analogue of human GHRH. It exists in two distinct chemical configurations: CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex, which binds albumin to last over a week) and CJC-1295 without DAC (commonly known as Mod GRF 1-29, which lasts minutes to hours).
Why are people interested in it?
Researched for its ability to dramatically elevate circulating growth hormone and IGF-1 levels. Frequently paired with ipamorelin to stimulate natural hormone pulses.
Primary Research Categories
- GHRH analogues
How does it work in the body?
CJC-1295 binds pituitary GHRH receptors, activating adenylate cyclase and triggering growth hormone synthesis.
Endocrine Pathway
The GHRH – Pituitary – IGF-1 Axis
Instead of injecting direct growth hormone, GHRH analogues prompt the body’s own pituitary gland to manufacture and release growth hormone in natural, pulsatile bursts.
GHRH Analogue
CJC-1295 enters circulation and binds GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotrophs.
Pulsatile GH
Stimulates natural, episodic pulses of endogenous human growth hormone (GH).
Hepatic IGF-1
Circulating GH stimulates the liver to synthesize and release Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1.
Lipolysis & Repair
Selectively triggers breakdown of abdominal visceral adipose tissue while maintaining lean mass.
GHRH Receptor Activation
Stimulates pituitary somatotrophs to synthesize and release growth hormone.
Albumin Binding (DAC Form)
Extends half-life to 6–8 days through covalent serum albumin conjugation.
What has actually been demonstrated in humans?
Early Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials demonstrated dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1. However, clinical development was halted after a participant death in a Phase 2 trial.
Pharmaceutical Reality vs. Unregulated Research Chemicals
CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved. It is prohibited by WADA and subject to FDA compounding restrictions.
What is still uncertain or unknown?
Clinical trials for CJC-1295 DAC were permanently terminated following safety events in Phase 2. Long-term human safety and outcome data are missing.
Companion Resources & Guides
Clinical Perspectives & Expert Discussions
Explore all perspectivesWhat identifiable clinicians, researchers, and professional bodies have publicly discussed regarding CJC-1295.
Dr. William A. Seeds, M.D.
Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon; founder of Seeds Scientific Research & Performance (SSRP) Institute; Medical Director of Redox Medical Group; author of Peptide Protocols.
Dr. Seeds details the clinical distinction between continuous GHRH exposure and physiological pulsatile secretagogues. He argues that short-acting GHRH analogues (like Mod GRF 1-29 or sermorelin, paired with ipamorelin) are preferable for cellular health because they stimulate natural pituitary pulses while preserving negative feedback loops, whereas long-acting continuous stimulation (such as CJC-1295 DAC) risks pituitary receptor desensitization.
Dr. Edwin Lee, M.D., F.A.C.E.
Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology; founder of the Clinical Peptide Society.
Dr. Lee emphasizes that any clinical exploration of growth hormone secretagogues must be accompanied by comprehensive baseline and ongoing laboratory evaluation, including serum IGF-1, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and cancer screening. He cautions that secretagogues are biologically active molecules that influence cellular proliferation and glucose counter-regulation.
Dosing Reference
Open CJC-1295 Dosing ReferenceTwo distinct molecules share this name. The published human trials used the DAC (albumin-binding) form; the non-DAC fragment sold as “Mod GRF 1-29” has no comparable published human dose data in this file.
Therapept separates official product labels, published clinical study interventions, animal research, clinical references, and community-reported ranges — never blended into one number.
Research at a Glance
Open the full evidence file (5 records)5 records in this file
- CLINICAL TRIAL2
- REVIEW1
- REGULATORY2
Publication span: 2006–2026
What Has Actually Been Studied
- FDA table of bulk drug substances nominated for compounding and subsequently withdrawn (FDA compounding communications, 2026) — Regulatory listing.
- Safety and efficacy of approved and unapproved peptide therapies for musculoskeletal injuries and athletic performance (Sports Medicine, 2026) — Narrative review.
- WADA Prohibited List — S2.2.4 GHRH analogues (WADA Prohibited List, 2026) — Anti-doping listing.
- Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006) — Randomised, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults.
Plus 1 more record in the evidence file.
What is Still Unknown
What we know
- Two chemically distinct molecules share the commercial name. Teichman 2006 and Ionescu 2006 studied the DAC form in healthy adults and reported prolonged GH/IGF-1 elevation.
- No approved drug product exists. FDA's withdrawn-nomination entry does not distinguish DAC from non-DAC.
- WADA lists GHRH analogues at S2.2.4.
Editorial reading of the records below, labelled as Therapept analysis. How records are built
What remains uncertain
- Which form a given certificate describes — formula, not the product name, is the identifier.
- Clinical endpoints beyond GH/IGF-1 biomarkers in healthy adults.
Combinations and Stacks
- CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Discussed as a GHRH-analogue plus GH-secretagogue pairing intended to stimulate GH release through two pathways at once — the “synthetic GH axis” pairing.
Preparation and Handling
Lyophilized peptides ship as freeze-dried powders; whatever happens next involves diluents, concentrations and storage conditions that are compound- and product-specific.
United States Regulatory Status
No FDA-approved product
- No approved drug product exists in Drugs@FDA for either form.
- Listed on FDA's table of bulk substances nominated for compounding and withdrawn by the nominator. FDA's entry does not distinguish between the DAC and non-DAC forms.
- FDA's published concerns reference serious adverse events reported in association with CJC-1295, including increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reaction.
WADA Anti-Doping Status
Named at S2.2.4 among GHRH analogues. Prohibited at all times; non-Specified.
Technical Chemical SpecificationsClick to view CAS, sequence, and molecular formulas
- Molecular weight
- With DAC: 3647.2 g/mol · Without DAC: 3367.9 g/mol
- Sequence length
- 239 chars
- CAS number
- With DAC: 446262-90-4 · Without DAC: 863288-34-0
- PubChem CID
- 91971820 (with DAC) · 56841945 (without DAC)
- Compound class
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. Supplied in two chemically distinct forms
- Sequence
- With DAC: modified GRF(1-29) backbone with Lys30 bearing a 3-(maleimido)propanoyl albumin-binding group. Without DAC: Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg-NH2
- Molecular formula
- With DAC: C165H269N47O46 · Without DAC: C152H252N44O42
- Molecular weight
- With DAC: 3647.2 g/mol · Without DAC: 3367.9 g/mol
- CAS number
- With DAC: 446262-90-4 · Without DAC: 863288-34-0
- PubChem CID
- 91971820 (with DAC) · 56841945 (without DAC)
Sources
Last reviewed 3 September 2026 · Compiled by Therapept Editorial · How these records are built