// MODULE 05 // FAQ INDEX
CJC-1295 Frequently Asked Questions
Twenty-six direct answers to the most-searched CJC-1295 questions, each one tied back to the underlying study or regulatory record.
What is CJC-1295?
A synthetic 30-amino-acid analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29) with four amino-acid substitutions to resist enzymatic degradation; first described by ConjuChem in the mid-2000s and characterized in healthy adults by Teichman et al. in JCEM 2006 [1][17].
What does CJC-1295 do to your body?
Binds pituitary GHRH receptors and stimulates endogenous growth hormone release; in healthy adults receiving a single subcutaneous with-DAC injection, mean plasma GH rose 2- to 10-fold for six or more days and IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for nine to eleven days [1].
How does CJC-1295 work?
Agonist at the pituitary GHRH receptor. The DAC-bearing variant covalently binds serum albumin via a maleimide linker, producing a plasma half-life of 5.8-8.1 days and a sustained GH 'bleed' [1]. The no-DAC variant clears within ~30 minutes, producing pulses closer to native GH physiology [6].
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and CJC-1295 no DAC?
DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a maleimide linker that conjugates CJC-1295 to albumin in vivo, extending plasma half-life from ~30 minutes (no-DAC) to a mean of 5.8-8.1 days (with-DAC) [1][6]. With-DAC produces sustained GH elevation; no-DAC (also called modified GRF 1-29) produces pulsatile GH release closer to physiologic patterns.
What is modified GRF 1-29?
An alternative name for CJC-1295 without DAC. 'Modified' refers to the four amino-acid substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 (D-Ala, Gln, Ala, Leu) that stabilize the molecule against DPP-IV cleavage [6].
What are the side effects of CJC-1295?
Reported in published trials and case reports: injection-site reactions (redness, swelling, itching), facial flushing, headache, dizziness, transient nausea, and mild water retention [1][15]. The FDA's 2024 PCAC briefing also references systemic vasodilatory reaction and increased heart rate among class-level cardiovascular concerns [13].
Is CJC-1295 safe?
Short-term human trials (Teichman 2006, weeks of exposure) reported it as well tolerated at studied doses, particularly at 30-60 mcg/kg [1]. Long-term human safety data does not exist. The compound is not FDA-approved for any indication and is subject to ongoing PCAC review [13][16].
Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?
No. CJC-1295 has never received FDA approval for any clinical indication [13]. The FDA's 2024 PCAC briefing categorizes it among non-approved peptides under review for compounding eligibility, and the substance was removed from Category 2 of the interim 503A bulks list in September 2024 [13][16].
What is the typical CJC-1295 dosage used in research?
Teichman 2006 dosed healthy adult subjects at 30, 60, 125, and 250 mcg/kg as a single subcutaneous CJC-1295 with DAC injection [1]. Subsequent observational reports describe clinic protocols of 100-300 mcg subcutaneously, 5 days per week, for the no-DAC variant — these are not from controlled trials [15].
What is the half-life of CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 with DAC: mean plasma half-life of 5.8-8.1 days [1]. CJC-1295 without DAC (modified GRF 1-29): approximately 30 minutes — longer than native GHRH (1-29) at ~10 minutes, far shorter than the DAC variant [6][7].
How does CJC-1295 differ from ipamorelin?
Different receptor targets. CJC-1295 is a GHRH-receptor agonist; ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin-receptor (GHSR-1a) agonist [2]. They act on different signaling pathways within the same GH-release axis, which is the mechanistic basis for combination protocols [11].
How is CJC-1295 injected in research protocols?
Subcutaneous injection in published human pharmacokinetic studies. The abdomen or thigh is the typical injection site in research protocols [1]. The Alba 2006 GHRH-knockout mouse model also used subcutaneous administration [3].
Time to effect in pharmacokinetic studies
Teichman 2006 measured GH elevation within hours of a single CJC-1295 with DAC injection, with sustained elevation across the multi-day pharmacokinetic window [1]. Onset characteristics for the no-DAC variant follow a pulsatile pattern over minutes to hours [6].
Discontinuation in clinical reports
GH and IGF-1 levels return toward baseline as the compound clears. The DAC variant's long half-life means residual activity persists for roughly one to two weeks after the last dose [1]. The no-DAC variant clears within hours [6].
Hair loss reports
Not documented as a side effect in published controlled trials of CJC-1295 [1]. Hair-related concerns in community discussion typically reference downstream IGF-1 elevation rather than the compound itself [15].
Effect on testosterone
CJC-1295 acts on the GH/IGF-1 axis, not the HPG axis. Published trials measured GH and IGF-1 endpoints; significant changes in testosterone have not been reported as a primary outcome [1][11].
Weight changes and water retention
Mild water retention is reported in observational sources [15]. Studied outcomes in published GH-axis research focus on body-composition shifts (lean-mass, adipose-tissue) rather than scale weight per se [9].
Why CJC-1295 causes flushing
Histamine release and vasodilation following injection are the proposed mechanisms cited in pharmacy monographs [13]. The FDA's 2024 PCAC briefing specifically references 'systemic vasodilatory reaction' as a safety concern.
Plasma persistence and washout
With-DAC variant: detectable in plasma for approximately two weeks after a single dose given the ~8-day half-life [1]. No-DAC variant clears within hours [6].
CJC-1295 + ipamorelin combination
Combination protocols pair GHRH-receptor agonism (CJC-1295) with ghrelin-receptor agonism (ipamorelin) to engage two arms of GH-release physiology [1][2]. Most data is from clinic case series rather than controlled trials [11].
Reconstitution in published protocols
Lyophilized powder reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Concentration depends on vial size; published protocols and pharmacy monographs use 1-2 mL of bacteriostatic water per 5-mg vial [13].
Is CJC-1295 a steroid?
No. CJC-1295 is a peptide hormone analog, structurally and pharmacologically distinct from anabolic-androgenic steroids. It acts on the GHRH receptor, not on androgen receptors [1].
Legal status of CJC-1295
Not FDA-approved as a drug [13][16]. Listed by WADA among prohibited substances for competitive athletes (Section S2, in-competition and out-of-competition) [10]. Legal status for research use varies by jurisdiction; included in the FDA's 2023-2024 review of non-approved compounding peptides [13].
CJC-1295 vs sermorelin
Both are GHRH analogs. Sermorelin is GHRH (1-29) with no stabilizing modifications and a very short half-life (~11-12 minutes) [7]. CJC-1295 carries four substitutions that extend half-life — to ~30 minutes for no-DAC, and dramatically (~8 days) for with-DAC via covalent albumin binding [1][6].
Oral bioavailability
No oral bioavailability has been established in published research. Peptides of this size are degraded by gastric proteases; all human trials used subcutaneous injection [1].
CJC-1295 vs recombinant HGH
Recombinant HGH is growth hormone itself, administered exogenously. CJC-1295 is a GHRH-receptor agonist — it stimulates the pituitary to release the body's own GH in a more physiologically patterned way [1]. Teichman 2006 reported preserved pulsatility under CJC-1295 with DAC [1].