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What it does - plain English
CJC-1295 is a synthetic, long-acting analog of GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone - the natural signal your hypothalamus sends to your pituitary gland to release growth hormone). Your body releases growth hormone in pulses, mostly at night during deep sleep, and production declines steeply with age. CJC-1295 stimulates the pituitary to release more growth hormone in a more sustained way.
Two versions exist: with DAC (drug affinity complex - extends half-life to about 6-8 days, less frequent dosing) and without DAC (half-life of 30 minutes, dosed multiple times per day). The DAC version is more popular in peptide protocols because of dosing convenience.
It does not inject growth hormone directly. It tells your own pituitary to make more. That distinction matters when evaluating risks.
Status
A-tier within the body-composition and GH-supplementation use case. Animal and human pharmacokinetic studies confirm the peptide raises GH and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1 - the downstream marker of GH activity) in a sustained way.
Most often paired with Ipamorelin (a separate peptide that stimulates GH release through a different receptor). The combo is the most-stacked GH protocol in the peptide community. Long-term safety data in healthy adults is thin.
Legal status
CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved for human use. It exists in a gray-zone category called "research chemicals." The pharmaceutical version (CJC-1295 with DAC, related to but distinct from a molecule called Tesamorelin) was developed by ConjuChem and shelved after Phase 2 clinical trials in 2008. What is sold today is research-grade.
What this means in practice:
- Compounding pharmacy with a doctor's prescription - legal route; some states allow this. Telehealth services that work with compounding pharmacies are the most common path. Often prescribed alongside Ipamorelin in the same vial.
- Research peptide vendors - sold as "for research purposes only, not for human consumption." Gray zone; no consumer protection if something goes wrong.
- Don't - a conservative physician may say wait for human-trial data. That is a defensible position.
Where to source
Always ask for a COA (Certificate of Analysis - the lab report proving the bottle contains what the vendor claims). No COA, no buy. Period.
Two paths:
- Compounding pharmacy via telehealth - the legal route. Provider writes the script; pharmacy ships sterile vials. The CJC-1295/Ipamorelin stack is one of the most commonly compounded peptide combos. Ask whether you are getting the DAC or non-DAC version - they require different dosing schedules.
- Research peptide vendors - sold for research use only. Specific recommendations appear in the weekly dispatch when relevant. Verify third-party batch testing before buying.
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Two studies worth reading
Pharmacokinetic profile in humans
Teichman, S. et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Healthy adults given CJC-1295. The study established that the peptide produces sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation for several days after a single dose. Foundational pharmacokinetic data - the paper most people cite when asking whether the peptide actually works.
Body composition response
Ionescu, M. and Frohman, L., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mechanism follow-up showing CJC-1295 maintains pulsatile GH release rather than flattening it into a constant level. Important for understanding why the peptide is preferred over direct exogenous GH in some protocols - your body's natural rhythm stays intact.
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Last reviewed · 2026·05·04 · Status reviewed weekly