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The plain-English version
Standard protocol is 100 micrograms (a small subQ shot) before bed, 5 nights a week, almost always stacked with Ipamorelin in the same shot. Run for 8 to 12 weeks, then break for 4 to 8 weeks. Always with a doctor.
Route: subcutaneous injection. Evidence tier for the dose: Strong clinical. Multiple human studies support the dosing protocol; not yet FDA-labeled for this exact indication but close.
The dose at a glance
| What's typical | What's the max in research |
|---|---|
| Starting dose: 100 mcg subQ (under-the-skin shot) before bed, 5 nights per week. Most users start at the standard dose - it is already small. | Max observed in research: Phase 2 trials studied weekly bolus doses up to 1 mg. Most modern compounded protocols cap at 200 mcg per dose to preserve the natural GH pulse pattern. Higher doses suppress the body's own GHRH response. |
| Maintenance dose: 100 mcg before bed, 5 nights per week. Some users go to 200 mcg per night but the diminishing returns are real. | |
| Frequency: 5 nights per week. Most protocols use Mon-Fri and skip weekends to preserve receptor sensitivity. | Half-life: About 8 days for the modified version (CJC-1295 with DAC, the long-acting form). The unmodified version (sometimes called Mod GRF 1-29 or CJC-1295 no-DAC) has a half-life of about 30 minutes - very different drug. Most US compounding ships the no-DAC version unless specifically ordered with DAC. |
Titration (how to ramp the dose)
Most users skip formal titration (slow ramp-up). Some start at 50 mcg for the first 3-5 nights to test tolerance.
Cycle length and time off
On cycle: 8 to 12 weeks per cycle.
Off cycle: 4 to 8 weeks off after a 12-week cycle.
Timing notes: Inject 30 minutes before bed - aligns with the natural growth-hormone pulse during deep sleep. Inject in stomach or thigh fat. Empty stomach is best (no food for 2 hours before) for full pituitary response.
What's commonly prescribed (per published protocols and clinical write-ups)
Compounding pharmacies in the US typically dispense CJC-1295 (no-DAC, the short-acting form) as a 5 mg lyophilized (freeze-dried, shelf-stable) vial, often blended with Ipamorelin in the same vial. Telehealth scripts usually read 'CJC-1295/Ipamorelin 100/100 mcg subQ nightly Mon-Fri x 12 weeks.' The DAC version exists but is less common in current US formularies.
Source: prescribing labels, published protocols, and clinical write-ups. We have not independently tested each prescriber pattern.
Reconstitution (mixing the vial)
Lyophilized 5 mg vials of CJC-1295/Ipamorelin blend reconstitute (mix back into liquid) with exactly 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water (sterile water with preservative, the kind compounding pharmacies sell for reconstituting peptides). At 5 mg per 2.5 mL, every 0.05 mL on the syringe equals 100 mcg of each peptide. If your pharmacy filled the vial with a different volume, recalculate from the mg/mL printed on your vial label - not from this page. Store reconstituted vial in the fridge, use within 30 days.
Reconstitution = mixing freeze-dried (lyophilized) powder with bacteriostatic water (sterile water with preservative) so you can draw a dose into a syringe.
Drug interactions to watch
- Insulin and oral diabetes meds - growth hormone raises blood sugar; diabetics should monitor and adjust.
- Glucocorticoids (prednisone, etc.) - can blunt the GHRH response; coordinate with prescriber.
- Avoid eating in the 2 hours before injection - food blunts the GH pulse.
Who should not take this (contraindications)
- Active cancer (growth hormone could in theory feed tumors).
- Active diabetic retinopathy.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Children and adolescents (still growing - exogenous GHRH is not appropriate).
Common side effects
- Water retention or mild puffiness in the first 1-2 weeks.
- Tingling in hands or feet (paresthesia).
- Mild blood-sugar elevation.
- Vivid dreams.
- Injection-site reaction.
Serious side effects (call a doctor)
- Carpal tunnel symptoms (worse if pre-existing) - stop and call your doctor.
- Significant blood-sugar rise in pre-diabetics or diabetics.
- Joint pain that does not resolve.
- Allergic reaction (hives, swelling) - rare.
What to monitor while you're on it
- IGF-1 level at baseline, 4 weeks, and end of cycle. IGF-1 is the most useful marker - aim for upper-normal range, not above.
- Fasting glucose and A1C at baseline and end of cycle.
- Body composition scan (DEXA or InBody) at start and end.
- Watch for water retention in the first 2 weeks.
How to stop
Just stop at the end of the cycle. No taper needed. IGF-1 returns to baseline over 2-3 weeks.
Where this dosing comes from
- Teichman et al., CJC-1295 Phase 1/2 GH and IGF-1 response (2006)
- Sigalos and Pastuszak, peptide GH-secretagogue review (2018)
- US compounding pharmacy formularies (Tailor Made, Empower, Strive)
- Telehealth GH-peptide protocols (Defy Medical, Maximus, Marek Health 2023-2025)
Where these doses come from
These doses come from human trials and prescribing protocols used by clinicians. Not FDA-approved at this exact dose, but well-supported by published data.
Always work with a real prescriber. Don't self-prescribe.
Safety reminder: None of this replaces a doctor. Peptides are gray-market in the US for most uses. Talk to a real prescriber before you change anything.
Where to go next
- Full CJC-1295 directory entry - status, sourcing, studies, what to skip
- CJC-1295 for growth hormone support
- CJC-1295 for fat loss
- CJC-1295 for muscle recovery
- CJC-1295 for sleep quality
- What are peptides - if you skipped the foundation
- How peptides actually work - mechanism in plain English
- Subscribe to the dispatch
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Last reviewed · 2026-05-07 · Page generated by Protocol One matrix engine. None of this replaces a doctor. Peptides are gray-market in the US for most uses. Talk to a real prescriber before you change anything.