CJC-1295 with DAC
Long-Acting Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog · Extended Release
Growth hormone releasing hormone, modified with albumin-binding technology so that duration extends. Binding of the DAC to albumin lengthens half-life and holds GHRH receptor stimulation continuous.
Overview
Growth hormone releasing hormone, modified with albumin-binding technology so that duration extends. Binding of the DAC to albumin lengthens half-life and holds GHRH receptor stimulation continuous.
Albumin binding by DAC stretches half-life out to 6–8 days; GHRH receptors are stimulated continuously across that window, and GH/IGF-1 stays elevated.
Research indications
What the compound has been studied for, grouped by body system. Effect size is the reported magnitude where it was measured — not a recommendation.
Recovery and healing after exercise or injury occur faster.
One injection sustains growth hormone release continuously for 6–8 days.
IGF-1 levels are significantly elevated across extended periods.
Weekly dosing is ideal because administration stays simple.
Lipolysis and fat metabolism are promoted by sustained GH elevation.
Muscle protein synthesis is supported by a sustained anabolic environment.
- Class
- GHRH analog with DAC
- Research status
- Well studied
- Chain length
- 30 residues
- Molecular weight
- 3647.28 Da
- Half-life
- ~168 h
- Typical dose
- 1–2 mg weekly
- Frequency
- Once or twice weekly
- Cycle length
- 8–12 weeks
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2-8°C refrigerated; Reconstituted: 2-8°C refrigerated, use within 30 days
Molecular data
- Type
- GHRH analog with DAC
- Molecular weight
- 3647.28 Da
- Chain length
- 30 residues
- Half-life
- 10080 min
YADAIFTNSYRKVLAQLSARKLLQDILSRKLevels in single-dose multiples. A shape, not a pharmacokinetic prediction.
Dosing reference
Doses reported in the literature and by suppliers. These are a record of what has been used in research — reference, never instruction.
| Context | Route | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative Anti-Aging | SubQ | 1mg | Once weekly |
| Standard Protocol | SubQ | 2mg | Once weekly |
| Split Dosing | SubQ | 1mg | Twice weekly (Mon/Thu) |
| Loading Protocol | SubQ | 2mg first week, then 1mg | Weekly |
Interactions
Pulsatile protocols may lose synergistic benefit under continuous GH elevation.
Continuous GH elevation diminishes the pulse effects of GHRPs.
Different variants are never combined; the choice follows the desired release pattern.
Each produces continuous GH elevation, so combining them risks excessive levels.
Two GHRH analogs: nothing is added in benefit, and receptors may compete.
The purpose is defeated, and natural production may be suppressed.
Greater potency and a longer duration already belong to CJC-1295 DAC.
What to expect
Safety
Mechanistic flags — properties of the pathway, not observed adverse events.
- Water retention
- Joint pain
- Symptoms of carpal tunnel
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, or severe joint pain
- Water retention excessive enough to affect daily life
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Significant dysregulation of blood glucose
- Acromegaly signs: the jaw grows, hand/feet enlarge
- Lethargy that persists, indicating adrenal effects
- Diabetes history
- Cancer history
- Sleep apnea predisposition
Quality checklist
What to confirm before trusting a batch of research material. A verification aid — not an endorsement of any supplier.
- Third-party Certificate of AnalysisIndependent lab · dated · lot-matched.
- HPLC purity ≥ 98%Reverse-phase trace included.
- Mass-spec confirms 3647.28 g/molMALDI-TOF or ESI-MS.
- Counterion stated (acetate ≫ TFA)TFA salts can confound bioassays.
- Endotoxin / sterility statementRelevant once reconstituted.
- Lyophilised · cold-chain shippedStored −20 °C, shipped on ice.
- Labelled “research use only”No therapeutic or dosing claims.
Recorded signals for this compound · 6
- ✓Purity must be high, >98%; more side effects come from impurities
- ✓DAC labeling done properly: 'with DAC' is stated clearly on legitimate products
- !Costs more than non-DAC — 2–3x, a consequence of complex manufacturing
- !Foam appearing during mixing is expected with DAC peptides, and it settles out
- ×Pricing extremely cheap: a price similar to non-DAC likely means mislabeling
- ×Solution clear straight away, where a slight initial cloudiness is expected
FAQ
How does the cost of CJC-1295 with DAC compare with the non-DAC version?
Typical pricing runs 2-3x the non-DAC version, a consequence of complex albumin-binding manufacturing. What the premium buys is DAC technology and weekly dosing, against the daily injections the basic version requires — more convenient administration at a higher price.
Can CJC-1295 with DAC be combined safely with testosterone therapy?
Use alongside testosterone is possible, with careful monitoring required. Exogenous testosterone stacked on continuous GH elevation raises the risk of joint pain, of water retention, and of IGF-1 elevated past safe levels. Separation of the two is the usual protocol choice, or lower doses of each where they are combined.
Why is joint pain reported during CJC-1295 DAC use?
Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 drives water into joints and connective tissue, and that produces the joint pain and carpal tunnel symptoms. Pulsatile protocols spike GH and let it fall; the 6-8 day DAC half-life instead holds elevation continuous, which may stress joints — most of all at high doses.
Can the DAC and non-DAC forms be swapped part-way through a cycle?
Mid-cycle switching is not recommended: the pharmacokinetics differ, with sustained elevation from DAC and pulsatile release from the non-DAC form. Excessive GH levels and unpredictable effects are the risk in combining them. The usual approach picks one variant at the outset and holds to it for the whole cycle.
References
- 1Human Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor (hGRF)1-29-Albumin Bioconjugates Activate the GRF Receptor on the Anterior Pituitary in Rats: Identification of CJC-1295 as a Long-Lasting GRF AnalogJette L, Bhore R, Bhatt DL, et al. · Endocrinology · 2005
Identified CJC-1295 as a long-acting GHRH analog through albumin bioconjugation (DAC technology). Binds covalently to endogenous albumin, extending half-life from minutes to days.
Animal in vivo · inferredPubMed 15817669 ↗ - 2Prolonged 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 AdultsTeichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Bhore R · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
Subcutaneous CJC-1295 produced sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1 in healthy adults. Half-life of ~8 days. Cumulative effect after multiple doses with well-preserved GH pulsatility.
Human RCTPubMed 16352683 ↗ - 3Pulsatile Secretion of Growth Hormone (GH) Persists During Continuous Stimulation by CJC-1295, a Long-Acting GH-Releasing Hormone AnalogIonescu M, Frohman LA · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
Basal (trough) GH levels increased 7.5-fold. Mean GH levels increased 46% and IGF-1 levels increased 45%. Pulsatile GH secretion preserved despite continuous GHRH receptor stimulation.
Human pilotPubMed 17018654 ↗ - 4Activation of the GH/IGF-1 Axis by CJC-1295, a Long-Acting GHRH Analog, Results in Serum Protein Profile Changes in Normal Adult SubjectsTeichman SL, et al. · Growth Hormone & IGF Research · 2009
Long-acting GHRH stimulation via CJC-1295 produces measurable changes in serum protein profiles reflecting sustained GH/IGF-1 axis activation.
Review · inferredPubMed 19386527 ↗
A review of growth hormone-releasing hormone and its analogues, CJC-1295 among them, spanning use in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, neuroprotection, and wound healing.