Machine-assisted translation — the German original version is authoritative.
Growth Hormone System
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Modified GRF (1-29) · GHRH-Analogon + GHRP · Ipamorelin
CJC-1295 (a GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (a selective growth hormone secretagogue) are combined in research to stimulate the body's own pulsatile release of growth hormone (HGH). Both are research peptides without approval for human use and prohibited in sport.
Regulatory status
Not approved for humans
Research peptides without approval — interference with the hormone axis without an established safety profile.
Drug class
GHRH analogue (CJC-1295) + selective ghrelin/GH secretagogue receptor agonist (ipamorelin)
Half-life (informative)
Ipamorelin short (on the order of ~2 hours); CJC-1295 "without DAC" short, "with DAC" markedly longer (in the range of days).
Studied in the literature
Subcutaneous in investigations. No approved human use.
Mechanism of action
As a selective secretagogue, ipamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor and stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone without appreciably raising cortisol or prolactin. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) that amplifies this release signal. In research, the two are combined because they act at different points of the GH axis and thus complement each other.
The DAC/non-DAC variants of CJC-1295 differ considerably pharmacokinetically — a frequent source of confusion.
Research history
Ipamorelin was characterized in the late 1990s as a highly selective GH secretagogue (work by Raun et al. among others). CJC-1295 originates from GHRH analogue research; a variant "with DAC" (Drug Affinity Complex) has a markedly longer half-life than the variant "without DAC". Neither has been developed beyond the research stage into approved medicines.
Regulatory status by region
Not approved medicines; no established human use.
GH secretagogues and GHRH analogues are on the WADA prohibited list (category S2).
Research areas
- Research on the growth hormone/IGF-1 axis
- Body composition (limited body of data)
- Sleep and recovery research (preclinical/limited)
Documented effects (from the literature)
- Reported include water retention and reactions at the injection site.
- Increase in growth hormone and, downstream, IGF-1.
Safety concerns & caution
- Interfering with the hormone axis can affect glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
- Long-term safety of the combination is not established.
- Theoretical risks of a sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation are not conclusively resolved.
Risks of gray-market purchase
- Sold as "research peptides"; purity, identity and sterility unassured.
- Confusing the DAC/non-DAC variant can strongly alter the effect profile.
- In 2025 an injectable CJC-1295 batch was recalled due to a lack of sterility assurance (FDA Class II recall); the FDA additionally warns of immune reactions up to and including anaphylaxis.
Frequently asked questions
What do "with DAC" and "without DAC" mean for CJC-1295?
DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) markedly extends the half-life. Without DAC, CJC-1295 acts briefly; with DAC, over days — pharmacologically two very different profiles.
Why are two peptides combined?
They act at different points of the GH axis (amplifying the GHRH signal vs. secretagogue). In research this is described as complementary.
Are they permitted in sport?
No. GH secretagogues and GHRH analogues are on the WADA prohibited list.
Are the risks of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin only theoretical?
No. In 2025 an injectable CJC-1295 batch was recalled due to a lack of sterility assurance (FDA Class II recall). In an FDA safety assessment of several of these peptides, adverse events up to and including deaths occurred, and the agency warns of immune reactions up to anaphylaxis. Both peptides are not approved and are prohibited in sport (WADA S2).
Sources
Primary and reference sources for your own reading.
Related substances
Unfamiliar terms? Look them up in the glossary or read the fundamentals.
This profile is for information and education only. It is not medical advice and deliberately contains no dosing or usage details. Decisions about use belong in a doctor’s hands.