Peptide
CJC-1295
CJC-1295 is used or studied for increases gh/igf-1 and related growth hormone, recovery and performance goals. Potential benefits and safety depend on indication, formulation, dose, and medical supervision.
In depth
How it works
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland's somatotroph cells, prompting them to release growth hormone — the same receptor pathway the body's own GHRH uses, rather than introducing growth hormone directly.
Some versions include a "drug affinity complex" (DAC) that binds to albumin in the blood, extending the half-life to several days instead of minutes — the non-DAC version clears much faster and is typically dosed more often to mimic natural GH pulses.
What the research shows
A frequently cited 2006 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that after a single injection of the DAC form, GH levels rose 2- to 10-fold for six or more days, and IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days, with repeated dosing keeping IGF-1 elevated for up to 28 days — one of the few controlled human studies available for this compound.
CJC-1295 is not FDA approved for any indication and is sold as a research compound; long-term human safety data outside of short controlled studies is limited.
Safety and who should avoid it
Commonly reported effects include water retention, injection-site reactions, flushing, and numbness or tingling. Because it raises IGF-1, it is generally avoided by anyone with an active or suspected malignancy.
Detail
Overview
CJC-1295 is used or studied for increases gh/igf-1 and related growth hormone, recovery and performance goals. Potential benefits and safety depend on indication, formulation, dose, and medical supervision.
Benefits, side effects, and protocols
Benefits list
- Increases GH/IGF-1
Side effects
- Water retention
- numbness
Vendor protocol
- None listed
Clinical protocol
- None listed
Evidence
- Low
- Not FDA approved
Regulatory
- Not Fda Approved
Research
Mechanisms
Evidence notes
- Low
- Not FDA approved
Administration
Research links
Contraindications
- None listed
Components
- None listed
Regulatory data
- Not Fda Approved
Aliases
- None listed
Used in these stacks
Related compounds
Half-life
How long does CJC-1295 stay in your system?
Half-life ≈ 5.8–8.1 days — see what remains after any number of days, and when it is practically cleared.
Guides that cover CJC-1295
BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295 and ipamorelin: what the FDA has actually published about each, why “removed from Category 2” does not mean cleared, and what is still unlawful to compound.
CJC-1295, ipamorelin and MK-677 reliably raise growth hormone and IGF-1 in humans. What the trials have not shown is that raising those numbers produces the outcomes people take them for.
Anti-doping panels detect peptide hormones and secretagogues; standard workplace panels generally do not screen for them. Legality, detectability, and prohibition are three separate questions.
Terminology on this page
Concepts from the glossary that come up around CJC-1295.
A substance that causes a gland to secrete a hormone the body already makes, rather than supplying the hormone directly.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone — the hypothalamic signal that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Growth hormone-releasing peptides — ghrelin-mimetic compounds that trigger growth hormone release through a different receptor than GHRH.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 — the hormone, made largely by the liver in response to growth hormone, that mediates most of growth hormone’s effects.
Frequently asked questions
What does CJC-1295 do?
It mimics growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), signaling the pituitary gland to release more of the body's own growth hormone, rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?
No. CJC-1295 has never been approved by the FDA for any human therapeutic use.
Why is CJC-1295 often paired with ipamorelin?
CJC-1295 acts on GHRH receptors while ipamorelin acts on ghrelin receptors — two different pathways that both stimulate GH release. Combining them is intended to produce a GH release pattern closer to the body's natural pulsatile secretion than either compound alone.
What are the side effects of CJC-1295?
Commonly reported effects include water retention, flushing, injection-site reactions, and numbness or tingling.
Educational reference only. Pepperz does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing recommendations. Sourcing CJC-1295? Check your source before you use anything.