CJC-1295 (no DAC)

What it is

CJC-1295 (No DAC) is a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, a synthetic peptide built to mimic GHRH, the hormone that signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The "No DAC" designation distinguishes it from a longer-acting version of CJC-1295 that includes a drug affinity complex (DAC); this shorter version clears from the body more quickly. Because GHRH analogs like CJC-1295 act on the pituitary gland's own receptors, they are studied as working with the body's existing hormone signaling rather than replacing it outright.

In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under growth hormone, the same category as sermorelin and tesamorelin, and it is almost always studied and used alongside ipamorelin, a separate compound from a different class of growth hormone secretagogues.

How it's thought to work

CJC-1295 (No DAC) is studied for amplifying and extending the body's natural pulse of growth hormone release, rather than supplying growth hormone directly. Research describes it as working synergistically, meaning with an enhanced combined effect, alongside ghrelin-mimetic compounds such as ipamorelin, which act through a separate receptor pathway, so the two together are studied for producing a stronger effect than either compound would on its own. This pulsatile pattern is considered relevant because growth hormone is naturally released in bursts rather than as a steady stream, and GHRH analogs are studied for supporting that natural rhythm rather than producing a constant elevation.

What the research says

Research on CJC-1295 (No DAC) shows amplified growth hormone release when it is combined with GHRP-class compounds like ipamorelin, compared with either compound studied on its own. It is not FDA-approved, and formal human clinical trial data specific to this combination is limited.

Reported side effects

Reported side effects include water retention, flushing (a warm, reddened feeling in the skin), headache, and dizziness, a profile similar to that reported for ipamorelin, which is consistent with the two compounds' shared effect on growth hormone release.

Reconstitution

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 2 mg and 5 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.

Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water, that works out to 5,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 2,500 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 2,500 × 0.01 = 25 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.

Important notes

The "No DAC" version of CJC-1295 has a shorter half-life, meaning it stays active in the body for less time than the DAC version, and it is generally preferred by researchers aiming for a pulsatile pattern of growth hormone release that mirrors the body's natural rhythm rather than a constantly elevated level.

Frequently asked questions

These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.

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