CJC-1295 with DAC 2mg
A research-use long-acting GHRH analog entry for endocrine-axis context and safety review.
Contents
Use this guide as a structured review page. The same headings appear for every protocol so clients and the care team can scan the page consistently.
Important Note
This page is informational and does not authorize use. Peptify clients should complete assessment, disclose medications and health history, and follow the clinician-approved plan only.
- Do not start, stop, combine, or change a protocol based only on website content.
- Emergency symptoms require urgent medical care, not a website or routine follow-up message.
Quickstart Highlights
CJC-1295 DAC is a lab-made growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog. The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification lets the peptide bind serum albumin, stretching its half-life to roughly 6–8 days and producing a sustained, non-pulsatile rise in GH and IGF-1 — a so-called “GH bleed”[1][2]. This educational page outlines a once- or twice-weekly subcutaneous approach with a dilution chosen so doses land on easy-to-read insulin-syringe marks. It is an unapproved research chemical, not a medicine: clinical development was abandoned and there are no controlled human efficacy trials for body composition, performance, or anti-aging — presented for research and educational use only.
- Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water to one 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL (1,000 mcg/mL), a practical dilution for accurate dosing.
- 300–1000 mcg per injection, twice weekly (roughly 1–2 mg per week), titrated upward gradually because the DAC version is long-acting.
- At 1 mg/mL, 1 unit = 10 mcg (0.01 mL); 500 mcg = 50 units and 1000 mcg = 100 units on a U-100 syringe (units = dose ÷ 1 mg/mL).
- Lyophilized: store at −20 °C (−4 °F); once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze the solution.
- Important: Start with the Prep & Injection Guide — it covers the preparation and safety basics every protocol on this site assumes.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
A single practical dilution with accurate twice-weekly dosing, step by step
| Phase / Week(s) | Per-Injection Dose (2×/week) | Volume (U-100 units / mL) | Weekly Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 mcg (0.3 mg) | 30 units (0.30 mL) | 600 mcg/week |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | 50 units (0.50 mL) | 1000 mcg/week |
| Weeks 5–6 | 750 mcg (0.75 mg) | 75 units (0.75 mL) | 1500 mcg/week |
| Weeks 7–12 | 1000 mcg (1 mg) | 100 units (1.0 mL) | 2000 mcg/week |
- Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water to one 2 mg vial → final concentration 1 mg/mL (1,000 mcg/mL).
- Typical dose range: 300–1000 mcg per injection, twice weekly, raised gradually over an 8–12 week course.
- Easy measuring: At 1 mg/mL, 1 unit = 10 mcg (0.01 mL) on a U-100 syringe. Units = dose (mg) ÷ 1, so 1 mg lands at 100 units (1.0 mL).
- Storage: Lyophilized: store at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze the mixed solution.
- Frequency: two subcutaneous injections per week (e.g. Monday/Thursday), spaced 3–4 days apart. The extended 6–8-day half-life from the DAC modification is what supports less frequent dosing than non-DAC GHRH analogs[1][2]. Once-weekly schedules are also described. For very small volumes (≤0.10 mL), a 30- or 50-unit insulin syringe improves readability. These figures come from reference protocols, not from approved human dosing.
Reconstitution Steps
Draw 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Release it slowly down the vial’s inner wall to limit foaming.
- Swirl or roll gently until fully dissolved — don’t shake.
- Label with the date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), shielded from light.
- The 2.0 mL dilution gives a clean 1 mg/mL, where each 1-unit mark equals 25 mcg. Avoid freezing the reconstituted solution, since freeze–thaw can denature the peptide.
- Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.
Supplies Needed
Quantities below assume an 8–16 week course of twice-weekly injections with gradual titration.
- A 2 mg vial covers several weeks at twice-weekly dosing, so fewer vials are needed than with daily peptides.
- 8 weeks: ~3 vials
- 12 weeks: ~4 vials
- 16 weeks: ~6 vials
- Per week (2×): 2 syringes
- 8 weeks: ~16 syringes
- 16 weeks: ~32 syringes
- Use ~2.0 mL per 2 mg vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (3 vials): ~6 mL → 1 bottle
- 16 weeks (6 vials): ~12 mL → 2 bottles
- One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each injection.
- Per injection: 2 swabs
- 8 weeks (2×/week): ~32 swabs → 1 box
Protocol Overview
A concise summary of the twice-weekly regimen, drawn from commonly cited reference protocols.
- ▪Goal: Drive a sustained, non-pulsatile rise in GH and IGF-1 for research into the GH axis — an effect characterized in early pharmacology but never validated for body composition or performance in controlled human trials[1][2].
- ▪Schedule: Twice-weekly subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks, optionally extended to ~16 weeks.
- ▪Dose Range: 300–1000 mcg per injection with gradual titration (roughly 1–2 mg per week).
- ▪Reconstitution: 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water per 2 mg vial gives 1 mg/mL for accurate unit measurements.
- ▪Storage: Keep the dry vial frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); once mixed, refrigerate at 2–8 °C and do not freeze the solution.
Dosing Protocol
A suggested twice-weekly titration approach based on common reference doses.
- ▪Start: Begin at 300 mcg per injection, twice weekly, to gauge tolerability.
- ▪Titrate: Increase by roughly 250 mcg every two weeks as tolerated.
- ▪Target: Reach about 750–1000 mcg per injection by weeks 5–12.
- ▪Frequency: Twice per week, spaced 3–4 days apart; the DAC half-life carries levels between doses.
- ▪Timing: Inject at a consistent time (e.g. evenings) and rotate injection sites systematically.
Storage Instructions
Correct storage is what preserves the peptide’s stability and activity.
- ▪Lyophilized: Hold the dry vial at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions and limit moisture exposure[6].
- ▪Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within about 2–4 weeks; do not freeze the mixed solution, as freezing can denature peptides[7].
- ▪Handling: Let frozen vials warm to room temperature before opening so condensation won’t form, and keep the solution clear of heat and direct light.
- ▪Freeze–thaw: Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles of the reconstituted solution.
Important Notes
Practical points that keep administration safe and consistent.
- ▪Sterile technique: Use a fresh sterile U-100 insulin syringe each time and drop it straight into a puncture-proof sharps container afterward.
- ▪Site rotation: Move between abdomen, thighs and upper arms to reduce local irritation and lipohypertrophy[5].
- ▪Long-acting profile: Because the DAC version provides sustained release, hold to a consistent twice-weekly schedule rather than stacking extra doses; effects accumulate over days.
- ▪Recordkeeping: Log each dose, injection site and any observations to keep the protocol consistent.
- ▪Regulatory note: CJC-1295 is a GH-axis agent prohibited by WADA for athletic use and is not FDA-approved for human administration; its clinical development was abandoned[8].
How This Works
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary’s somatotroph cells and signals them to release growth hormone (GH)[3].
- The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version adds a small maleimide group that bonds covalently to serum albumin. Instead of clearing in minutes like native GHRH, the molecule then circulates for days — a half-life of roughly 6–8 days[1]. The trade-off is important: rather than reproducing the body’s natural pulses of GH, continuous receptor stimulation drives a sustained, non-pulsatile elevation of GH and IGF-1, often described as a “GH bleed.” Early pharmacology in healthy adults documented multi-fold, multi-day increases in both hormones[1][2].
- In research settings CJC-1295 DAC is frequently paired with a ghrelin-receptor agonist such as Ipamorelin, which acts on a separate receptor to amplify GH release. IGF-1, produced mainly in the liver in response to GH, is the downstream mediator of most GH-axis effects[4].
- Important caveat: the early human pharmacology measured only hormone levels, not clinical outcomes. Clinical development was abandoned, and there are no controlled human efficacy trials for body composition, athletic performance, or anti-aging. A sustained, non-physiological elevation of GH and IGF-1 also has an unestablished long-term safety profile, and chronically high IGF-1 is a recognized theoretical concern. Popular claims about muscle gain, fat loss, and recovery should be read as hypotheses, not established facts.
- CJC-1295 DAC is not an approved medicine. It is an unapproved research chemical presented here for research and educational purposes only.
Lifestyle Factors
Habits often discussed alongside GH-axis research protocols.
- ▪Nutrition: Keep protein intake adequate to support tissue maintenance; tailor energy intake to research goals.
- ▪Activity & rest: Pair appropriate resistance and aerobic work with genuine recovery time.
- ▪Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours; the body’s own largest GH pulse occurs during deep sleep[4].
- ▪Stress: Manage stress with evidence-based practices, since it influences hormonal balance.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
What the limited literature describes; outcomes in humans are not established and individual results vary.
- ▪GH / IGF-1 elevation (measured): Early pharmacology showed sustained, dose-dependent rises in GH and IGF-1[1].
- ▪Body-composition claims (unproven): Lean-mass and fat-loss benefits are inferred from GH-axis biology but have not been demonstrated for CJC-1295 in controlled human trials.
- ▪Pharmacokinetics: The DAC half-life of ~6–8 days is well characterized and underlies the infrequent dosing[1].
- ▪Note on evidence: No completed efficacy trials exist; development was abandoned, so all performance and anti-aging benefits remain unestablished[2].
- ▪Injection-site reactions: Mild redness, tenderness or soreness can occur; rotating sites helps.
- ▪GH-related effects: Transient flushing, headache, tingling, or fluid retention are described, consistent with raised GH/IGF-1.
- ▪Unknown long-term profile: Sustained, non-physiological GH/IGF-1 elevation has unestablished long-term safety; chronically high IGF-1 is a theoretical concern.
- ▪Sport restriction: GHRH analogs including CJC-1295 are WADA-prohibited for athletes.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous technique, following established clinical best-practice guidance[5][10].
- ▪Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- ▪Wipe the vial stopper with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry.
- ▪Choose a site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) and clean it with a fresh alcohol swab, letting it dry fully[10].
- ▪Draw the intended dose, then check for air bubbles and push any out.
- ▪Pinch a skinfold at the chosen site between thumb and forefinger.
- ▪Insert the needle into the pinch at a 45–90-degree angle (use 45 degrees if the fat layer is thin)[5].
- ▪Skip aspiration for subcutaneous shots — it isn’t needed[5].
- ▪Press the plunger slowly and steadily until it’s fully down.
- ▪Wait 5–10 seconds, then pull the needle straight out to prevent leakage.
- ▪Drop the used syringe straight into a puncture-proof sharps container — never recap a needle.
- ▪Return the reconstituted vial to the fridge right away.
- ▪Rotate the injection site each time to prevent irritation and lipohypertrophy[5].
- ▪Watch the site for excess redness, swelling, or signs of infection.
Recommended Source
For high-purity research peptides, we point researchers to Prime Lab Peptides.
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- ▪Cold-chain integrity: Temperature-controlled shipping and storage across the whole fulfilment chain.
- ▪Research-grade purity: Fit for educational and research use that demands high-quality peptides.
- Note: Product availability and specifications subject to change. Verify current product details on supplier website.
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References
Reference-derived details for CJC-1295 with DAC 2mg.
- CJC-1295 DAC (2mg Vial) Dosage Protocol Open source
- 1 J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2006) — Teichman SL et al. Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-1 secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting albumin-bound GHRH analog, in healthy adults. View Source ↗ Open source
- 2 J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2006) — Ionescu M, Frohman LA Pulsatile GH secretion persists during continuous CJC-1295 stimulation, but the net effect is a sustained, non-pulsatile rise in GH and IGF-1. View Source ↗ Open source
- 3 Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab (2006) — Alba M et al. Once-daily CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) normalizes growth in a GHRH-knockout mouse model — mechanistic GHRH-receptor activation. View Source ↗ Open source
- 4 StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) — Brinkman JE et al. Physiology, Growth Hormone — GH/IGF-1 axis, pulsatile secretion, and downstream signalling. View Source ↗ Open source
- 5 CDC Pink Book (Chapter 6) Vaccine administration: subcutaneous route — angle, site, and no-aspiration guidance. View Source ↗ Open source
- 6 Peptide Storage Guide (GenScript) Best practices for storing lyophilized peptides (temperature, humidity and light protection). View Source ↗ Open source
- 7 Bacteriostatic Water Guidance Bacteriostatic water for injection: multi-dose vial stability and handling. View Source ↗ Open source
- 8 WADA Prohibited List Growth-hormone secretagogues and GHRH analogs (including CJC-1295) are prohibited substances in competitive sport. View Source ↗ Open source
- 9 Postgrad Med J (2006) — Ayuk J, Sheppard MC Growth hormone and its disorders — physiology and risks of GH/IGF-1 excess. View Source ↗ Open source
- 10 Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center How to give a subcutaneous injection — patient guidance on technique and site rotation. View Source ↗ Open source