Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed physician before considering any peptide. Never source peptides from unregulated online vendors.
CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are the growth hormone peptides everyone asks about — and among the few research peptides with published placebo-controlled human trials. Those trials measured hormone levels over days and weeks, not the muscle growth, fat loss, or “anti-aging” outcomes the peptides are marketed for.
For context, see our peptide dosage chart and complete peptide guide for beginners.
What Are These Peptides?
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Two versions: with DAC (long-acting, lasts days) and without DAC / modified GRF 1-29 (short-acting, clears in ~30 minutes). Ipamorelin is a five-amino-acid peptide mimicking ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor; it stimulates GH without significantly raising cortisol or prolactin. Combined, they produce a synergistic GH pulse via two independent pathways.
The Human Trials: What Teichman et al. Found
Teichman et al. (2006), Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism: two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults 21-61. A single DAC injection raised mean plasma GH 2- to 10-fold for 6+ days; IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days; half-life 5.8-8.1 days. After multiple doses, IGF-1 stayed above baseline up to 28 days. No serious adverse reactions. Ionescu & Frohman (2006): GH pulse frequency and magnitude unaltered — the peptide raised the “floor” without disrupting natural pulses. A 2015 study: modified GRF 1-29 plus a ghrelin mimetic reached 18.2 ng/mL peak GH vs 6.4 alone (2.8x synergy). Ipamorelin’s 117-patient bowel surgery trial: well tolerated but no better than placebo on the primary endpoint.
What the Trials Did NOT Show
No trial has shown increased muscle mass, fat loss, improved recovery, sleep quality, or anti-aging effects. No trial tested CJC-1295 + ipamorelin together for clinical outcomes. No long-term data exists — the longest trial ran 49 days.
Regulatory and Sports Status
Neither peptide is FDA-approved or eligible for routine compounding. Both are WADA-prohibited at all times. GH and IGF-1 are mitogenic; no clinical study has proven a cancer link, but the theoretical concern around chronic IGF-1 elevation is unanswered.
Side Effects Reported
Injection-site redness (most common), water retention, joint aches, increased hunger (ipamorelin), flushing, headache, potential blood sugar elevation.
The Bottom Line
CJC-1295 has the best human pharmacology data of any growth hormone peptide — real RCTs, real hormone elevations, preserved pulsatility. But pharmacology is not therapy. Until outcome trials exist, these remain interesting compounds with an unfinished evidence story.
This article is educational content, not medical advice. See Peptide Safety: Side Effects and What Doctors Want You to Know and our guide to finding a doctor who prescribes peptides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC? DAC lasts days (half-life 5.8-8.1 days); no-DAC clears in ~30 minutes for a brief naturalistic pulse.
Will CJC-1295/ipamorelin help me build muscle? No clinical trial has demonstrated this.
Are these peptides detectable in drug tests? Yes — WADA prohibits them.
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