Carl read the papersWhat it actually is
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of GHRH — the hormone that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone. It raises the amplitude of natural GH pulses and downstream IGF-1.
It comes in two forms: with DAC (drug affinity complex, long-acting) and without (‘Mod GRF 1-29’, short-acting). It’s almost always combined with a GH secretagogue for a stronger pulse.
How it’s thought to work
- GHRH mimicry — binds GHRH receptors to trigger GH release.
- Pulse amplitude — increases how much GH each natural pulse releases.
- IGF-1 rise — downstream IGF-1 increases over time.
- Synergy — works with secretagogues (Ipamorelin) on a separate receptor.
What the research says
Human pharmacology studies confirm it raises GH and IGF-1. Most performance/aesthetic use is off-label and community-driven rather than trial-backed.
- Raises GH/IGF-1 output.
- Recovery, sleep and body-composition goals (reported).
- Preserves natural pulsatility vs injected GH.
Reported protocols
These are the doses the peptide community actually reports running (Reddit & forums), alongside published research — logged for education, not as a recommendation to use.
| Parameter | Commonly reported range |
|---|---|
| Community dose | No-DAC (mod GRF): 100 mcg “saturation” dose; DAC: 1–2 mg / week |
| Frequency | No-DAC 1–3× daily; DAC weekly |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
| Cycle | ~12-week blocks |
| Community tip | Don’t exceed ~100 mcg/pulse — no extra benefit; stack with Ipamorelin, dose fasted & at bedtime |
Common use cases
| Goal | Community protocol notes |
|---|---|
| GH / IGF-1 support | 100 mcg + Ipamorelin, fasted pre-bed |
| Recovery & sleep | bedtime dosing rides the natural pulse |
| Body composition | 8–12 wk blocks |
Mixing it (reconstitution)
Freeze-dried peptides must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before they can be measured. Carl’s calculator turns “mg in the vial + ml of water + target dose” into “units on the syringe” — and tells you how long the vial lasts.
→ Open the Reconstitution Calculator
Injection & handling
SubQ — No-DAC (Mod GRF): 100 mcg, fasted and at bedtime, 1–3×/day; DAC: 1–2 mg once weekly. Almost always co-drawn with Ipamorelin. Keep a 2–3 h food gap around the shot. Refrigerate reconstituted.
Stacks it appears in
- Lean Signal — CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — GHRH + secretagogue for a stronger, cleaner GH pulse.
