CJC-1295 (with DAC)

Overview

CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), based on the first 29 amino acids of the natural hormone. It carries substitutions that make it more resistant to breakdown by enzymes, plus a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that lets the peptide bind to albumin in the bloodstream. That albumin binding is what distinguishes it from the shorter-acting “without DAC” version and gives it a notably extended duration of activity.

It was originally developed as a candidate therapy by the biotechnology company ConjuChem in the mid-2000s. Early-phase human studies explored its ability to raise growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 over sustained periods, but it was never brought to market as an approved drug.

Today CJC-1295 with DAC is not approved by any major regulator and is sold only as a research chemical. It is commonly discussed alongside GH secretagogues such as ipamorelin, which act through a separate pathway.

How it works

GHRH is the natural signal that prompts the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. CJC-1295 mimics this signal, and because the DAC-bound form stays in circulation far longer, it has been studied for its ability to produce a prolonged elevation of GH and IGF-1 rather than a brief pulse.

In an early human study, researchers reported that GH secretion remained pulsatile even under this sustained stimulation, with the underlying rhythm preserved while baseline GH output rose. Animal work in GHRH-deficient mice similarly reported that the compound could support normal growth. The full picture of its long-term effects in humans is not established.

Reported benefits

• Sustained elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1 in early human studies
• Convenience of infrequent dosing due to its extended duration of action (studied, not a clinical endorsement)
• Interest in recovery, body composition, and sleep quality, largely from anecdotal reports
• Preserved natural pulsatility of GH secretion in a small human study

These are reported or studied effects, not guaranteed outcomes.

Considerations & side effects

Human data on CJC-1295 with DAC comes from a small number of early-phase studies, so its long-term safety profile is not well characterized. Commonly reported side effects in the peptide context are generally mild and include injection-site reactions, flushing, headache, and water retention. Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 is a theoretical concern that has not been fully studied over long periods.

Product purity varies widely in the research-chemical market, and material sold under this name may not match its label. It is not a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a qualified clinician.