- Mechanism
- Stimulates sustained GH and IGF-1 release
- Typical research dose
- 30-60 mcg/kg weekly (research)
- Route
- subcutaneous
- Half-life
- 6-8 days
- Legal status
- research-only
Overview
CJC-1295 (With DAC) is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) engineered with a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) to extend its half-life. This structural modification allows the CJC-1295 (With DAC) peptide to bind to endogenous serum albumin, significantly prolonging its circulation time compared to standard GHRH. By stimulating the pituitary gland, it promotes a sustained release of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), making it a critical tool in research focused on muscle growth, metabolic regulation, and anti-aging therapies.
Potential Benefits
- Sustained Growth Hormone Release: The Drug Affinity Complex allows for continuous pituitary stimulation, elevating baseline growth hormone levels for up to a week (Teichman et al., 2006).
- Increased IGF-1 Levels: By elevating growth hormone, this peptide drives sustained increases in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is crucial for cellular repair.
- Enhanced Muscle Hypertrophy: Research indicates that elevated IGF-1 and growth hormone levels facilitate increased protein synthesis, potentially accelerating muscle growth in animal models.
- Improved Fat Metabolism: Sustained growth hormone secretion promotes lipolysis, helping researchers investigate the CJC-1295 (With DAC) benefits for targeted fat loss.
- Accelerated Injury Recovery: The peptide's ability to upregulate systemic growth factors makes it a subject of interest for accelerating the healing of musculoskeletal injuries.
Where to Buy CJC-1295 (With DAC)
Research compound. CJC-1295 (With DAC) is a research chemical, typically not FDA-approved for human consumption. Sale or use for human consumption may be illegal in your jurisdiction.
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Verify third-party COAs and consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any compound.
Side Effects
Common side effects:
- Injection site reactions including erythema and swelling
- Transient flushing or warmth post-injection
- Mild water retention or edema
- Headaches or dizziness
- Increased fatigue or lethargy
Rare or serious side effects:
- Insulin resistance or altered blood glucose levels
- Carpal tunnel syndrome due to severe fluid retention
- Pituitary gland hyperstimulation
- Joint pain or arthralgia
CJC-1295 (With DAC) is not FDA-approved and is intended for research purposes only. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
Mechanism of Action
Receptor Activation and Hormonal Release define the primary mechanism of the CJC-1295 (With DAC) peptide. It functions as a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) mimetic, binding selectively to GHRH receptors on the anterior pituitary gland. This triggers a signaling cascade that stimulates the continuous secretion of endogenous growth hormone (GH) without disrupting the body's natural pulsatile release pattern. Consequently, elevated GH levels stimulate the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which mediates most downstream anabolic effects.
The Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) Technology distinguishes this peptide from other GHRH analogs like modified GRF (1-29). The DAC moiety is a reactive maleimidopropionic acid group that covalently binds to circulating serum albumin immediately upon subcutaneous injection. This bioconjugation protects the peptide from rapid enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV). As a result, it extends the half-life from mere minutes to approximately 6 to 8 days, allowing for steady-state hormonal elevation with infrequent dosing.
Origin & History
Discovery and Development of CJC-1295 (With DAC) was spearheaded by ConjuChem Biotechnologies in the early 2000s. Researchers sought to overcome the extremely short half-life of natural GHRH and its early synthetic counterparts, which required multiple daily injections. By applying their proprietary Drug Affinity Complex technology, scientists successfully created a bioconjugated peptide that maintained receptor affinity while drastically improving pharmacokinetic stability. Early clinical trials demonstrated its profound ability to elevate GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy human subjects for extended periods.
Regulatory Status and Clinical Trajectory have shifted since its initial development phase. Although early phase II clinical trials investigated its potential for treating lipodystrophy and growth hormone deficiency, development was eventually halted following reports of adverse events in specific patient populations. Today, the peptide remains strictly classified as a research-only chemical. It is not approved by the FDA for human consumption, and ongoing studies primarily focus on understanding the long-term CJC-1295 (With DAC) side effects and its physiological impact.