CJC-1295 (no-DAC)
Mod GRF 1-29 · Modified GRF (1-29) · CJC-1295 without DAC
Short-acting GHRH analog dosed for natural GH pulses
Overview
CJC-1295 (no-DAC), more precisely Modified GRF(1-29), is the short-acting form of the CJC-1295 GHRH analog without the albumin-binding Drug Affinity Complex. It carries the same four amino-acid substitutions that protect the GRF(1-29) backbone from DPP-4 degradation, but because it lacks the DAC tether it clears within about half an hour. That short window is the point: it produces a sharp, transient GH release rather than a multi-day elevation.
By mimicking the body's own GHRH signal in a brief burst, no-DAC CJC-1295 is intended to preserve the natural pulsatile pattern of growth-hormone secretion. This is why community protocols dose it one to three times daily — often timed to the overnight GH pulse and around training — and frequently pair it with a ghrelin-receptor agonist such as ipamorelin, which amplifies each pulse through a separate pathway.
This compound is not an approved drug. The dosing figures and schedules summarized here come from widely-reported community practice and early GHRH pharmacology, and are presented only as an educational research reference.
Key parameters
- Dose range
- 100 mcg per dose (community)
- Frequency
- 1–3× daily
- Half-life
- ~30 minutes
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Vial sizes
- 2 mg · 5 mg
- Regulatory status
- Not approved; research use only.
Mechanism of action
GHRH receptor agonism (pituitary somatotrophs)
Activates GHRH receptors on the anterior pituitary to trigger a discrete pulse of endogenous growth-hormone release.
DPP-4-resistant GRF(1-29) backbone
Amino-acid substitutions slow enzymatic breakdown relative to native GHRH, giving a slightly longer but still short-lived signal of roughly thirty minutes.
Preserved pulsatility
Because the peptide clears quickly, GH returns to baseline between doses, maintaining the physiological pulsatile rhythm rather than a continuous elevation.
Synergy with ghrelin agonists
When combined with a GHS-R agonist (e.g. ipamorelin), the GHRH and ghrelin pathways act on different receptors to produce a larger combined GH pulse than either alone.
Dosing protocol & phases
| Phase | Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (community) | Ongoing | 100 mcg per injection | Commonly 1–3× daily; the 100 mcg 'saturation dose' is the widely-cited per-injection amount. |
| Timing pattern | Ongoing | 100 mcg pre-bed (± post-workout) | Frequently timed to the overnight pulse and training; community-derived, not clinically validated. |
Reconstitution guide
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.
5 mg vial + 3 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration1,666.7 mcg/mL · 1.667 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 0.06 mL | 6 |
| 200 mcg | 0.12 mL | 12 |
| 300 mcg | 0.18 mL | 18 |
Recommended mix: a 100 mcg dose becomes a readable 0.06 mL (6-unit) draw instead of a sub-5-unit sliver.
2 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration1,000 mcg/mL · 1 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 0.1 mL | 10 |
| 200 mcg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
One-to-one mix where 100 mcg is exactly 0.1 mL (10 units).
Reconstitution calculator
Pre-filled with CJC-1295 (no-DAC)'s vial sizes. Adjust the water volume and target dose to see the exact draw, with warnings for doses that are hard to measure or won't fit a syringe.
At 666.7 micrograms per millilitre, a 100 microgram dose is 0.15 millilitres, or 15 units on a U-100 syringe, giving 20 doses per vial.
Supplies needed
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Recommended supply
CJC-1295 (no-DAC) — research vial
From our verified partner Dynotides, with a third-party certificate of analysis per batch.
Injection supplies
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Bacteriostatic water
Diluent for reconstituting lyophilized vials.
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Insulin syringes (U-100)
0.3–0.5 mL, 29–31 G for accurate small draws.
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Alcohol prep pads
Sterile swabs for the vial stopper and site.
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Sharps container
Safe disposal of used needles.
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Storage fridge
Keeps reconstituted vials at 2–8 °C.
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Insulated travel case
Cooled, TSA-friendly case for travel.
Missed-dose guidance
Given the ~30-minute half-life, a missed dose is simply skipped — there is no benefit to taking it late, and the next scheduled dose can be administered normally. Do not stack doses to 'catch up'. No approved-label guidance exists.
Side effects & safety
| Category | Effect | Trial incidence |
|---|---|---|
| Injection site | Redness, itching, or transient swellingMost frequently reported; usually mild and short-lived. | — |
| Neurological | Flushing or warmth after injectionBrief vasodilatory sensation common to GHRH-class peptides. | — |
| Neurological | Lightheadedness or transient headache | — |
| Fluid balance | Mild water retentionLess pronounced than long-acting DAC versions because exposure is brief. | — |
| General | Drowsiness after a bedtime dose | — |
Clinical trials & evidence
GHRH analog pharmacology (modified GRF 1-29 backbone)
Phase 1 / pharmacologyAcute, single and repeat dosing · Healthy adults
The DPP-4-resistant GRF(1-29) backbone evokes discrete, short-lived GH pulses; because the no-DAC form clears in roughly 30 minutes it raises GH transiently rather than producing the multi-day IGF-1 plateau seen with the DAC version.
Trial identifier needs verification
Combination with a ghrelin-receptor agonist
PharmacologyAcute · Healthy adults
Co-administration with a GHS-R agonist such as ipamorelin produces a larger combined GH pulse than either peptide alone, since the GHRH and ghrelin pathways act on separate receptors.
Trial identifier needs verification
Storage & handling
- Lyophilized
- Refrigerate the lyophilized powder at 2–8 °C, protected from light; brief shipping excursions to room temperature are generally tolerated.
- Reconstituted
- After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within ~4 weeks. Do not freeze.
Comparisons
| Vs. | Target | Half-life | Dosing | Efficacy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 DAC | GHRH (both) | ~30 min vs ~6–8 d | ~100 mcg 1–3× daily vs 1–2 mg weekly | Preserved pulsatility vs sustained tone | Both research-only |
| Sermorelin | GHRH (both) | ~30 min vs ~10–20 min | Daily (both) | DPP-4-resistant backbone gives a slightly longer, stronger signal | Research-only vs formerly approved (withdrawn) |
| Ipamorelin | GHRH vs ghrelin/GHS-R | ~30 min vs ~2 h | 1–3× daily (both) | Complementary — commonly stacked for additive pulses | Both research-only |
Featured in these stacks
CJC-1295 (no-DAC) + Ipamorelin
This is the classic growth-hormone-secretagogue pairing. CJC-1295 without DAC (a GHRH analog, also called Mod GRF 1-29) increases the amount of GH released per pulse, while Ipamorelin (a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist) triggers a clean GH pulse with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin.
Advanced Recomp (GH secretagogue + repair)
This is a body-recomposition construction that combines two goals in one protocol: amplifying the body's own growth-hormone output and supporting tissue recovery. The GH side uses the classic secretagogue pairing — CJC-1295 (no-DAC), a GHRH analog that increases the amount of GH released per pulse, plus ipamorelin, a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers a clean GH pulse without raising cortisol or prolactin. Acting on two different receptors, they amplify pulsatile GH and downstream IGF-1 more than either does alone.
Sources & references
- [1]Teichman SL et al. Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295 (context for the modified GRF(1-29) backbone). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;91(3):799-805. ↗ source
- [2]Sinha DK et al. Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues (review covering modified GRF 1-29). Transl Androl Urol 2020. ↗ source
- [3]Sermorelin / GHRH(1-29) pharmacology (PubMed). ↗ source
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?
The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds the peptide to albumin and extends its half-life to about a week. The no-DAC form lacks that group and clears in roughly thirty minutes, producing a short GH pulse instead of a sustained elevation — which is why it is dosed daily rather than weekly.
Is 'Mod GRF 1-29' the same thing?
Yes. Modified GRF(1-29) is the more accurate chemical name for CJC-1295 without DAC; the two terms are used interchangeably in community sources.
Why time it before bed?
The largest natural GH pulse occurs during early sleep. Dosing a short-acting GHRH analog pre-bed is intended to reinforce that pulse, and food (especially carbohydrate or fat) near the injection can blunt the GH response.
Related protocols
CJC-1295 DAC
CJC-1295 with DAC
Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation for ~6+ days per dose (early-phase data)
Ipamorelin
NNC 26-0161
Selective GH pulse with minimal cortisol or prolactin effect
Sermorelin
GRF 1-29
GHRH(1-29) — the shortest fully active GHRH fragment, dosed nightly to reinforce the natural GH pulse
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For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.