Growth Hormone Research

CJC-1295

Also referenced as: CJC-1295 DAC, modified GRF (1-29), tetrasubstituted GHRH analogue

A long-acting growth hormone releasing hormone analogue with published phase 1 human data and no outcome evidence.

Evidence grade: CEarly Human Research
Early Human Research
Regulatory status: Not FDA Approved
Not approved for any indication; prohibited in sport. Clinical development was discontinued.
Human data: Limited
No registered clinical trials identified
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026

Overview

CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH (1-29) analogue. The DAC (drug affinity complex) version binds covalently to albumin, extending activity from minutes to days.

Human phase 1 research showed it does what it was designed to do biochemically. Whether that produces any clinical benefit in healthy adults was never established.

Why It's Being Studied

Sustained stimulation of endogenous growth hormone secretion.
IGF-1 elevation and its downstream effects on body composition.
Growth hormone deficiency as a potential indication.

Mechanism of Action

In plain language

It tells the pituitary gland to release more of the body's own growth hormone, and it stays in the bloodstream for days rather than minutes.

Technical detail

CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue with four amino acid substitutions conferring resistance to DPP-4 and other proteases, plus a maleimido-propionamide linker in the DAC form that binds covalently to serum albumin cysteine-34. It stimulates pituitary somatotrophs through the GHRH receptor, preserving pulsatile GH release while raising trough levels and IGF-1.

Research Areas & Routes Studied

Areas studied

Growth hormone secretion
IGF-1
Body composition

Routes used in research

Subcutaneous injection (clinical research)

Evidence Summary

Early-phase human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic trials demonstrated sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation, but development stopped and no clinical outcome trials were completed.

Human clinical evidence

Phase 1 trials in healthy adults reported dose-dependent, sustained increases in GH and IGF-1 lasting days after a single dose.

Clinical trials

Development did not proceed to completed efficacy trials; a phase 2 programme was discontinued.

Anecdotal / community information

Frequently combined with ipamorelin in community protocols. Those combinations have no controlled human evidence.

Reported Adverse Events in Research

Injection-site reactions, flushing and headache were reported in early trials.
Sustained IGF-1 elevation raises theoretical concerns about insulin resistance, oedema, joint pain and neoplasia that were never resolved clinically.

Limitations of Current Evidence

Biochemical endpoints only; no data on strength, injury recovery, body composition outcomes or long-term safety.
No established human dosing protocol exists outside the trial doses reported in phase 1 research.

Documented Research Protocols

CJC-1295 — phase 1 trial administration as published
Summarise how CJC-1295 was administered in the published phase 1 human research, and what those studies measured.
View documented protocol

Research References

Phase 1 trial2006
Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GHRH, in healthy adults
Teichman SL, et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Population
Healthy adults
Main finding
Single doses produced sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation for up to several days.
Limitations
Small phase 1 study of biochemical endpoints only.
View Study

This page is an educational research summary. It is not medical advice, does not recommend human use, and does not provide individualised dosing. Many compounds discussed here are research use only and are not approved medicines.