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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.

Interactive diagram

The growth hormone axis

Tap each stage to see what happens.

Hypothalamus: Releases GHRH (stimulates) and somatostatin (inhibits).

Background: Growth Hormone Research

Growth-hormone secretagogues do not contain growth hormone. They signal the pituitary to release the body's own GH, which then raises IGF-1, largely from the liver.

Because the natural feedback loop stays partly intact, GH release remains pulsatile. That distinguishes these compounds from injected HGH — but it does not make them risk-free, and most lack outcome trials.

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.

Evidence pyramid

Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for CJC-1295; tap to read it.

Human clinical trials
  • Phase 1 trials in healthy adults reported dose-dependent, sustained increases in GH and IGF-1 lasting days after a single dose.
  • Development did not proceed to completed efficacy trials; a phase 2 programme was discontinued.
Source breakdown

1 cited sources spanning 2006–2006.

  • Phase 1 trial1

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.

How to Read This Research

Questions to ask
  • Did the study measure IGF-1 only, or real outcomes such as body composition or function?
  • Which receptor does the compound act on — GHRH, ghrelin, or both?
  • Were glucose and insulin sensitivity tracked?
Reading tips
  • A rise in IGF-1 is a biomarker, not a benefit in itself.
  • Tesamorelin's approval is for a specific indication; that evidence does not transfer to other secretagogues.
GHRH
Growth-hormone-releasing hormone, made by the hypothalamus.
IGF-1
Insulin-like growth factor 1, the main downstream mediator of GH.
Secretagogue
A substance that causes another substance to be secreted.

Compare With Other Compounds

Compare side by side
CJC-1295Ipamorelin
Evidence gradeC — Early Human ResearchD — Preclinical Research
Regulatory statusNot FDA ApprovedNot FDA Approved
Human dataLimitedLimited
Clinical trialsNone identifiedNone identified
Research routesSubcutaneous injection (clinical research)Subcutaneous injection (research), Intravenous (clinical trials)
Cited sources12
Also in Growth Hormone Research
Ipamorelin · DSermorelin · BTesamorelin · A

Frequently Asked Questions

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.