CJC-1295 DAC
A GHRH analogue with a Drug Affinity Complex that binds covalently to albumin - extending half-life to 6-8 days and enabling true once-weekly GH stimulation.
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Compound Profile
CJC-1295 DAC
Key Data
Research reference only
Research Focus
Preclinical data
⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. CJC-1295 DAC is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.
- Single injection raises GH levels for the entire week - dramatically superior convenience vs daily GHRH analogues
- Creates sustained IGF-1 elevation - 200-400% above baseline maintained continuously rather than in peaks
- Once-weekly protocol eliminates daily injection fatigue that often leads to compliance failure in long studies
- CJC-1295 DAC is not FDA-approved for human use. It is a research chemical for scientific study only.
Research At a Glance
- Single injection raises GH levels for the entire week - dramatically superior convenience vs daily GHRH analogues
- Creates sustained IGF-1 elevation - 200-400% above baseline maintained continuously rather than in peaks
- Once-weekly protocol eliminates daily injection fatigue that often leads to compliance failure in long studies
- Produces physiologically continuous GH stimulation, mimicking the 'bleed' of GHRH rather than discrete pulses
In Plain English
Simple summaryCJC-1295 DAC is the long-acting version of the growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue -- the DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification allows it to bind to albumin in your blood and stay active for 6–8 days from a single injection, compared to 30 minutes for the standard version. That extended action makes dosing simpler but also means less control over GH pulse timing. Most serious protocols pair it with ipamorelin because the two compounds hit different receptor types, and the combination produces 5–10x more GH than either alone. It's the same underlying molecule as Mod GRF 1-29 -- just stabilized differently.
- Single injection raises GH levels for the entire week - dramatically superior convenience vs daily GHRH analogues
- Creates sustained IGF-1 elevation - 200-400% above baseline maintained continuously rather than in peaks
- Once-weekly protocol eliminates daily injection fatigue that often leads to compliance failure in long studies
The full scientific detail, mechanisms, citations, and dosing data, follows below.
What is CJC-1295 DAC?
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CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) engineered for dramatically extended duration of action. While the peptide backbone is derived from the first 29 amino acids of native GHRH (1-29) with several amino acid substitutions to improve stability and receptor binding, the defining feature is the DAC technology: a maleimidopropionic acid (MPA) chemical moiety appended to the peptide that reacts with cysteine-34 on endogenous albumin after injection, forming a covalent amide bond.
This albumin conjugation strategy effectively converts CJC-1295 into a long-lasting depot within the bloodstream itself. Native albumin has a half-life of approximately 19 days; by covalently attaching to albumin, CJC-1295 DAC achieves a biological half-life of 6-8 days. A single subcutaneous injection results in sustained, continuous GHRH receptor stimulation throughout the week - a pharmacokinetic profile that no other GHRH analogue achieves.
The consequence of this sustained GHRH receptor activation is a persistent elevation of growth hormone secretion and, downstream, IGF-1 production. Research data suggests CJC-1295 DAC can raise mean IGF-1 levels by 200-400% above baseline and maintain this elevation for 28 days or more after a single injection, with the 200% elevation persisting well into the week post-injection. This is in stark contrast to shorter-acting GHRH analogues like Sermorelin or Mod GRF(1-29), which produce brief GH pulses lasting 2-3 hours.
The pharmacological distinction between pulse-based and continuous GH stimulation has significant implications for research. Endogenous GH is naturally secreted in pulses (primarily during sleep), and some researchers argue this pulsatility is physiologically important. Continuous GHRH stimulation from CJC-1295 DAC shifts the GH secretion pattern from pulsatile toward tonic - a fundamentally different physiological state. This makes CJC-1295 DAC particularly interesting as a research tool for studying the differential effects of pulsatile versus continuous GH signaling on body composition, metabolism, and organ function.
The body composition effects documented in research protocols are substantial. The combination of sustained IGF-1 elevation and continuous mild GH stimulation supports protein synthesis, fat oxidation, and connective tissue maintenance in a way that mimics the biological state of youthful GH secretion. Researchers studying age-related changes in body composition, sarcopenia, and metabolic health have found CJC-1295 DAC to be a valuable tool for recreating robust GH axis activity in subjects with diminished endogenous secretion.
CJC-1295 DAC is commonly combined with ghrelin mimetics such as Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, or GHRP-6 in research protocols. While the DAC version provides continuous background GHRH stimulation, the co-administration of a GHRP peptide creates an amplified GH pulse at the time of injection - combining both the pulsatile and tonic components of GH secretion and producing the most robust overall GH stimulation achievable with synthetic peptides.
By the Numbers
Key Research Benefits
Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on CJC-1295 DAC. See all Growth Hormone Secretagogues peptides for comparison.
Side Effects & Risks
Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports. View all peptides' side effects →
Dosing Data from the Literature
Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.
CJC-1295 with DAC research protocols focus on weekly administration given its extended half-life:
Standard dose: 1-2 mg subcutaneously once per week High-end research dose: 2 mg per week Frequency: Once weekly is standard; some protocols use bi-weekly at 1 mg
Unlike CJC-1295 without DAC (which requires daily or twice-daily dosing), the DAC version maintains continuous GHRH receptor stimulation throughout the week. The sustained IGF-1 elevation profile is the key pharmacological distinction.
Note: CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) has a 30-minute half-life and requires pulse-based administration 2-3x daily. These are pharmacologically distinct compounds despite similar names.
Administration in Research Settings
Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.
Reconstitute CJC-1295 DAC powder with bacteriostatic water (1-2 mL per vial). The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) technology means the peptide covalently binds to plasma albumin after injection, creating an endogenous depot. Administer subcutaneously, typically into the lower abdomen.
Once weekly injection on a consistent day. Many researchers combine an initial injection with a GHRP (such as Ipamorelin at 200-300 mcg) to create an amplified first-day GH pulse, then allow the sustained GHRH signal from CJC-1295 DAC to elevate baseline GH throughout the week.
What the research doesn't show
Sustained IGF-1 elevation from the DAC form over weeks or months hasn't been assessed for long-term safety in humans. The convenience of once-weekly dosing comes with less ability to stop or adjust the signal quickly if side effects emerge.
Research Video
Medical Expert Videos
Physicians, researchers, and pharmacologists explain CJC-1295 DAC, covering mechanisms of action, clinical context, and study findings.
Videos sourced from YouTube search. KnowYourPeptide does not endorse any individual creator. For research education only.
The Bottom Line
CJC-1295 DAC has a growing body of preclinical evidence and a well-characterised safety profile in research settings. The most-studied application is: single injection raises gh levels for the entire week - dramatically superior convenience vs daily ghrh analogues.
The most commonly reported side effect in research subjects is water retention due to sustained igf-1 elevation - more pronounced than with shorter-acting ghrh analogues. It is a research chemical, not approved for human use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Further
Quick Reference
Research Articles
- Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295: Two GHRH Analogues With Different Clinical Footprints7 min read
- CJC-1295 With DAC vs Without DAC: Understanding the Critical Difference7 min read
How It Compares
Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC) gives you sharper, more controllable GH pulses -- most researchers use it for this reason. The DAC version is more convenient but produces tonic rather than pulsatile GH elevation, which some consider less physiologic. Both are typically paired with ipamorelin.
Compare CJC-1295 DAC side-by-sideResearch Use Only
This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.