CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Profile

Last updated: June 13, 2026

TL;DR

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is the classic growth hormone secretagogue stack – CJC-1295 (with or without DAC) extends GH release; Ipamorelin spikes natural GH pulses without raising cortisol, prolactin, or hunger. The 100 mcg + 200 mcg dose 5 nights/week for 12 weeks adds 1-2x bodyweight in lean muscle, accelerates fat loss, deepens sleep, and rebuilds connective tissue. Stack runs cleaner than HGH at a fraction of the cost. The standard “GH-without-the-side-effects” entry stack.

What is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin?

CJC-1295 is a synthetic GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) analogue. Ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin receptor agonist. Together they hit growth hormone release from two complementary angles: CJC tells the pituitary to ramp up GH production capacity, Ipamorelin tells it to release the stored GH in pulses. The stack mimics natural GH pulsatility instead of replacing GH like injectable HGH does.

How is this different from injectable HGH?

Major differences:

• Mechanism: CJC+Ipa stimulates your own pituitary; HGH replaces GH directly
• Pulsatility: CJC+Ipa preserves natural GH rhythm; HGH flatlines it
• Cost: CJC+Ipa is roughly 10x cheaper monthly
• Side effects: less water retention, less insulin resistance, no pituitary feedback shutdown
• Detection: CJC+Ipa shows in tests for 24-72 hours; HGH for 2-4 weeks via IGF-1 elevation

The stack is the right tool when you want elevated GH for body composition and recovery without the risks of replacing the GH axis. HGH is the right tool for diagnosed deficiency or for users who want pharmaceutical-grade elevation regardless of cost.

CJC-1295 with DAC vs no DAC?

DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a chemical modification that binds CJC-1295 to serum albumin:

• CJC-1295 with DAC: half-life 7-8 days; one dose lasts a week; produces a constant GH elevation (“GH bleed”)
• CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod-GRF 1-29): half-life 30 minutes; mimics natural GH pulse; injected with each Ipamorelin dose

Without DAC is closer to natural physiology – sharp pulses that the pituitary handles cleanly. With DAC produces a constant background elevation that some users prefer for muscle gain but some users avoid because it disrupts natural pulsatility. The classic stack uses no-DAC CJC paired with Ipamorelin 3-4x/day.

What dose should you run?

Standard protocol:

• CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg per injection
• Ipamorelin: 200-300 mcg per injection
• Timing: 2-3 injections per day – pre-bed mandatory, pre-workout, post-workout optional
• CJC-1295 (with DAC): 2 mg once per week, paired with Ipamorelin 200 mcg 2-3x/day

Pre-bed dose is the most important because it amplifies the natural overnight GH pulse. Skip it and you cut the most useful pulse in half.

When during the day should you inject?

Timing matters because food disrupts the GH response:

• Pre-bed: 60+ minutes after last meal, just before sleep
• Pre-workout: 30 minutes before training, fasted or with very low carbs
• Post-workout: 30 minutes after training, before post-workout meal
• Morning fasted: alternative to pre-workout

Carbs (especially fast carbs) before injection blunt the GH response by 50-70%. The 30-60 minute fasted window before and after injection is non-negotiable for maximum effect.

How long is a cycle?

Standard cycle:

• 12 weeks on, 4 weeks off, repeat
• 5 days per week dosing, 2 days off
• Effects build cumulatively over the first 4-6 weeks
• Plateau around week 8-10 – this is normal

Going longer than 12 weeks produces receptor desensitization. The 4-week off period restores GHRH and ghrelin receptor sensitivity. Most users run 2-3 cycles per year.

What results should you expect?

Realistic expectations over 12 weeks at 100/200 mcg:

• 2-5 lb lean muscle (depending on training and diet)
• Visible fat loss, especially abdominal
• Deeper sleep, more vivid dreams
• Faster recovery between training sessions
• Improved skin quality and tendon resilience
• Modest energy and mood improvements

Not steroid-tier gains. Not HGH-tier transformations. The stack is best understood as a clean GH amplifier – it makes your existing body composition trajectory faster, but it does not change the trajectory itself.

What are the side effects?

At standard doses (100 + 200 mcg):

• Injection-site flush or tingling (universal, fades in 5-15 minutes)
• Mild hunger spikes 30-60 min post-dose (more pronounced with DAC)
• Vivid or unusual dreams the first 1-2 weeks
• Slight water retention in fingers and ankles
• Slight numbness or tingling in extremities

No HPTA suppression. No appetite explosion (this is the Ipamorelin advantage over GHRP-2 or GHRP-6). No cortisol spike. The side effect profile is one of the cleanest in growth-related peptides.

How do you reconstitute and store?

Standard reconstitution for the stack:

• 5 mg CJC-1295 + 2 mL bacteriostatic water = 2500 mcg/mL (100 mcg = 4 IU on insulin syringe)
• 5 mg Ipamorelin + 2 mL bacteriostatic water = 2500 mcg/mL (200 mcg = 8 IU)
• Some users mix both peptides into a single vial to minimize injections

Reconstituted peptide stays stable refrigerated for 28-30 days. Lyophilized powder lasts 18-24 months in cool, dark, sealed storage. Our reconstitution guide walks through the syringe math.

Is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin legal in Canada?

Sold as research peptides in Canada. Not Health Canada approved for human consumption. WADA-prohibited in competition. Detection windows are short – CJC-1295 shows on urine tests for 48-72 hours, Ipamorelin for 24-48 hours after last dose.

Sources

• Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of GH stimulated by CJC-1295. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006.
• Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin: a selective ghrelin mimetic growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol, 1998.
• Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW. The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues. Sex Med Rev, 2018.
• WADA Prohibited List, current edition.