CJC-1295 (with and without DAC)

Also referred to as CJC-1295 with DAC, CJC-1295 without DAC, Modified GRF 1-29.

Status: Investigational. CJC-1295 is not an FDA-approved drug product. It is a modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue studied in early human and preclinical research. Two distinct formulations circulate under the same general name: one incorporating a drug affinity complex (DAC) that is chemically modified to bind albumin, and one without it, often labeled 'Modified GRF 1-29.' These are a naming and formulation distinction, not a difference this page will characterize in terms of dosing or schedule. Current regulatory and compounding status for either version requires independent verification.

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) studied for its potential to stimulate growth hormone release. It exists under two related names describing different chemical formulations, one with a drug affinity complex (DAC) and one without, often called Modified GRF 1-29; this is a naming and formulation distinction, not a statement about how either is used. Neither form is an FDA-approved drug product, and human evidence for either remains limited. This page explains the naming clearly and separates it from any claim of approval or established benefit.

What it is

CJC-1295 is a synthetic peptide analogue of GHRH designed to stimulate the pituitary gland's release of growth hormone. The version described as 'with DAC' incorporates a drug affinity complex, a chemical modification intended to bind reversibly to albumin in the bloodstream, which is proposed in the literature to extend how long the peptide remains active in circulation compared with the unmodified form. The version 'without DAC' is chemically closer to the natural GHRH fragment and is sometimes labeled Modified GRF 1-29. Both are peptides studied in research contexts rather than approved medications.

Why people ask about it

Patients often encounter CJC-1295 discussed alongside ipamorelin in informal online protocols and want to understand what the 'with DAC' versus 'without DAC' naming actually means, since it is frequently used inconsistently or confusingly in non-clinical sources. Others are simply trying to understand whether either form has any regulatory standing.

Proposed mechanism

As a GHRH analogue, CJC-1295 is proposed to bind GHRH receptors in the pituitary and stimulate growth hormone release, similarly in principle to endogenous GHRH signalling. The DAC modification is proposed, based on pharmacokinetic characterization in early studies, to alter how the peptide circulates in the bloodstream by binding albumin, a property distinct from the receptor-level mechanism itself. This proposed pharmacokinetic difference is described in early pharmacology literature and has not been confirmed through large controlled human outcome trials for either form.

What researchers have studied

  • Receptor binding and pituitary growth hormone release in early human pharmacology studies
  • Pharmacokinetic characterization of the DAC-modified form versus the non-DAC form
  • IGF-1 marker changes following administration in small studies
  • Preclinical characterization of GHRH receptor activity
  • Comparative discussion of naming and formulation in the compounding and research literature

Human evidence

  • Some early-phase human pharmacology work has examined growth hormone and IGF-1 responses to GHRH analogues in this class, but published, well-controlled efficacy trials specific to CJC-1295 are limited.
  • Evidence distinguishing clinical outcomes between the DAC and non-DAC forms in humans is sparse; most public discussion of the difference is pharmacokinetic rather than outcome-based.
  • No large trials establishing benefit for body composition, recovery, or sleep outcomes were identified.
  • Long-term human safety data for either formulation has not been systematically established in the published literature.

Preclinical evidence

  • Animal pharmacokinetic studies characterizing the albumin-binding behavior of the DAC modification.
  • Cell-based receptor binding studies at the GHRH receptor.
  • Early preclinical work describing growth hormone secretion patterns following administration.

What is not yet known

  • Whether either form produces durable, clinically meaningful effects on body composition or recovery in humans has not been established.
  • How the DAC and non-DAC forms compare in real-world human outcomes rather than pharmacokinetic markers alone.
  • Long-term safety of repeated use of either form.
  • Current, jurisdiction-specific compounding legality for either formulation.
  • How compounded products described as CJC-1295 vary in composition and purity from one source to another.

Regulatory status and access

CJC-1295, with or without DAC, is not an FDA-approved product, and any compounded availability is a separate regulatory question from approval. The distinction between the two forms is a matter of chemical formulation and naming, not a claim this page makes about relative appropriateness. Ask about current availability. Only a physician can determine whether either form is appropriate to discuss after an evaluation.

Known and potential risks

  • Grey-market sourcing risk applies to both forms, since neither is an FDA-approved, quality-controlled product.
  • Naming confusion between 'with DAC' and 'without DAC' products online increases the risk of a patient or supplier misrepresenting what a given product actually contains.
  • Effects on other pituitary hormones and long-term growth hormone axis stimulation are not fully characterized in humans.
  • Injection site reactions have been informally reported with GHRH-analogue peptides generally.
  • Any active malignancy raises theoretical concern given the growth hormone axis mechanism.
  • Lack of long-term controlled human safety data leaves meaningful uncertainty for either formulation.

Cautions and who may not be a candidate

  • Active malignancy or unresolved oncologic history.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Undiagnosed symptoms not yet medically evaluated.
  • Known pituitary or hypothalamic disorders without specialist input.
  • Situations where the specific product's composition and compounding legality cannot be confirmed.

Questions to discuss with a physician

  • What exactly is meant by 'with DAC' versus 'without DAC' in terms of formulation, and why might that distinction matter clinically?
  • What does the current human evidence show for either form, separate from informal online claims?
  • What is the current compounding and regulatory status where I am located?
  • How would product quality and composition be verified for either formulation?
  • What monitoring would be considered if this were ever discussed further?
  • How does the evidence for CJC-1295 compare with other growth hormone axis options?

Frequently asked questions

Is CJC-1295 FDA-approved?

No. CJC-1295, in either the DAC or non-DAC form, is not an FDA-approved drug product. It remains investigational.

What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?

This is primarily a naming and chemical formulation distinction. The DAC version includes a drug affinity complex modification proposed to affect how the peptide circulates in the bloodstream, while the non-DAC version, sometimes called Modified GRF 1-29, is chemically closer to the natural GHRH fragment. This page does not characterize the distinction in terms of dosing or schedule.

Does GOAL.MD sell CJC-1295?

This page is educational content, not an offer of sale. Ask about current availability, and only a physician can determine appropriateness after an evaluation.

Is one form of CJC-1295 safer than the other?

There is not enough published human outcome data to make a confident comparative safety claim between the two forms; most available information is pharmacokinetic rather than outcome-based.

Is CJC-1295 the same as ipamorelin?

No. They are often discussed together informally because both relate to growth hormone release, but CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue while ipamorelin acts through a different receptor pathway, the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

What does the human evidence show for CJC-1295?

Human evidence is early and limited, mostly consisting of small pharmacology studies looking at hormonal markers rather than large trials establishing clinical benefit.

Can compounding pharmacies legally prepare CJC-1295?

This depends on current regulatory determinations that can vary and change over time; it should be verified directly rather than assumed, and compounding availability is separate from FDA approval in any case.

What are the main risks associated with CJC-1295?

Key concerns include unregulated sourcing and product quality, naming confusion between formulations, incomplete long-term human safety data, and general growth hormone axis considerations such as effects on other pituitary hormones.

Who should not consider CJC-1295?

People with active malignancy, pregnancy or breastfeeding, undiagnosed symptoms, or known pituitary disorders should not consider it without specialist evaluation and should raise it only as a topic for physician discussion.

This page is educational. Nothing here can be ordered, and nothing here is a prescription or medical advice. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved. To ask about current availability, visit goal.md/peptides/connect or call or text 314-907-3103.

Medically reviewed by Michael Fitch, MD, MD. Last reviewed 2026-08-13.