CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Research Guide
Growth hormone secretagogue research stack
The CJC-1295 plus Ipamorelin blend pairs two complementary growth-hormone-axis peptides into a single research preparation. CJC-1295 (the No DAC variant) acts on the GHRH receptor, while Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor. Together they produce a coordinated endogenous GH pulse with minimal effect on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite.
Contents
|
GHRH + ghrelin Dual pathway |
Selective No prolactin/cortisol rise |
Pulsatile GH release pattern |
What is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin?
This blend contains two distinct peptides. CJC-1295 No DAC (without Drug Affinity Complex) is a tetrasubstituted GHRH analogue with a 30-minute plasma half-life — long enough for practical research dosing but short enough to maintain a pulsatile rather than sustained GH release pattern. Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide GHRP that activates the ghrelin/GHS receptor with high selectivity.
The two peptides act on completely separate receptors that both converge on growth hormone release. Researchers studying the GH axis use this combination because the two pathways amplify each other: GHRH stimulation alone produces a moderate GH pulse, and ghrelin agonism alone produces a moderate pulse, but combined they produce a much larger synergistic release.
Aeternum Labs supplies the CJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin Blend as a single lyophilized vial. Each batch is verified to 99%+ purity by HPLC for both compounds, with full Certificate of Analysis published.
Mechanism of action
CJC-1295 No DAC binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotropes, increasing intracellular cAMP and triggering GH release from secretory granules. The 30-minute half-life is achieved through tetrasubstitution (D-Ala, Gln, Ala, and Leu substitutions in the native GHRH sequence) that resists dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage.
Ipamorelin binds the ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor, also expressed on somatotropes. Receptor activation drives a different intracellular pathway than GHRHR (involving phospholipase C and IP3) but converges on the same outcome: vesicle release of stored growth hormone.
The selectivity of Ipamorelin is its defining feature. Unlike earlier ghrelin agonists (GHRP-6, GHRP-2, hexarelin) that also stimulate cortisol, prolactin, and appetite, Ipamorelin produces almost pure GH release without these collateral effects. This makes it the preferred GHRP for research designs where confounding hormones must be controlled.
Combined, the two peptides produce a GH pulse 2-3 times larger than either alone, while maintaining the pulsatile pattern that endogenous GH release follows in healthy physiology.
Research history
CJC-1295 was developed by ConjuChem in the 2000s. The original DAC variant included a Drug Affinity Complex that bound albumin, producing a multi-week half-life. The No DAC variant lacks this albumin-binding modification, giving the shorter pulsatile profile that most research uses.
Ipamorelin was developed by Novo Nordisk and characterized in the late 1990s by Raun et al. as the first GHRP with selectivity for GH release without parallel cortisol or prolactin elevation. This selectivity launched ipamorelin as the reference compound for GHRP research.
Combined administration of GHRH analogues and selective GHRPs emerged as a research strategy through the 2000s, based on the observation that the two pathways synergize at the pituitary. The CJC-1295 No DAC plus Ipamorelin combination became one of the most-studied dual peptide stacks for GH-axis research.
Half-life and pharmacokinetics
CJC-1295 No DAC has a plasma half-life of approximately 30 minutes. Subcutaneous administration produces peak GH release within 30-60 minutes, with the pulse decaying over the next 2-3 hours.
Ipamorelin has a plasma half-life of approximately 2 hours. Combined administration produces overlapping activity windows where both pathways are active simultaneously, maximizing the synergistic effect.
Typical research doses
Research dose ranges typically use CJC-1295 No DAC at 100-300 microgram per administration and Ipamorelin at 100-300 microgram per administration, given together by subcutaneous injection. The 1:1 ratio is the most common starting point.
Frequency in research designs is most commonly twice daily (before sleep and either morning or post-exercise), aligning with natural GH pulse timing. Some protocols use three-times-daily administration to maximize total GH exposure across a 24-hour cycle.
Compliance reminder
All dose ranges discussed are reported from peer-reviewed in vitro and animal research. They are not human-use dose recommendations.
Reconstitution protocol
Lyophilized peptides require reconstitution with a sterile solvent before any in vitro work. The standard solvent across virtually all research-peptide protocols is bacteriostatic water (sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol), which prevents microbial growth across the typical four-week working window once a vial is opened.
Add the solvent slowly down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the lyophilized cake. Swirl gently until the powder dissolves fully. Do not shake — agitation can denature peptide bonds and reduce assay potency. A clear, particle-free solution should result within thirty to sixty seconds.
Volume calculations are straightforward. For a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 0.1 mL of the resulting solution contains 0.5 mg of peptide. Researchers planning multi-week protocols should compute their volumes ahead of time and document the lot number against each preparation.
Storage and stability
Sealed lyophilized vials are stable at 0°F (−18°C) for up to twenty-four months in most research literature. Vials should be kept dry, light-protected, and away from temperature fluctuations. Avoid storing peptides in the freezer door, where each open-close cycle introduces thermal stress.
Once reconstituted, store the working solution at 36–46°F (2–8°C). Most lyophilized peptides remain stable in solution for twenty-eight days under refrigeration with bacteriostatic water as the diluent. For protocols longer than four weeks, reconstitute fresh batches as needed rather than extending a single working vial.
Repeated freeze-thaw cycles reduce peptide integrity. If long-term storage of a reconstituted sample is required, aliquot the solution into single-use volumes before freezing so each thaw uses a fresh aliquot.
Common stack pairings
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin + Tesamorelin (extended GH-axis research)
Tesamorelin’s 26-minute GHRH analogue activity overlaps with CJC-1295’s 30-minute window, while Ipamorelin’s ghrelin activity adds a parallel mechanism. The triple combination is researched for designs requiring sustained GH-axis activation.
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin + BPC-157 (recovery research)
GH-axis activation supports systemic IGF-1 elevation while BPC-157 provides local tissue repair effects. The combination is researched for recovery-focused endpoints across tissue types.
How it compares
Compared to CJC-1295 with DAC: The DAC variant has a 7-10 day half-life that produces sustained GH elevation. The No DAC variant produces pulsatile GH release that better matches natural physiology. Research questions differ on which pattern is preferred.
Compared to Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin has a shorter half-life (26 min vs 30 min for CJC No DAC) but is approved for clinical use in HIV lipodystrophy with extensive human data. CJC-1295 lacks clinical approval but is widely used in research.
Compared to other GHRPs (GHRP-6, hexarelin, MK-677): Ipamorelin’s selectivity for GH without cortisol or prolactin makes it preferred for clean GH-axis research. The non-selective GHRPs are useful when broader hormonal effects are part of the research design.
From the Aeternum library
CJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin Blend
- 99%+ purity verified by HPLC for both peptides
- Mass spec sequence confirmation of both compounds
- LAL endotoxin screening
- Full Certificate of Analysis published
- Lyophilized blend, single vial
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?
The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification binds the peptide to serum albumin, extending its plasma half-life to 7-10 days. Without DAC, the half-life is approximately 30 minutes. The DAC version produces sustained GH elevation; the No DAC version produces pulsatile GH release that better matches natural physiology.
Why combine CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin?
The two peptides act on different receptors (GHRHR and ghrelin receptor) that both trigger GH release through distinct intracellular pathways. Combined, they produce a GH pulse 2-3 times larger than either alone — a synergistic effect that is the main reason for the blend.
Why is Ipamorelin preferred over other GHRPs?
Ipamorelin produces selective GH release without significantly elevating cortisol, prolactin, or appetite. Earlier GHRPs (GHRP-6, GHRP-2, hexarelin) produce GH release alongside these collateral effects. The selectivity makes Ipamorelin preferable for clean GH-axis research.
What dose ranges are used in research?
Most published research uses 100-300 microgram of each peptide per administration, given together subcutaneously. Frequency is typically twice daily (before sleep and either morning or post-exercise), aligning with natural GH pulse timing.
How is the blend reconstituted?
Standard peptide reconstitution applies: bacteriostatic water added slowly down the inside wall of the vial, gentle swirl until both peptides dissolve into a clear solution. Both peptides are stable in bacteriostatic water for approximately twenty-eight days under refrigeration.
References
- Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. (2006). Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. View source
- Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. (1998). Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. View source
- Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW (2018). The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues. View source
Reviewed by
The Aeternum Labs Research Team
Compounds, COAs, and protocol design
The Aeternum Labs research team verifies every batch in our library against published purity and identity standards. Articles in our research blog summarize publicly available scientific literature and are reviewed for accuracy by team members trained in peptide biochemistry and laboratory protocol design.
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Research Disclaimer. All compounds discussed in this article are sold by Aeternum Labs for in vitro laboratory research purposes only. They are not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease or condition. Information presented is summarized from publicly available scientific literature and should not be construed as medical advice.