CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin: Dosage & Timing Guide

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are research peptides studied for stimulating the body's own growth hormone (GH) release. Research and clinical protocols commonly cite CJC-1295 (no-DAC) at ~100 mcg and ipamorelin at ~200–300 mcg per dose, injected together. Human evidence is limited, and neither is FDA-approved. This guide covers dosing parameters, timing, and legal status.

CJC-1295 + ipamorelin at a glance

• Class: GH secretagogue stack — CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog; ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist
• Commonly cited dose (no-DAC CJC-1295): ~100 mcg CJC-1295 + ~200–300 mcg ipamorelin per injection [VERIFY: exact per-dose figures vary across sources; no FDA-labeled dose exists]
• Frequency: often cited as once daily, sometimes 1–2x/day, 5 days on / 2 off in some protocols
• Timing: typically before bed or fasted, to align with natural nocturnal GH pulses
• Route: subcutaneous injection (research/clinical context)
• CJC-1295 with DAC variant: longer-acting; cited far less frequently, ~1–2x/week
• Best-studied for (separately, mostly older trials): raising GH/IGF-1 levels in healthy adults
• FDA status (2026): not approved; removed from the Category 2 503A bulks list but never placed in Category 1 — not eligible for legal compounding

What are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin?

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are two synthetic peptides frequently paired together because they raise growth hormone through two different mechanisms.

CJC-1295 is an analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It comes in two forms. The "modified GRF (1-29)" or "no-DAC" version is short-acting. The "with-DAC" (Drug Affinity Complex) version adds a chemical group that binds to albumin in the blood, dramatically extending its half-life. In healthy adults, a single subcutaneous dose of CJC-1295 with DAC raised mean plasma GH 2- to 10-fold for six days or more and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days, with an estimated half-life of 5.8–8.1 days (Teichman et al., 2006, J Clin Endocrinol Metab).

Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide that mimics ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and acts on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pituitary. It was described as "the first selective growth hormone secretagogue" because, unlike earlier peptides such as GHRP-6, it released GH without meaningfully raising cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin in animal models (Raun et al., 1998, Eur J Endocrinol).

For a broader overview, see our growth hormone peptides guide.

How do CJC-1295 and ipamorelin work together?

The two peptides act on separate receptors that converge on the same goal: prompting the pituitary's somatotroph cells to release a pulse of GH.

CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor and signals through the cAMP/PKA pathway. Ipamorelin binds GHS-R1a and signals through the phospholipase C / calcium pathway. Because these are distinct intracellular signals, combining a GHRH-class peptide with a ghrelin-mimetic produces a larger, more synergistic GH pulse than either alone — a phenomenon first documented in humans with related peptides. In 18 normal men, a growth hormone-releasing peptide stimulated GH release and acted synergistically with GHRH when the two were co-administered (Bowers et al., 1990, J Clin Endocrinol Metab).

This synergy is the entire rationale for the stack: ipamorelin amplifies the pulse "size," while CJC-1295 raises the baseline GHRH "tone." Importantly, the published human synergy data used different peptides than this specific pairing, so the magnitude of synergy for CJC-1295 + ipamorelin specifically has not been quantified in a published human trial. Consult your healthcare provider before interpreting these mechanisms for your own situation.

What is the standard CJC-1295 + ipamorelin dosage?

There is no FDA-approved or labeled dose for this stack, because neither peptide is an approved drug. The figures below reflect dosing parameters commonly cited in research and clinical-compounding contexts — they are not a recommendation to use.

A few points to understand the framing:

• Per-kg context from trials. Human CJC-1295 (with DAC) studies dosed by body weight — roughly 30–60 mcg/kg was the best-tolerated range in healthy adults (Teichman et al., 2006). Ipamorelin's human pharmacology was characterized at much higher per-kg infusion doses than the microgram figures cited for cosmetic/recovery "stacks," underscoring how different research dosing is from popular protocols (Gobburu et al., 1999, Pharm Res).
• No-DAC vs. with-DAC. The no-DAC version clears in hours and is typically dosed daily to mimic natural pulses. The with-DAC version lasts days and is dosed far less often, but it produces a more sustained, less pulsatile GH elevation — a pattern some clinicians consider less physiologic.
• Dosing should be personalized. Body weight, age, goals, and bloodwork (especially IGF-1) all matter. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.

When should CJC-1295 + ipamorelin be timed?

Timing in cited protocols is built around the body's natural GH rhythm and the influence of food.

Most GH is released in pulses during deep sleep, so many protocols cite dosing before bed to reinforce the nocturnal pulse. Because elevated blood glucose and insulin blunt GH release, protocols also commonly cite dosing in a fasted state — typically at least ~2 hours after eating and 20–30 minutes before food. When dosed more than once daily, a second dose is sometimes cited in the morning, fasted.

The short-acting no-DAC stack lends itself to this pulse-mimicking, timed approach. The with-DAC version, by contrast, maintains elevated GH/IGF-1 continuously, so precise daily timing matters less for it. None of these timing conventions are established by controlled human trials of this specific stack; they are extrapolated from GH physiology. Discuss timing with a healthcare provider who can account for your sleep, training, and metabolic health.

What does the human evidence actually show?

Honest framing matters here: the components have human data, but the popular stack and its aesthetic/recovery claims do not.

• CJC-1295 (with DAC) has a published Phase 1 human study showing sustained GH and IGF-1 increases and acceptable tolerability in healthy adults (Teichman et al., 2006). It was never approved for any indication.
• Ipamorelin reached human trials, including a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for postoperative ileus. In 114 bowel-resection patients, ipamorelin 0.03 mg/kg IV twice daily did not significantly beat placebo on the primary endpoint (median time to tolerating a meal 25.3 vs. 32.6 hours, p = 0.15), though it was well tolerated (Beck et al., 2014, Int J Colorectal Dis). Its development as a drug was discontinued.
• The CJC-1295 + ipamorelin combination for body composition, recovery, anti-aging, or sleep has no published randomized controlled trials in humans. Claims in this area are mechanistic and anecdotal, not proven outcomes.

In short: research in animal models and early human studies suggests these peptides can raise GH and IGF-1, but whether that translates to meaningful, safe real-world benefits — and at what dose — is unestablished.

What are the side effects and safety considerations?

Reported and theoretical risks come primarily from what happens when GH and IGF-1 rise, plus the realities of unregulated sourcing.

Commonly described effects in GH-secretagogue contexts include water retention and peripheral edema, joint or muscle aches, carpal-tunnel-type symptoms, headache, and flushing or a head-rush after injection (the latter associated with ghrelin-receptor agonists). Sustained, non-pulsatile GH elevation — more likely with the with-DAC version — can promote insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose, because GH antagonizes insulin's action; this is a recognized class effect of growth hormone and its secretagogues.

Two safety realities specific to 2026 deserve emphasis. First, the FDA flagged "significant safety risks" for these peptides when restricting them from compounding, citing concerns that can include immunogenicity, impurities, and limited human safety data. Second, because legal pharmaceutical supply is unavailable (see next section), most material circulates as "research chemicals" of unverified purity, sterility, and dose — an independent risk separate from the peptides' own pharmacology.

People with cancer or active malignancy risk, diabetes or insulin resistance, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding are generally considered higher-risk for GH-elevating compounds. This is not a complete list. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol, and review bloodwork — especially IGF-1 and fasting glucose — with them.

Is CJC-1295 + ipamorelin legal? FDA and 2026 status

Neither peptide is FDA-approved, and as of June 2026 neither is legally available through compounding pharmacies.

In September 2023, the FDA placed CJC-1295 and ipamorelin acetate into Category 2 of the interim 503A bulks list — substances that "may present significant safety risks" and are therefore not permitted for compounding. The agency later removed both from Category 2 (after the original nominators withdrew them), but it has not added them to Category 1, the list of substances eligible to be compounded. Practically, sitting in neither category means a compounding pharmacy still has no lawful pathway to prepare them under Section 503A.

This is distinct from the separate PCAC (Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee) reviews scheduled for July 23–24, 2026, which cover a different set of peptides — BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-C (Day 1) and DSIP, Semax, Epitalon (Day 2). CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are not on that July 2026 agenda, so no near-term reclassification of this specific stack is pending. For the broader landscape, see our 2026 peptide legality overview.

Legal status varies by jurisdiction; consult a lawyer for binding advice.

How does this stack compare to other GH peptides?

CJC-1295 + ipamorelin is one of several GH-secretagogue approaches. Ipamorelin's selling point versus older ghrelin mimetics (GHRP-6, GHRP-2) is its selectivity — it raised GH without the cortisol and prolactin bumps seen with those peptides in animal models (Raun et al., 1998). Compared with the oral secretagogue MK-677 (ibutamoren), the injectable CJC-1295 + ipamorelin stack offers pulsatile rather than continuous GH elevation, which some clinicians prefer as more physiologic. Each option carries its own dosing, side-effect, and legal profile. See our ipamorelin complete guide and CJC-1295 complete guide for component-level detail.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the most commonly cited CJC-1295 + ipamorelin dose? A: Research and clinical-compounding sources most often cite roughly 100 mcg of no-DAC CJC-1295 with 200–300 mcg of ipamorelin per injection, given subcutaneously once daily, sometimes split into a morning and bedtime dose. These figures vary widely between sources, and no FDA-labeled dose exists because neither peptide is approved. Dosing should be personalized to body weight, age, goals, and bloodwork. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.

Q: When is the best time to dose CJC-1295 + ipamorelin? A: Cited protocols favor dosing before bed in a fasted state, because most natural growth hormone is released during deep sleep and because food-driven insulin blunts GH release. A second fasted morning dose is sometimes cited when dosing twice daily. These conventions are extrapolated from GH physiology, not proven in controlled trials of this specific stack. Timing should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Q: What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC? A: The "with DAC" version adds a Drug Affinity Complex that binds albumin, extending the half-life to roughly 6–8 days, so it is dosed about once or twice weekly and produces sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation (Teichman et al., 2006). The "no-DAC" version (modified GRF 1-29) clears within hours and is dosed daily to mimic natural GH pulses. Many timed stacks use the no-DAC form for a more pulsatile pattern.

Q: Does the CJC-1295 + ipamorelin combination have human clinical trials? A: The individual peptides reached human studies — CJC-1295 in a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial and ipamorelin in a postoperative-ileus trial that missed its primary endpoint (Beck et al., 2014). However, the specific CJC-1295 + ipamorelin stack used for body composition, recovery, or anti-aging has no published randomized controlled trials. Claims in that area are mechanistic and anecdotal, not proven outcomes.

Q: What are the main side effects of CJC-1295 + ipamorelin? A: Commonly described effects include water retention, joint or muscle aches, headache, flushing, numbness or tingling, and a temporary head-rush after injection. Sustained GH elevation can raise blood glucose and reduce insulin sensitivity. Unregulated sourcing adds risks of impurity and inaccurate dosing. People with cancer risk, diabetes, or who are pregnant are generally considered higher-risk. Consult your healthcare provider and review IGF-1 and glucose bloodwork before use.

Q: Is CJC-1295 + ipamorelin legal in 2026? A: Neither peptide is FDA-approved. The FDA placed both in Category 2 of the 503A bulks list in September 2023, later removed them from Category 2, but has not added them to Category 1 — so there is no lawful compounding pathway as of June 2026. They are not on the July 2026 PCAC review agenda. Legal status varies by jurisdiction; consult a lawyer for binding advice.

Q: How long do CJC-1295 + ipamorelin cycles typically run? A: Cited protocols commonly run in cycles of several weeks to a few months, sometimes with a 5-days-on / 2-days-off weekly pattern, followed by a break — partly to limit continuous IGF-1 elevation and insulin-sensitivity effects. No controlled human trial defines an optimal cycle length for this stack, so any cycle plan is extrapolated. Discuss duration and monitoring with a healthcare provider.

References

1. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne J-P, Frohman LA. 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. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799–805. doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536
2. Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, Thøgersen H, Madsen K, Ankersen M, Andersen PH. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552–561. PMID: 9849822
3. Gobburu JVS, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999;16(9):1412–1416. PMID: 10496658
4. Bowers CY, Reynolds GA, Durham D, Barrera CM, Pezzoli SS, Thorner MO. Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide stimulates GH release in normal men and acts synergistically with GH-releasing hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1990;70(4):975–982. PMID: 2108187
5. Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD; Ipamorelin 201 Study Group. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(12):1527–1534. PMID: 25331030 · doi:10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8
6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (interim 503A bulks list, Category 2). FDA.gov. Accessed June 5, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding