CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Stack Dosage Guide

Overview

The CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin stack is the most widely used growth-hormone optimization protocol in peptide therapy. CJC-1295 is a GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) analog that extends each GH pulse, while Ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers a clean GH pulse. Together they send two signals through two pathways — CJC-1295 tells the pituitary to make GH, Ipamorelin tells it to release GH — producing one amplified, physiologically appropriate pulse.

The key advantage over exogenous HGH: this stack preserves the pulsatile pattern of natural GH secretion and does not suppress endogenous production at standard doses.

No-DAC vs DAC — which to run

This page defaults to CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) — the most common and most physiological choice. Without DAC its half-life is ~30 minutes, so it produces a sharp, natural-shaped GH pulse when dosed at bedtime and is what most people mean by “the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin stack.”

CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) extends the half-life to ~8 days, giving a sustained, less pulsatile GH elevation from a single weekly injection — more convenient, less physiological. Full DAC dosing is covered in the Protocol section below.

Mechanism Synergy

CJC-1295 (GHRH Analog — “The Amplifier”)

• Modified GRF(1-29), with DAC or without (Mod GRF 1-29)
• Binds GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary
• Extends the amplitude and duration of each GH pulse
• Without DAC (Mod GRF): half-life ~30 min — sharp, pulsatile, natural-shaped release
• With DAC: half-life ~8 days — sustained GH elevation from weekly dosing
• Raises IGF-1 within 1–2 weeks of consistent use

Ipamorelin (Selective GH Secretagogue — “The Trigger”)

• Selective ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist
• Triggers acute GH release from the pituitary
• Crucially does not raise cortisol or prolactin (unlike GHRP-2 / GHRP-6)
• Does not significantly increase appetite (unlike GHRP-6)
• Clean side-effect profile makes it ideal for long-term protocols

Why they stack:

• GHRH analog + GH secretagogue = synergistic GH output (greater than additive)
• CJC-1295 primes the somatotrophs; Ipamorelin fires the release signal
• CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent, sustained GH (2–10 fold) and IGF-1 (1.5–3 fold) elevation for roughly 6+ days after a single dose in healthy adults (PMID: 16352683)
• The combination produces markedly greater GH output than either peptide alone

Protocol

Standard GH Optimization Protocol (no-DAC / Mod GRF 1-29)

Can be combined in the same syringe — these two are stable when mixed.

Timing:

• Inject at bedtime, at least 2 hours after the last meal (fasted state)
• GH releases its largest natural pulse during the first phase of deep sleep — bedtime dosing aligns with this rhythm
• Carbohydrates and insulin blunt GH release; avoid eating within ~2 hours pre/post injection
• Some protocols add a second fasted dose on waking for an additional pulse

Schedule:

• 5 days on, 2 days off (helps prevent receptor desensitization), or daily for protocols under 8 weeks

Cycle length:

• 1–3 months on, 2–3 months off
• Some run 3 months on / 1 month off for body-composition goals
• Monitor IGF-1 via bloodwork every 4–6 weeks

Aggressive Body-Composition Protocol

Duration: 8 weeks max, then 8 weeks off. Monitor IGF-1 closely.

CJC-1295 with DAC variant

If using CJC-1295 with DAC (longer half-life):

• Dose: 2 mg once weekly (SubQ)
• Pair with Ipamorelin 200–300 mcg daily at bedtime
• Provides more sustained (less pulsatile) GH elevation
• Preferred by some for convenience; less physiological than Mod GRF

Evidence

Clinical:

• Teichman et al. (2006), J Clin Endocrinol Metab: CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent increases in GH (2–10 fold) and IGF-1 (1.5–3 fold) sustained for days after a single injection (PMID: 16352683)
• Ipamorelin’s selective GH release — without cortisol or prolactin elevation — is well documented in human and preclinical data (Raun et al.)

Preclinical:

• Extensive animal data showing improved body composition, sleep quality, and recovery
• Synergistic GH output demonstrated when GHRH analogs are paired with GH secretagogues

Community / clinical practice:

• The most-used peptide combination in longevity and anti-aging medicine
• Thousands of documented patient-cycles across integrative practices
• Commonly reported: improved sleep, faster recovery, better skin quality, fat loss, lean-mass preservation

Considerations

Contraindications:

• Active cancer or tumor history — elevated GH/IGF-1 can promote tumor growth
• Uncontrolled diabetes — GH raises blood glucose; requires careful monitoring
• Active pituitary disorders — disrupts an already dysregulated axis
• Pregnancy / breastfeeding — insufficient safety data

Side effects:

• Water retention (most common, dose-dependent)
• Tingling/numbness in the extremities (paresthesia — indicates GH elevation)
• Injection-site reactions
• Headache (usually transient, first 1–2 weeks)
• Joint stiffness at higher doses (carpal-tunnel-like symptoms)

Monitoring:

• IGF-1 every 4–6 weeks — target the upper-normal range for age, not supraphysiological
• Fasting glucose / HbA1c if diabetic or pre-diabetic
• Check insulin sensitivity periodically

Stacking compatibility:

• Excellent with BPC-157 / TB-500 for recovery amplification
• Compatible with all common healing peptides (no mechanistic conflicts)
• Can run alongside Semax / Selank
• Use caution stacking with other GH-elevating compounds (MK-677, GHRP-2) — risk of excessive GH/IGF-1
• The fasting requirement means timing around food-dependent peptides (rarely an issue)

Regulatory:

• Neither is FDA-approved for any indication
• Both are prohibited in competitive sport (WADA/USADA)
• Neither is on the 503A bulks list, and neither appears in any of FDA’s interim Category 1, 2, or 3 lists — so there is no lawful compounding route for either, through a 503A pharmacy or a 503B outsourcing facility. Both are sold by research suppliers “research use only,” which is not an FDA-sanctioned supply channel. See CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin.

See Also

• Related stack: Wolverine — BPC-157 + TB-500, pairs well for recovery
• Related compound: CJC-1295
• Related compound: Ipamorelin