Long-acting growth hormone releaser that works around the clock to boost your body's natural GH production with just one or two injections per week.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Subcutaneous
Route
4 recommended
Sites
Twice weekly
Frequency
Preparation
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
Insulin syringe (29-31 gauge)
Alcohol swabs
Sterile vial of CJC-1295 DAC powder
Pro tip
Prepare all supplies on a clean surface before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process smoother and more sterile.
Mixing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gather all supplies on a clean, flat surface.
Remove the plastic cap from the peptide vial and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Let it air dry.
Draw the appropriate amount of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Insert the needle into the vial at an angle, aiming at the inside wall of the vial. Slowly push the plunger to let the water trickle down the glass wall -- do NOT squirt directly onto the powder.
Once all water is added, gently swirl the vial in a slow circular motion. Never shake the vial, as this can damage the peptide bonds.
Continue swirling until the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear. If particles remain, let the vial sit for a few minutes and swirl again.
Label the vial with the date of reconstitution, the peptide name, and the concentration (e.g. 250mcg per 0.1mL).
Example calculation
2mg vial + 2mL BAC water = 1mg/mL (1000mcg/mL). Each 0.1mL (10 units) = 100mcg
Dose calculation
For 1000mcg dose at 1mg/mL concentration: draw 1.0mL (100 units on insulin syringe). For 2000mcg: draw from two vials or use a higher concentration.
Pro tip
Always add the bacteriostatic water slowly, letting it run down the side of the vial. Never shake the vial -- swirl gently to avoid damaging the peptide.
Location
Site 01
Abdomen
Pinch the skin 2 inches from navel. Avoid the area directly around the belly button. Rotate between left and right sides.
Site 02
Outer Thigh
Middle third of the outer thigh. Keep at least 4 inches above the knee and below the hip. Alternate legs each injection.
Site 03
Upper Arm
Back or outer area of the upper arm. This site may require assistance from another person for proper technique.
Site 04
Flank / Love Handle
The soft tissue area on the side of the torso, above the hip. Pinch the skin and inject at a 45-degree angle.
Rotate between 4 sites to prevent tissue buildup and ensure consistent absorption.
Pro tip
Rotate your injection sites with each dose to prevent lipohypertrophy (buildup of fatty tissue). Keep a simple log of where you last injected.
Step by step
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow to dry completely
Pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and forefinger
Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (depending on body fat)
Inject the solution slowly and steadily
Release the skin fold and withdraw the needle
Apply light pressure if needed - do not rub the area
Pro tip
This peptide uses subcutaneous injection. Inject at a 45-90 degree angle into pinched skin. Aspirate before injecting to ensure you haven't hit a blood vessel.
Timing
Optimal timing
Best time
Evening before bed or in the morning on an empty stomach. The extended half-life means timing is less critical than with shorter-acting peptides.
With food?
Best taken on an empty stomach or at least 2-3 hours after eating. Fats and carbohydrates can blunt the GH response.
Stacking notes
If combining with a GHRP like Ipamorelin, inject them together at the same time. The synergistic effect amplifies the GH pulse significantly.
Sample daily schedule
Evening (before bed)
1000-2000 mcg injection
Site: Abdomen or thigh (rotate sites)
Evening dosing capitalizes on natural nighttime GH release. Take on empty stomach for best results.
Second dose mid-week (if twice weekly)
1000-2000 mcg injection
Site: Different site than first injection
Space injections 3-4 days apart (e.g., Monday and Thursday evenings) for sustained GH elevation.
Dosing tiers
Dose
1 mg (1000 mcg)
Frequency
Once weekly
Duration
2-4 weeks
A starting dose used in practice. The DAC version is long-acting (about a 6-8 day half-life), so weekly dosing keeps growth hormone and IGF-1 raised. In the Phase 1 trial a single dose raised GH for 6+ days and IGF-1 for up to 11 days. [2]
Dose
2 mg (2000 mcg)
Frequency
Once weekly (or split twice weekly)
Duration
8-12 weeks
The common maintenance dose, roughly in line with the 30-60 mcg/kg weekly range studied in the Phase 1 trial. [1][2] In the ascending-dose trials, single injections raised mean GH 2- to 10-fold for six or more days and IGF-I 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days; 30 and 60 µg/kg doses were the best tolerated [2].
Dose
2 mg per dose
Frequency
Twice weekly
Duration
8-12 weeks
A higher total weekly amount split into two doses, used by experienced users; near the top of the 30-60 mcg/kg weekly range from the clinical study. [2]
Preservation
Before mixing
Store lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in the refrigerator at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Protect from light by keeping in original packaging or wrapped in foil. Can tolerate brief room temperature exposure during shipping.
After mixing
Always refrigerate after mixing with bacteriostatic water. Keep at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Never freeze reconstituted solution. Use within 28 days for best potency.
Shelf life after mixing
28 days
Signs of degradation
Discard the vial immediately if you notice any of these:
Cloudy or hazy appearance instead of clear solution
Visible particles, floaters, or clumps
Color change from clear to yellow or brown
Unusual odor
Important
When to stop
Signs of allergic reaction (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling)
Persistent carpal tunnel symptoms (numbness, tingling, weakness in hands)
Significant or unexplained swelling in hands, feet, or face
Sudden vision changes or new joint pain that doesn't resolve
Blood glucose becoming consistently elevated
Discovery of any tumor or malignancy
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or modifying any peptide protocol. These guidelines are for educational purposes and do not constitute medical advice.
Clean technique checklist
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
Swab vial tops and injection site with alcohol and let dry
Never touch the needle tip or allow it to contact non-sterile surfaces
Use a new syringe and needle for each injection
Dispose of used sharps in a proper sharps container
Store reconstituted peptides according to the storage instructions above
Published research
Jette L et al. · 2005
This foundational study identified CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GHRH analog. The DAC technology allowed the peptide to bind to serum albumin, extending its presence in circulation beyond 72 hours and producing a 4-fold increase in GH release compared to native GHRH(1-29).
Teichman SL et al. · 2006
In healthy adults, a single injection of CJC-1295 increased GH levels by 2-10 fold for 6+ days and IGF-1 levels by 1.5-3 fold for 9-11 days. The half-life was 5.8-8.1 days. Multiple doses showed cumulative effects, with IGF-1 remaining elevated for up to 28 days. No serious adverse reactions were reported.
Memdouh S et al. · 2021
This anti-doping research review confirmed CJC-1295's status as a prohibited substance in sports due to its potent ability to elevate GH and IGF-1 levels. The study documents the peptide's pharmacological activity and the development of detection methods.
Ucakturk E et al. · 2026
Recent analytical methods have been developed to detect CJC-1295 and other GHRH analogs in urine, demonstrating continued interest in these compounds for both clinical and anti-doping purposes.
Ionescu M, Frohman LA · 2006
In healthy men, CJC-1295 increased GH pulse amplitude and trough GH concentrations while the physiological pulsatile pattern of GH secretion persisted — continuous GHRH-receptor stimulation did not flatten GH release into a constant elevation.
Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW · 2018
Systematic review of the GH-secretagogue class including GHRH analogs: the consistent adverse signals across compounds are decreased insulin sensitivity and elevated blood glucose; long-term safety data, including cancer incidence and mortality, do not exist for any compound in the class.
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