Growth Hormone Protocol
CJC-1295 with DACComplete dosing & administration guide
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 & reviewed by Michael Carroll · Research, Peptide Initiative
Dose Range
2-2mg
Frequency
Twice weekly
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
8-12 weeks
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Subcutaneous: A small injection into the fatty layer just under the skin — the same way insulin is given.
Bioavailability High — most of the dose reaches your bloodstream, just more gradually than an IV.
Starting Dose
1 mg (1000 mcg)
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]
Standard Dose
2 mg (2000 mcg)
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].
Advanced Dose
2 mg per dose
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]
Timing
Best time to take
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.
If stacking
If combining with a GHRP like Ipamorelin, inject them together at the same time. The synergistic effect amplifies the GH pulse significantly.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +Tolerating current dose well with no significant side effects
- +Not seeing expected improvements after 4-6 weeks
- +IGF-1 blood levels remain in low-normal range
- +Recovery and sleep benefits are minimal
Decrease if
- -Experiencing significant water retention or bloating
- -Joint pain or carpal tunnel symptoms appear
- -Feeling excessively tired or lethargic
- -Blood glucose levels becoming elevated
Signs of right dose
- ✓Improved sleep quality and waking refreshed
- ✓Better workout recovery within 24-48 hours
- ✓Gradual improvements in body composition
- ✓No significant water retention or discomfort
Dosing Calculator
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Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
- •Insulin syringe (29-31 gauge)
- •Alcohol swabs
- •Sterile vial of CJC-1295 DAC powder
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Best sites
- •Abdomen (2 inches away from navel)
- •Front or outer thigh
- •Back of upper arm
- •Lower back / love handle area
Technique
- 1.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and allow to dry completely
- 2.Pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and forefinger
- 3.Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (depending on body fat)
- 4.Inject the solution slowly and steadily
- 5.Release the skin fold and withdraw the needle
- 6.Apply light pressure if needed - do not rub the area
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
CJC-1295 with DAC was evaluated in Phase 1-2 human clinical trials where it demonstrated a generally favorable safety profile. The most common adverse events were mild injection site reactions including temporary pain, swelling, and redness. No serious adverse events were reported in the published clinical studies. The compound was being developed for HIV-associated lipodystrophy before the program was discontinued.
Safety data comes from limited Phase 1-2 clinical trials conducted in the mid-2000s. While no serious adverse events were reported, long-term safety data is not available. The clinical development program was discontinued, so large-scale safety studies were never completed.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Injection site reactions
Redness, swelling, itching, or mild pain at injection site
Management: Rotate injection sites, apply ice before injection, ensure proper technique
Water retention
Mild bloating or puffiness, especially in hands and feet
Management: Reduce sodium intake, stay well hydrated, consider reducing dose if significant
Flushing
Temporary warmth or redness of skin, particularly face
Management: Usually subsides within 15-30 minutes, more common at higher doses
Tingling sensation
Pins and needles feeling, especially in hands
Management: Usually temporary, may indicate elevated GH - reduce dose if persistent
Less Common
- •Headaches
- •Fatigue or lethargy
- •Joint discomfort
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×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.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Ipamorelin - Excellent synergy - combine for amplified GH release. Inject together.
- ✓GHRP-6 - Strong synergy but may increase hunger significantly. Use together if desired.
- ✓GHRP-2 - Good synergy for GH release. Can be combined in same injection.
- !CJC-1295 without DAC - Redundant - no benefit to combining both versions.
- ✓BPC-157 - Safe to combine for recovery benefits. Different mechanisms.
With medications
- !Insulin - CJC-1295 DAC can raise blood glucose - may need insulin adjustment. Monitor closely.
- !Diabetes medications - May counteract blood sugar lowering effects. Requires monitoring.
- !Thyroid medications - GH can affect thyroid function - monitor thyroid levels.
- !Corticosteroids - May blunt GH response - avoid if possible or use cautiously.
- ✓Blood pressure medications - Generally safe but monitor as body composition changes may affect BP.
With supplements
- ✓Arginine - May enhance GH release - can be taken together for added benefit.
- ✓Glutamine - May support GH release and recovery - safe to combine.
- ✓GABA - May support sleep and GH release - safe combination.
- ✓Melatonin - Safe to combine - may enhance sleep benefits of evening dosing.
Published Research
What the studies show
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.
Head to Head
CJC-1295 with DAC compared
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete CJC-1295 with DAC research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.