CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Stack: Dosing, Reconstitution & Protocol Guide

CJC-1295: Two Pharmacologic Forms

CJC-1295 exists in two distinct formulations, each defining a separate protocol approach:

CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex)

• Contains a maleimidopropionic acid linker at Lys30 that binds albumin in the bloodstream
• Half-life: 6–8 days
• Creates sustained GHRH-receptor signaling ("GH bleed") rather than discrete pulses
• Dosing: Typically 1–2 mg injected once or twice weekly
• Trade-off: Convenience vs. loss of natural pulsatile rhythm

CJC-1295 without DAC (MOD-GRF 1-29)

• Lacks the albumin-binding linker
• Half-life: ~30 minutes
• Creates discrete GH pulses that rise and fall, mimicking endogenous secretion
• Dosing: 100–200 mcg per injection, 1–3 times daily
• Trade-off: Preserves pulsatility but requires more frequent injections

The choice between DAC and no-DAC versions fundamentally shapes protocol design and expected outcomes.

Protocol Version A: Pulsatile (CJC-1295 No-DAC + Ipamorelin)

This protocol is preferred by most informed clinicians and longevity-focused practitioners because it preserves the body's natural pulsatile GH rhythm. With ~30-minute half-lives on both peptides, researchers create discrete pulses that rise and fall exactly as endogenous GH behaves thepeptidetoolkit.com.

Dosing Table (Version A)

Daily totals: 200–300 mcg CJC no-DAC and 300–700 mcg Ipamorelin. Many researchers use only the pre-bed dose for simplicity; this single-injection protocol is a common entry-level approach.

Pre-Bed Timing Rationale

Roughly 50–70% of daily endogenous GH secretion occurs in the first two hours of slow-wave sleep, as documented by Van Cauter et al. in JAMA (2000; 284:861-868). Stacking an exogenous CJC + Ipamorelin pulse onto this nocturnal window amplifies, rather than competes with, the body's largest natural pulse. This is why pre-bed dosing is the single highest-yield injection in the protocol.

Fasted-State Requirement

The fasted-state requirement is non-negotiable. Insulin (post-meal) and elevated free fatty acids (post-fatty-meal) both blunt GH release. A high-carbohydrate dinner two hours before injection will largely waste the dose. The standard rule is a two-hour fast minimum; three hours is preferred. Protein has minimal blunting effect; carbohydrate and fat are the main offenders.

Protocol Version B: Sustained (CJC-1295 with DAC + Ipamorelin)

This version trades pulsatility for convenience. CJC-1295 with DAC binds albumin and creates near-constant elevation of GHRH-receptor signaling for 6–8 days per dose, often described as a "GH bleed" rather than a pulse. Twice-weekly CJC-DAC injections plus daily pre-bed Ipamorelin make the stack much easier to run, but it does not preserve the pulsatile signature of natural GH release thepeptidetoolkit.com.

Dosing Table (Version B)

Weekly totals: 2 mg CJC-1295 DAC + 1.4–2.1 mg Ipamorelin. Some practitioners use a single 2 mg CJC-DAC dose once weekly; both regimens produce comparable steady-state GHRH-receptor activation given the 6–8 day half-life.

Concern with Version B: Sustained GHRH-receptor activation may blunt natural pulsatility and cause somatotroph downregulation over time, as noted by Sigalos & Pastuszak in Sexual Medicine Reviews (2018). Water retention is also more pronounced than with the pulsatile protocol.

Reconstitution Mathematics

Proper reconstitution is essential for reproducible dosing across research cycles. Both pulsatile and sustained protocols use the same reconstitution math; the difference is in injection frequency and timing.

Combined-Vial Setup (Version A, No-DAC)

Reconstitution steps:

1. Draw 5 mL of bacteriostatic water (BAC water) into a sterile syringe.
2. Inject into the CJC-1295 no-DAC vial; gently swirl (do not shake) until fully dissolved.
3. Draw the reconstituted CJC solution back into a sterile syringe.
4. Inject into the Ipamorelin vial; gently swirl until fully dissolved.
5. Draw the combined solution back into the original CJC vial or a new sterile vial.
6. Refrigerate at 2–8°C; use within 30 days per standard compounding-pharmacy beyond-use-dates.

Separate-Vial Setup (Version B, DAC)

For researchers preferring to keep peptides separate:

• CJC-1295 with DAC: 5 mg vial + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2 mg/mL. A 1 mg dose = 0.5 mL.
• Ipamorelin: 5 mg vial + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2 mg/mL. A 200 mcg dose = 0.1 mL.

This approach allows independent dose titration but requires two injections per administration.

Practical Pre-Bed Sequence

A typical pre-bed protocol timeline:

• 6:00 PM: Last meal of the day.
• 9:30–10:00 PM: Subcutaneous injection of combined CJC + Ipamorelin vial (or separate injections if using Version B).
• 10:15 PM: Lights out.
• ~11:00 PM: GH pulse peaks during the first slow-wave sleep cycle.

Side Effects and Management

A clean baseline lab panel before starting is best practice: fasting glucose, HbA1c, IGF-1, basic metabolic panel, and complete blood count. Repeat IGF-1 and HbA1c at week 8.

Cycle Length and Breaks

Research protocols typically follow one of three approaches:

• Standard cycle: 12 weeks on, 4 weeks off.
• Continuous use: Many supervised researchers run continuous protocols with quarterly lab monitoring.
• Conservative cycle: 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off (lower IGF-1 exposure; easier to assess effect).

2026 Regulatory Status

Both CJC-1295 (DAC and no-DAC forms) and Ipamorelin are subject to FDA Section 503A/503B compounding regulations. As of April 2026, both peptides remain available through licensed 503A compounding pharmacies on physician prescription, but state-level controls vary. In December 2024, the FDA published Category 2 submissions (insufficient human safety and efficacy data at proposed doses) for both compounds on the bulk compounding list. Both are on the WADA Prohibited List for competitive athletes. Researchers should verify current legal status with the FDA and their state pharmacy board before prescribing or purchasing.

Expected Outcomes (8–12 Weeks)

Research suggests that supervised use of the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin stack over 8–12 weeks may produce:

• Elevated serum IGF-1 (0.5–3× baseline depending on dose and protocol version)
• Improved body composition metrics (lean mass gain, fat loss)
• Enhanced recovery markers
• Improved sleep architecture during the injection window
• Dose-dependent increases in fasting glucose (typically mild; reversible with dose reduction)

Note: These outcomes reflect clinical practice patterns and extrapolation from preclinical research. The human evidence base remains limited; the Teichman et al. study (2006) in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism remains the primary formal Phase I/II human pharmacokinetic reference for CJC-1295 DAC.

Key Takeaways for Researchers

1. Synergy is real: The CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination produces GH pulses substantially larger than either peptide alone due to complementary receptor activation and somatostatin suppression.
2. Protocol choice matters: Pulsatile (no-DAC) protocols preserve natural GH rhythm but require more frequent injections; sustained (DAC) protocols trade convenience for loss of pulsatility.
3. Timing and fasting are non-negotiable: Pre-bed injection on a 2–3 hour fast maximizes bioavailability and aligns with natural nocturnal GH secretion.
4. Reconstitution precision is essential: Accurate math and sterile technique ensure reproducible dosing across research cycles.
5. Regulatory landscape is evolving: Both peptides remain Category 2 substances with state-level variation; verify legality before use.