Overview
CJC-1295 no DAC is a growth hormone-related peptide. Also known as Mod GRF 1-29.
With a half-life of ~30 minutes, CJC-1295 no DAC requires daily administration in most observed protocols. Administered via SubQ injection, it has a bioavailability of approximately 95% via its primary route.
Synthetic GHRH analog — 29-amino acid peptide. Half-life approximately 30 minutes. Very short plasma half-life. Subcutaneous administration. One-compartment model.
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 no DAC's pharmacological activity involves the following key pathways:
GHRH Receptor Activation
CJC-1295 no DAC binds to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptors on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary, stimulating GH synthesis and secretion.
Pulsatile GH Release
Activation of GHRH receptors promotes GH release in a pulsatile pattern that more closely mimics physiological secretion compared to exogenous GH administration.
Dosing Protocols
The following protocols represent commonly observed dosing patterns. These are observational summaries, not recommendations.
Dose
100 mcg/day
Route
Subcutaneous
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
4-12 weeks
Dose
300 mcg/day
Route
Subcutaneous
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
4-12 weeks
Reconstitution Steps
CJC-1295 is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and requires reconstitution before use. Common vial sizes: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.
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1
Gather supplies
You will need the lyophilised CJC-1295 (no DAC) vial, bacteriostatic water (BAC water), an insulin syringe (U-100), and an alcohol swab. BAC water is preferred over sterile water because benzyl alcohol preserves the peptide solution for up to 28 days.
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2
Clean both vial tops
Wipe the rubber septum of the peptide vial and the BAC water vial with a fresh alcohol swab and allow both to air-dry for 10–15 seconds before proceeding.
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3
Draw the bacteriostatic water
For a 5 mg vial, draw 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water into your syringe. This yields a concentration of 2,000 mcg/mL (2 mcg per microlitre), making a 100 mcg dose equal to 5 units and a 200 mcg dose equal to 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe.
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4
Inject the water slowly
Insert the needle at an angle and direct the stream of water gently down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder. This prevents foaming and minimises peptide degradation from mechanical shear.
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5
Swirl to dissolve
Gently roll the vial between your palms for 20–30 seconds until the powder is fully dissolved. Do not shake vigorously, as this can denature the peptide. The solution should be clear and colourless when ready.
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6
Store and label
Refrigerate immediately at 2–8°C. Label the vial with the reconstitution date and discard any remaining solution after 28 days.
Quick Reconstitution Math
5 mg vial + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2,000 mcg/mL. A 100 mcg dose = 5 units on a U-100 syringe. A 200 mcg dose = 10 units. Use the Milligram reconstitution calculator for custom vial sizes.
Reconstituted solution is stable refrigerated at 2–8°C for up to 28 days. Lyophilised powder stores frozen at –20°C for up to 2 years. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles after reconstitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CJC-1295 (no DAC) and how does it work?
CJC-1295 without DAC, also known as Modified GRF 1–29 (Mod GRF 1–29), is a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH). It binds to GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland and stimulates a sharp, pulsatile release of growth hormone, closely mimicking the body's own natural release pattern. Four amino acid substitutions make it resistant to enzymatic breakdown by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), extending its functional half-life to roughly 30 minutes compared to the near-instant degradation of native GRF 1–29.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and CJC-1295 without DAC?
The key distinction is the presence or absence of a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) – a lysine–maleimide moiety that covalently binds the peptide to circulating albumin after injection. Without DAC, the peptide clears in approximately 30 minutes and produces a defined, pulsatile GH spike. With DAC, the albumin bond extends the half-life to roughly 6–8 days, producing a continuous, blunted elevation in GH rather than a sharp pulse. The no-DAC version is typically preferred when preserving physiological GH pulsatility is the goal.
How is CJC-1295 (no DAC) typically dosed?
Research protocols commonly observe dosing at 100–200 mcg per injection, administered subcutaneously 2–3 times daily. Timing injections to align with natural GH windows – such as fasted morning, post-exercise, and pre-sleep – is a widely reported practice. Because of its short half-life, consistent daily dosing is required to maintain elevated mean GH levels throughout a protocol.
What effects are associated with CJC-1295 (no DAC) use?
Research in healthy adults demonstrates dose-dependent increases in mean plasma GH and IGF-1 concentrations following administration. Users in observational contexts commonly report improved sleep quality within the first 1–2 weeks, with body composition changes – including reduced fat and improved muscle tone – typically noted after 8–12 weeks of consistent use. Because it preserves pulsatile GH secretion rather than causing a flat elevation, the GH release profile more closely resembles endogenous physiology.
Is CJC-1295 (no DAC) the same as Sermorelin?
They are related but distinct compounds. Sermorelin is native GRF 1–29 with no protective amino acid substitutions, giving it a very short functional half-life measured in seconds to minutes in vivo. CJC-1295 without DAC retains the same 29–amino acid GHRH fragment but incorporates four stabilising substitutions, extending its half-life to approximately 30 minutes. Both stimulate pulsatile GH release through the same receptor, but CJC-1295 without DAC has a meaningfully longer active window per injection.
How should CJC-1295 (no DAC) be stored after reconstitution?
Lyophilised (powder) vials are typically stored frozen at –20°C and can remain stable for up to 2 years under those conditions. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, the solution should be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 28 days. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles after reconstitution should be avoided, as they can degrade peptide integrity.