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DPreclinical / mechanistic only
No human data

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Mod GRF 1-29

CJC-1295 without DAC (commonly sold as "Mod GRF 1-29") is a synthetic growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog: a modified fragment of human GHRH (the first 29 amino acids, with four stabilizing substitutions) that binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary to trigger a pulse of growth hormone (GH), which in turn raises insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). It differs from CJC-1295 "with DAC" by lacking the Drug Affinity Complex that anchors the peptide to blood albumin, so it is short-acting (minutes) rather than long-acting (days). There are no published human clinical trials of the no-DAC form. The only human data that exist are for the long-acting DAC version and for the related approved GHRH analog tesamorelin — pharmacologically distinct molecules. Everything about the no-DAC form's clinical effects and safety is therefore extrapolation, and the evidence grade is D. It is used off-label and without medical supervision to attempt to raise GH/IGF-1 for body composition or "anti-aging" goals. It is unapproved and unregulated (gray-market peptide of unverified identity/purity/sterility, injected subcutaneously), and by design it drives the GH/IGF-1 axis upward — sustained elevation of that axis (as seen in acromegaly) is mechanistically capable of causing fluid retention, joint pain, carpal-tunnel-type symptoms, insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose, plus a theoretical concern for promoting existing tumors, but none of these risks have been demonstrated or quantified for this specific compound in humans.

Clinical readoutPeptide · gh-secretagogue
Hepatic strainLow
CardiovascularModerate
HPTA suppressionNone
Half-life
30 min
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Evidence
D
Active
Short — a single GH pul…
30 min1 h1.5 h2 h2.5 h
Illustrative single-compartment washout · each mark = one half-life · t½ ≈ Not formally established for the no-DAC form in humans. By molecular design it is short-acting: the parent hGRF(1-29)/GHRH-analog class is cleared within roughly minutes (order of ~30 min), because it lacks the albumin-binding DAC that gives CJC-1295-with-DAC its measured 5.8-8.1 day half-life in humans (Teichman 2006). The two forms are not interchangeable on PK grounds.
Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

CJC-1295 (no DAC) / Mod GRF 1-29 is a tetrasubstituted analog of human GHRH(1-29) — the biologically active N-terminal fragment of GHRH. Amino-acid substitutions (e.g. D-Ala, and residues resisting dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV cleavage) increase enzymatic stability versus native GHRH. It binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating synthesis and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone; the released GH acts on the liver and peripheral tissues to increase IGF-1. Because it works by amplifying the body's own GH pulses (a secretagogue) rather than supplying exogenous GH, negative feedback (somatostatin) is partially preserved. Unlike the DAC version, the no-DAC form lacks the albumin-binding maleimido moiety, so it is not protected from clearance and acts only briefly. Mechanism is established for the GHRH-analog class in animals and (for the DAC form) humans; it has not been characterized for the no-DAC form in humans.
Kinetics

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life

Not formally established for the no-DAC form in humans. By molecular design it is short-acting: the parent hGRF(1-29)/GHRH-analog class is cleared within roughly minutes (order of ~30 min), because it lacks the albumin-binding DAC that gives CJC-1295-with-DAC its measured 5.8-8.1 day half-life in humans (Teichman 2006). The two forms are not interchangeable on PK grounds.

Active duration

Short — a single GH pulse lasting on the order of hours after a subcutaneous dose, per class behavior; no published human duration data for the no-DAC form specifically. (Contrast: the DAC form raises GH for ~6+ days and IGF-1 for ~9-11 days.)

Route

Subcutaneous injection (unapproved, self-administered). No approved formulation exists.

Metabolism & clearance

Peptide; expected to be degraded by peptidases (the class is engineered to resist DPP-IV) and cleared renally/hepatically like other small peptides. Presented here only for washout reasoning and clinician discussion, not for evading drug testing. No human clearance data for the no-DAC form.

For monitoring and washout planning, not drug-test evasion.

Reported effects

Physiological & performance effects

  • Raises endogenous growth hormone and, secondarily, IGF-1 — demonstrated in humans for the DAC form and for tesamorelin, extrapolated to the no-DAC form (no direct human data)
  • Preserves the pulsatile pattern of GH secretion while raising trough and mean GH (shown for the DAC form in humans)
  • Class GHRH analogs (tesamorelin) reduce visceral adipose tissue and modestly improve triglycerides in a clinical population, via GH/IGF-1 elevation — not established for the no-DAC form
  • Users seek increased lean mass, fat loss, and recovery, but these outcomes are not documented for the no-DAC form in any human trial
  • Effect magnitude is highly uncertain because product identity, dose, and purity on the gray market are unverified
Safety

Adverse effects by system

Cardiovascular

No direct human safety data for the no-DAC form. Mechanistic/observational concern: sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation (as in acromegaly and GH excess) is associated with cardiac and vascular pathology. Separately, in a cohort of patients with Carney complex — a rare hereditary tumor syndrome in which cardiac myxoma is already a hallmark lesion — GH excess was associated with a higher myxoma incidence within that genetically predisposed population; this is not evidence that GH/IGF-1 elevation causes cardiac tumors in otherwise-healthy people. Fluid retention from GH can raise blood pressure. Not quantified for this compound.

Hepatic

No evidence of direct liver toxicity and no human data for this compound; it is not known to be hepatotoxic. IGF-1 is produced by the liver in response to GH, but this is a physiological signaling effect, not injury.

Endocrine / HPTA

Primary endocrine action is on the GH/IGF-1 (somatotropic) axis, not the reproductive axis. Overstimulation can raise IGF-1 and, like GH excess, impair glucose tolerance/insulin sensitivity. Chronic supraphysiologic GHRH stimulation could theoretically alter pituitary somatotroph regulation; not characterized in humans for this compound.

Reproductive

No direct effect on gonadal hormones is established; the GH/IGF-1 axis is separate from the HPG axis. No human reproductive-safety data; effects in pregnancy/lactation are unknown and use is contraindicated there.

Neuropsychiatric

No specific human data for this compound. No established psychiatric effect; injection-site anxiety and effects of unregulated self-injection are situational rather than pharmacologic.

Renal

No specific human data. GH/IGF-1 elevation causes sodium and water retention, which can produce edema; no evidence of direct nephrotoxicity.

Hematologic

No known clinically significant hematologic effect and no human data for this compound.

Dermatologic

Injection-site reactions (redness, pain, swelling) are the most commonly reported class effect with subcutaneous GHRH analogs. Non-sterile gray-market product raises infection/abscess risk. No compound-specific human data.

Recovery

HPTA suppression & recovery

Suppression: Not applicable to the reproductive (HPG) axis — this compound acts on the GH/IGF-1 axis, so it does not suppress testosterone the way anabolic steroids or SERM-relevant compounds do. No single-SERM PCT is indicated or relevant here.

Because CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a GH secretagogue and not an androgen, it is not associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) suppression requiring SERM-based recovery. Any concern about pituitary somatotroph regulation after chronic GHRH stimulation is theoretical and unstudied in humans for this compound. Anyone with endocrine symptoms or considering use should consult an endocrinologist; recovery and axis assessment should be physician-directed, not self-managed.

Bloodwork & vitals

Monitoring

Recommended labs & checks
IGF-1 (to detect supraphysiologic elevation)Fasting glucose and HbA1c (GH raises insulin resistance)Fasting insulinLipid panelBlood pressure (for fluid retention)

Cadence: Baseline before any use, then periodically (e.g. every 3 months) if used, under a clinician's direction; sooner if warning signs appear

Warning signs — seek care
  • New or worsening swelling/edema, especially hands and face
  • Joint pain, tingling or numbness in the hands (carpal-tunnel-type symptoms)
  • Persistent headache or vision changes
  • Rising blood glucose, excessive thirst or urination
  • Enlargement of hands, feet, or facial features (acromegaly-type changes)
  • Injection-site infection: spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever
  • Palpitations or elevated blood pressure
Do not use if

Contraindications

  • Active or prior malignancy, or high tumor risk — GH/IGF-1 elevation is theoretically tumor-promoting; GHRH analogs (e.g. tesamorelin) carry warnings against use in active cancer
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding — safety unknown
  • Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance — sustained GH elevation is mechanistically capable of worsening insulin resistance and raising blood glucose, though this has not been demonstrated for this compound specifically (the related tesamorelin RCT found no clinically meaningful glucose change at studied doses)
  • Known GHRH/peptide hypersensitivity
  • Any use without medical supervision and without verified product identity/purity/sterility (i.e. gray-market self-administration)
  • Pediatric/adolescent use for non-medical goals
  • Acute critical illness (GH-axis stimulation is generally avoided)
Combinations

Interaction profile

  • MajorWith insulin: Metabolic / glucose
  • ModerateWith another GH secretagogue: Metabolic / glucose
  • ModerateWith growth hormone: Metabolic / glucose
  • ModerateWith IGF-1: Metabolic / glucose
  • ModerateWith a GLP-1 / incretin agonist: Metabolic / glucose
  • ContraindicatedWith DNP: Additive cardiovascular strain

Check a specific combination in the interaction checker.

Harm reduction

Reducing harm & when to stop

  • There are no human trials of CJC-1295 without DAC; you cannot assume its effects or safety are known. Absence of reported harm is not evidence of safety.
  • It is an unapproved, unregulated gray-market peptide: identity, dose, purity, and sterility are unverified, and non-sterile injection risks infection and abscess.
  • By design it raises GH/IGF-1; sustained elevation mimics acromegaly-type risks (fluid retention, joint pain, carpal tunnel, insulin resistance, higher blood glucose). Get baseline and periodic IGF-1, fasting glucose/HbA1c, and blood pressure through a clinician.
  • Do not use with active or prior cancer, diabetes/glucose intolerance, or in pregnancy/breastfeeding.
  • Stop and seek medical care for spreading injection-site redness/pus/fever, new swelling of hands or face, persistent headache or vision changes, hand numbness/tingling, or rising blood glucose.
  • This is educational information, not medical advice, and not an endorsement of use. Discuss any GH-axis symptoms or decisions with a physician/endocrinologist. 21+ only.
Evidence

Citations (7)

Every clinical claim above is tied to a primary source. Overall evidence grade D — this compound lacks adequate human data; claims rest on preclinical or mechanistic evidence.

  1. 01

    CJC-1295 is a tetrasubstituted human GHRH(1-29) analog; the identified compound is the albumin-binding (DAC) maleimido form, distinguishing it from short-acting plain hGRF(1-29) — establishing that removing the DAC moiety yields a short-acting peptide.

    PreclinicalHuman growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog.PMID 15817669 ↗

  2. 02

    In healthy adults, CJC-1295 (with DAC) produced dose-dependent, sustained increases in GH and IGF-1; the DAC form's half-life was 5.8-8.1 days; it was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse reactions at studied doses (30-60 microg/kg). Applies to the DAC form, not the no-DAC form.

    RCTProlonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.PMID 16352683 ↗

  3. 03

    CJC-1295 (with DAC) increased trough and mean GH secretion and IGF-1 while preserving pulsatile GH secretion in healthy men — the mechanism of GH-secretagogue action in humans, shown for the long-acting form.

    RCTPulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.PMID 17018654 ↗

  4. 04

    CJC-1295 (with DAC) stimulates GH and normalizes growth in GHRH-knockout mice and induces somatotroph proliferation — preclinical mechanistic support for the GHRH-analog class.

    PreclinicalOnce-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse.PMID 16822960 ↗

  5. 05

    In a 20-year cohort of patients with Carney complex (a rare hereditary PRKAR1A-mutation tumor syndrome in which cardiac myxoma is already a hallmark lesion), GH excess was associated with a higher myxoma incidence (60% vs 36%) within that genetically predisposed population, with IGF-1 expressed in tumor tissue — evidence specific to Carney complex, not proof that GH/IGF-1 elevation causes cardiac tumors in otherwise-healthy people.

    CohortGrowth hormone and risk for cardiac tumors in Carney complex.PMID 27535175 ↗

  6. 06

    The GHRH analog tesamorelin raised IGF-1 and reduced visceral fat over 26-52 weeks in a large RCT population and was generally well tolerated with no clinically meaningful glucose change at studied doses — closest approved-class human safety/efficacy comparator (a different molecule).

    RCTEffects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials with safety extension data.PMID 20554713 ↗

  7. 07

    No published human clinical trials exist for CJC-1295 without DAC / Mod GRF 1-29; all human evidence pertains to the DAC form or to tesamorelin, so effects and safety of the no-DAC form are extrapolated and the evidence grade is D.

    RCTProlonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.PMID 16352683 ↗

Last reviewed 2026-07-06 · Verified against PubMed · Educational, not medical advice