CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Not medical advice
Describes a named combination people search for — not a prescription. See the Disclaimer.
What It Is
This is the canonical growth-hormone secretagogue pairing: a GHRH analog plus a GHRP, combined to raise endogenous growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1. It targets Muscle & Performance, Recovery, and Sleep. Components:
- CJC-1295 — a synthetic GHRH analog that stimulates the pituitary’s own GH-releasing pathway. In this stack it is almost always the short-acting no-DAC form (Modified GRF 1-29), chosen to preserve pulsatile GH release.
- Ipamorelin — a selective GHRP (ghrelin-receptor agonist) that triggers a clean GH pulse with minimal cortisol/prolactin effect — the “gentle” GHRP.
Why People Combine These
This pairing has the clearest physiological rationale of any stack on this wiki, though efficacy outcomes remain unproven:
- Complementary pathways. CJC-1295 acts at the GHRH receptor; Ipamorelin acts at the ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor. Stimulating both at once produces a larger, synergistic GH pulse than either alone — a well-described pituitary mechanism.
- Matched timing. No-DAC CJC-1295 (~30 min) and Ipamorelin (~2 h, GH peak ~40 min) both act briefly, so they are dosed together to amplify a single natural pulse rather than flatten it.
- Selectivity. Ipamorelin’s clean profile (little cortisol/prolactin/appetite effect) is why it is the default GHRP partner.
Evidence strength
The GH/IGF-1-raising mechanism is Clinical — CJC-1295 raised GH and IGF-1 in early human PK studies, and Ipamorelin releases GH selectively in human/animal pharmacology. But there are no human trials showing muscle, fat-loss, recovery, or sleep benefits from the combination, and both drugs’ development was discontinued. Outcome claims are Anecdotal. See Side Effects & Risk Management.
Reported Dosing
As reported, not advice
Protocols below are as reported in community sources, not a clinical regimen. There is no established human therapeutic dose. See Reconstitution & Dosing Math and Cycling.
| Component | Reported dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 (no-DAC) | ~100 µg per dose | 1–3× daily (SC) | Often pre-sleep and/or post-workout; empty-stomach commonly described |
| Ipamorelin | ~100–300 µg per dose | 1–3× daily (SC) | Injected together with the CJC-1295 dose |
| Combined (typical) | ~100 µg CJC-1295 + ~100–300 µg Ipamorelin | per dose | The standard community pairing |
A pre-bed dose is the most common single-dose protocol (aligning with nocturnal GH release). Reported cycles run 8–12 week blocks with breaks, monitoring IGF-1. The long-acting DAC form of CJC-1295 is generally not used in this pulse-timed pairing. See Cycling.
Combined Risks & Considerations
- GH/IGF-1 effects. Water retention, tingling/numbness (carpal-tunnel-like), flushing/head-rush, and injection-site reactions are commonly reported — consistent with raising GH.
- Chronic elevation concern. Sustained higher GH/IGF-1 carries general theoretical concerns about insulin sensitivity and tissue overgrowth across the GH-secretagogue class; not characterized for this specific stack.
- WADA-banned. GH secretagogues (both GHRH analogs and GHRPs) are prohibited in and out of competition (Prohibited List S2). Tested athletes risk sanctions.
- DAC vs no-DAC mislabeling. Buying the wrong CJC-1295 form changes the pharmacology entirely (weekly depot vs. short pulse).
- Bloodwork. Monitoring IGF-1 and glucose is commonly recommended in community protocols.
- See Side Effects & Risk Management.
Sourcing
This stack is sold as two separate vials or as a pre-mixed “CJC/Ipa” blend. Pre-mixed convenience hides the most important detail — whether the CJC-1295 is the short-acting no-DAC form this protocol assumes, or the long-acting DAC form. Verify before trusting any product:
- Vet the market and vendors: Sourcing
- Read the certificate of analysis (confirm DAC vs no-DAC): How to Read a CoA
- Watch for warning signs: Red Flags & Scams
No vendors are endorsed here.
FAQ
Why combine a GHRH analog with a GHRP? They act on different receptors (GHRH vs ghrelin) and together produce a larger, synergistic GH pulse than either alone.
DAC or no-DAC CJC-1295 for this stack? The no-DAC form (Mod GRF 1-29). Its short action preserves the pulsatile GH pattern that timing with Ipamorelin depends on. See CJC-1295.
Does it build muscle or burn fat in humans? No human trials demonstrate body-composition benefits. Evidence is limited to GH/IGF-1 elevation; outcomes are anecdotal.
Is it FDA-approved? No. Both peptides are unapproved and their pharmaceutical development was discontinued.
Can athletes use it? No — GH secretagogues are banned by WADA in and out of competition.
References
- Teichman S.L. et al. (2006). “Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 91(3):799–805.
- Raun K. et al. (1998). “Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue.” European Journal of Endocrinology, 139(5):552–561.
- Ishida J. et al. (2020). “Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action, and clinical development.” JCSM Rapid Communications.
- WADA (2026). Prohibited List, Section S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).
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