Quick Overview.
CJC-1295 No DAC, also known as Mod GRF 1-29 (Modified Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor 1-29), is a synthetic analogue of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH) in a pulsatile manner that mimics the body [2]'s natural physiological rhythm[1].
Unlike its counterpart CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex), which provides a continuous, multi-day elevation of GH, CJC-1295 No DAC has a short half-life of approximately 30 minutes [2][2]. This short half-life requires frequent dosing but prevents the "GH bleed" (continuous non-pulsatile elevation) associated with the DAC version, making it the preferred choice for long-term use in anti-aging and performance contexts.
It is almost exclusively stacked with a Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHSR) agonist, such as Ipamorelin or GHRP-6, to achieve a synergistic, amplified GH pulse[3].
- Primary Use Case: Anti-aging, recovery, sleep improvement, and mild body composition enhancement.
- Mechanism: Binds to the GHRH receptor on the anterior pituitary, stimulating the synthesis and release of endogenous GH[1].
- Who it is for: Individuals seeking the benefits of elevated GH without the risks of exogenous synthetic HGH or the continuous elevation caused by CJC-1295 with DAC.
Turn this protocol into your actual schedule.
Log every dose, every side-effect, and every PR on one timeline.
The Protocol & Usage Guide.
confidence_tier: community
Because CJC-1295 No DAC has a 30-minute half-life, it must be injected multiple times per day to achieve significant 24-hour GH elevation. It is highly sensitive to insulin; injecting it when blood glucose or insulin is elevated will blunt the GH release.
Standard Dosing
| Experience Level | Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 100 mcg | 1x daily (before bed) |
| Intermediate | 100 mcg | 2x daily (morning, before bed) |
| Advanced | 100 mcg | 3x daily (morning, post-workout, before bed) |
Note: Doses above 100 mcg per injection do not yield a proportionally larger GH pulse due to pituitary receptor saturation (the "ceiling effect").
Cycle Length
- Standard: 8–12 weeks.
- Schedule: 5 days on, 2 days off (to prevent receptor downregulation), or 6 days on, 1 day off.
Administration Rules
- Route: Subcutaneous injection (abdomen or thigh).
- Fasting Requirement: Must be administered on an empty stomach. Wait at least 2 hours after eating before injecting, and wait 30 minutes after injecting before consuming any calories.
Reconstitution Math
- Vial Size: 2 mg (2,000 mcg)
- Bacteriostatic Water Added: 2 mL
- Concentration: 1,000 mcg per mL
- To draw 100 mcg: Pull to the 10-unit mark (0.1 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Nutritional Support & Recommended Supplements.
confidence_tier: emerging
To maximize the GH pulse and support the resulting tissue repair, specific nutritional conditions must be met.
Macronutrient Timing
- Pre-injection: Zero carbohydrates and zero fats for 2 hours prior. Elevated insulin completely blunts the GHRH-induced GH pulse.
- Post-injection: Wait 30 minutes before eating. The subsequent meal should prioritize protein to provide the amino acid building blocks for GH-mediated repair.
Micronutrients
- Zinc: 15–30 mg daily. Essential for GH synthesis and receptor function.
- Magnesium: 200–400 mg daily (glycinate or threonate). Supports sleep architecture, which synergizes with the bedtime GH pulse.
Protective Supplements
- No data available. CJC-1295 No DAC does not typically require organ support or cycle support supplements.
Safety, Interactions & Side Effect Management.
confidence_tier: emerging
CJC-1295 No DAC is generally well-tolerated, with side effects primarily related to the acute GH pulse or the injection itself.
Side Effect Profile
| Side Effect | Severity | Frequency | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head rush / Flushing | Mild | Common | Occurs immediately post-injection; resolves in 10-15 minutes. No action needed. |
| Injection site reaction | Mild | Occasional | Rotate sites; ensure proper reconstitution technique. |
| Water retention | Mild | Rare | Reduce dose or frequency; monitor sodium intake. |
| Numbness/Tingling (hands) | Moderate | Rare | Indicates dose is too high; reduce frequency. |
Contraindications
- Absolute: Active cancer or history of cancer (GH/IGF-1 can stimulate tumor growth).
- Relative: Pre-diabetes or insulin resistance (GH can reduce insulin sensitivity, though less severely than exogenous HGH).
Red Flags
- Fasting Blood Glucose > 100 mg/dL: Discontinue use and assess insulin sensitivity.
- Severe joint pain or carpal tunnel symptoms: Indicates excessive GH elevation; reduce dose immediately.
Pregnancy, Lactation & Fertility
- No data available. Use is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation due to unknown effects on fetal development.
Common Stacks & Combinations.
confidence_tier: community
CJC-1295 No DAC is rarely used alone. It is almost universally stacked with a GHRP (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide) to achieve a synergistic effect.
The Synergistic Stack
- CJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin: The gold standard anti-aging stack. CJC-1295 (a GHRH) increases the amplitude of the GH pulse, while Ipamorelin (a GHRP) increases the number of somatotropes releasing GH and suppresses somatostatin (the hormone that stops GH release). Together, they produce a GH pulse up to 10 times larger than either compound alone.
- Protocol: 100 mcg CJC-1295 No DAC + 100 mcg Ipamorelin drawn into the same syringe, injected 1-3 times daily.
Anti-Pattern Stacks (Avoid)
| Stack | Severity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 No DAC + Exogenous HGH | High | Exogenous HGH suppresses endogenous pituitary function via negative feedback, rendering the CJC-1295 useless. |
| CJC-1295 No DAC + CJC-1295 with DAC | High | Compete for the same receptor; the DAC version will cause receptor downregulation, negating the pulsatile benefits of the No DAC version. |
Body Composition & Training Guide.
confidence_tier: community
While not a potent mass-builder like anabolic steroids, CJC-1295 No DAC supports slow, steady body composition improvements over months of use.
Expected Trajectory
| Timeline | Expected Effects |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Improved sleep quality, vivid dreams, mild water retention. |
| Weeks 3–6 | Faster recovery between workouts, improved skin elasticity. |
| Weeks 7–12 | Mild fat loss (lipolysis), slight increase in lean body mass fullness. |
Contexts
- Cutting: Excellent for preserving lean mass while in a caloric deficit. The GH pulse strongly stimulates lipolysis.
- Bulking: Provides recovery support, but will not directly drive massive hypertrophy.
Storage, Handling & Accessibility.
confidence_tier: well-established
- Unreconstituted (Lyophilized Powder): Store in the freezer (-20°C) for up to 24 months, or refrigerator (2-8°C) for up to 12 months. Keep away from light.
- Reconstituted (Liquid): Must be stored in the refrigerator (2-8°C).
- Beyond Use Date (BUD): 28 days after reconstitution with bacteriostatic water. Discard any remaining solution after this point.
- Handling: Do not shake the vial after adding water; swirl gently to dissolve.
Bloodwork Monitoring Guide.
confidence_tier: emerging
Monitoring is essential to ensure efficacy and prevent insulin resistance.
Baseline Panel (Before starting)
- IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1)
- Fasting Glucose & HbA1c
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Mid-Cycle Panel (Week 6)
- IGF-1: Should be elevated compared to baseline, confirming the compound is legitimate and effective.
- Fasting Glucose: Monitor for upward drift. If >100 mg/dL, consider reducing dose or discontinuing.
Note for your doctor: "I am taking a synthetic GHRH analogue (Mod GRF 1-29) that stimulates endogenous growth hormone release. I need to monitor my IGF-1 levels [1] for efficacy and my fasting glucose/HbA1c to ensure my insulin sensitivity is not degrading."
Comparison to Similar Compounds.
confidence_tier: well-established
| Compound | Half-Life | GH Release Pattern | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 No DAC | ~30 mins | Pulsatile (mimics natural rhythm) | Long-term use, anti-aging, stacking with GHRPs. |
| CJC-1295 with DAC | 6–8 days | Continuous (GH bleed) | Convenience (1x/week injection), short bursts of extreme recovery. |
| Sermorelin | ~10 mins | Pulsatile | Beginners, those who prefer an FDA-approved (historically) compound. |
| Tesamorelin | ~30 mins | Pulsatile | Targeted visceral fat loss (FDA approved for HIV lipodystrophy). |
Deep Dive (For Advanced Researchers).
confidence_tier: emerging
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 No DAC is a 29-amino acid peptide that functions as a GHRH analogue. It binds to the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotropes, activating the cAMP/PKA pathway, which leads to the transcription of the GH1 gene and the exocytosis of stored GH vesicles.
The "Tetrasubstituted" Modifications
Native human GHRH(1-29) has a half-life of less than 10 minutes due to rapid cleavage by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) between residues 2 and 3. CJC-1295 No DAC incorporates four amino acid substitutions (tetrasubstituted) to resist enzymatic degradation:
- Position 2: D-Ala replaces L-Ala (prevents DPP-IV cleavage).
- Position 8: Gln replaces Asn (reduces asparagine rearrangement).
- Position 15: Ala replaces Gly (enhances bioactivity).
- Position 27: Leu replaces Met (prevents methionine oxidation).
These modifications extend the half-life to approximately 30 minutes, allowing sufficient time to stimulate a robust GH pulse without causing a continuous GH bleed.
Clinical Trials
Note: Most formal clinical trials evaluated CJC-1295 with* DAC. Data on the No DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) is primarily derived from early pharmacokinetic studies and extensive community use.*
| Study | Design | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Jette 2005 [5] [6] | Animal model (Rats) | Identified the tetrasubstituted modifications that protect the peptide from DPP-IV degradation, establishing the foundation for Mod GRF 1-29. |
Active Metabolites
- No data available.
Open Questions
- The exact degree of receptor downregulation that occurs if the "5 days on, 2 days off" protocol is ignored remains unquantified in human trials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
confidence_tier: community
Q: What is the difference between CJC-1295 No DAC and Mod GRF 1-29? A: They are the exact same compound. "Mod GRF 1-29" is the scientifically accurate name, while "CJC-1295 No DAC" is a marketing term that became popular in the community.
Q: Do I have to stack it with Ipamorelin? A: No, but it is highly recommended. Using CJC-1295 No DAC alone produces a very small GH pulse compared to the synergistic effect of combining it with a GHRP like Ipamorelin.
Q: Why do I feel a head rush immediately after injecting? A: This is a common and harmless side effect caused by the rapid binding of the peptide to receptors, causing a mild, transient vasodilation (flushing). It passes in 10-15 minutes.
Q: Can I eat carbs before injecting if I workout first? A: No. Any elevation in insulin will blunt the GH pulse. You must be in a fasted state (at least 2 hours post-meal) regardless of your workout timing.
Q: Will this shut down my natural GH production? A: No. Because it stimulates a pulse and then clears the system quickly (30-minute half-life), it preserves the natural negative feedback loop and does not cause pituitary shutdown like exogenous HGH.
Q: Can women use CJC-1295 No DAC? A: Yes, the dosing protocol (100 mcg) is generally the same for men and women.
Q: Does it need to be refrigerated before mixing? A: Lyophilized (unmixed) powder is best stored in the freezer for long-term stability, but can survive at room temperature during shipping. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, it must be refrigerated.
International Regulatory Status.
confidence_tier: well-established
| Agency | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US FDA | Unapproved | Not approved for human use. Available only as a research chemical or via compounding pharmacies. |
| WADA | Banned | Listed under S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics).[4] |
| UK MHRA | Unapproved | Not licensed for medical use.[7] |
| EU EMA | Unapproved | Not licensed for medical use.[8] |
| Health Canada | Unapproved | Not licensed for medical use. |
| Australia TGA | Restricted | Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicine) or Schedule 10 depending on specific classification. |
Decision Tree.
confidence_tier: community
[Start] -> Are you willing to inject 1-3 times daily?
|
+-- (No) -> STOP: Consider CJC-1295 with DAC (1x/week) or MK-677 (oral).
|
+-- (Yes) -> Are you willing to strictly fast for 2 hours before each injection?
|
+-- (No) -> STOP: The GH pulse will be blunted by insulin. This protocol will not work for you.
|
+-- (Yes) -> Are you a tested athlete?
|
+-- (Yes) -> STOP: Banned by WADA.
|
+-- (No) -> Proceed with CJC-1295 No DAC (ideally stacked with Ipamorelin).Schema.org Data.
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}What we cited.
- Jetté, L., Léger, R., Thibaudeau, K., Benquet, C., Robitaille, M., Pellerin, I., Paradis, V., van Wyk, P., Pham, K., & Bridon, D. P. (2005). Human 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. Endocrinology, 146(7), 3052–3058. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2004-1286
- Teichman, S. L., Neale, A., Lawrence, B., Gagnon, C., Castaigne, J. P., & Frohman, L. A. (2006). Prolonged 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. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 91(3), 799–805. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1536
- Reddit r/Peptides. "Dosing CJC-1295 without DAC and ipamorelin stack." Accessed May 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/Peptides/comments/111x87j/dosing_cjc1295_without_dac_and_ipamorelin_stack/
- World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). "Prohibited List." Accessed May 2026. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "FDA alerts consumers about safety risks of compounded peptides." Accessed May 2026.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). "Poisons Standard." Accessed May 2026.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). "Human medicines regulations." Accessed May 2026.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). "Medicines." Accessed May 2026.
- Semenistaya E, Zvereva I, Rodchenkov G, et al. Detection of growth hormone releasing peptides and analogues in human urine. Drug Test Anal. 2015;7(11-12):1039-1045. doi:10.1002/dta.1888