At a glance: CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are two lab-made peptides that make the pituitary gland release more growth hormone, through two different pathways. They are often combined for body composition, recovery and sleep. Each has a few small human studies, but the combination has never been tested in a clinical trial. Neither is FDA-approved, neither is on the compounding list, and both are banned in sport.
What is CJC-1295 + ipamorelin?
It is a pairing of two separate growth-hormone-releasing peptides, often sold pre-mixed in one vial or injected together:
- CJC-1295 is a synthetic version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), based on its first 29 amino acids, modified to resist breakdown. It was developed by the Canadian company ConjuChem.
- Ipamorelin is a small synthetic peptide (five amino acids) that mimics ghrelin, the "hunger hormone," which also triggers growth hormone release. It is known for being relatively selective, with less effect on cortisol and prolactin than older compounds in its class.
CJC-1295 with DAC vs without DAC
"CJC-1295" on a label can mean two different molecules:
| CJC-1295 with DAC | "CJC-1295 no DAC" (Mod GRF 1-29) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | GHRH analog with a Drug Affinity Complex that binds to albumin in the blood | A related but separate modified GHRH fragment without the albumin-binding group |
| How long it lasts | Half-life of about 6 to 8 days | Clears within hours |
| Growth hormone pattern | Sustained elevation over days | A short, sharp pulse |
| Human data | Small controlled studies in healthy adults | Very limited |
How is the combination supposed to work?
- CJC-1295 activates GHRH receptors on the pituitary, telling it to make and release growth hormone
- Ipamorelin activates ghrelin receptors, a second signal that also triggers release
- Together, the two signals are thought to produce a larger growth hormone pulse than either alone, a pattern seen with GHRH and ghrelin-type compounds in physiology studies
- Growth hormone then raises IGF-1, which drives most of growth hormone's effects on muscle, fat and tissue repair
Because the pituitary still controls the release, growth hormone comes in pulses rather than at the constant level seen with injected synthetic growth hormone.
What the research shows so far
| Study | Who was studied | Main finding |
|---|---|---|
| Teichman et al., 2006 (CJC-1295 with DAC) | Healthy adults aged 21 to 61, single and repeated doses | Growth hormone rose 2- to 10-fold for 6+ days and IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days after one injection; no serious side effects reported |
| ConjuChem phase 2 trial, 2006 (CJC-1295) | 192 people with HIV-related belly fat | Stopped after a participant died hours after an injection; whether the drug caused it was not established, and development did not continue |
| Beck et al., 2014 (ipamorelin) | Patients recovering from bowel surgery (postoperative ileus), phase 2 | No significant difference from placebo on recovery outcomes; side effects similar to placebo |
| The combination | None | No published clinical trial |
Claims about muscle gain, fat loss, sleep and anti-aging come from user reports and from what growth hormone does in general, not from trials of these peptides.
Why it gets attention
- A "natural" growth hormone boost marketed as an alternative to prescription growth hormone
- Body composition and recovery in fitness and bodybuilding communities
- Sleep and anti-aging claims from wellness and longevity clinics
- Pre-mixed blends that make the combination easy to buy online
How it is given
Both peptides are injected under the skin, often together. The DAC form of CJC-1295 is typically used less often because it lasts for days, while the non-DAC form and ipamorelin are short-acting. There is no FDA-approved product and no established human dose for either peptide or the combination, and this page does not provide dosing guidance.
What about side effects?
Reported side effects include injection-site reactions, flushing, headache, water retention, tingling or numbness, and increased hunger (from ipamorelin's ghrelin-like action). Because they raise growth hormone:
- Blood sugar can rise, and insulin resistance can worsen, a concern for people with diabetes or prediabetes
- High IGF-1 over time is a theoretical cancer concern; people with active cancer or a history of cancer face unstudied risks
- Long-term safety is unknown: no study has followed people using these peptides for months or years, and the 2006 trial death was never fully explained
- Product quality: online products may be mislabeled (DAC vs non-DAC confusion is common), contaminated or non-sterile
Regulatory status
- Neither peptide is FDA-approved for any use.
- In September 2024 both were removed from FDA's Category 2 safety-concern list after their compounding nominations were withdrawn. FDA then recommended against both, and its advisory committee reportedly voted against them: ipamorelin 0 to 12 in October 2024 and every form of CJC-1295 (0 to 13 for most) in December 2024.
- Neither is on the list of substances pharmacies may compound, and neither was part of the 2026 peptide reviews.
- Both are prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency as growth-hormone-releasing factors.
- "Research use only" products are unregulated and not intended for human use.
How it compares to other growth hormone peptides
| CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin | Tesamorelin | Sermorelin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | GHRH analog + ghrelin mimetic | GHRH analog | GHRH fragment |
| Human evidence | Small studies of each; none of the combination | Large randomized trials | Older studies |
| US status | Not approved; not compoundable | FDA-approved for HIV-associated belly fat | No longer marketed as an approved drug |
The bottom line
CJC-1295 and ipamorelin do raise growth hormone in people, and the reasoning behind combining them makes physiological sense. But the human research is small and short, a major trial was halted after a death, ipamorelin failed its main clinical trial, and the combination itself has never been tested. Neither is approved or legally compoundable, and both are banned in sport. Anyone concerned about growth hormone, body composition or aging should see a clinician; true growth hormone deficiency has approved, monitored treatments.
Frequently asked questions
What is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (blend)?
Two peptides that act on different steps of growth hormone release, sold together in one vial. Each has its own page on this site.
How is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (blend) taken?
No established route.
Is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (blend) FDA approved?
Not approved.
That means no regulator has reviewed its safety, effectiveness or manufacturing quality for this use.
What has research shown about CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (blend)?
- No published studies have tested this combination. Research on each peptide is summarized on its own page.
What side effects have been reported?
- Unknown for the combination
Serious or less common risks are listed in the Side Effects section above.
What is still unknown about its safety?
Most of it. CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (blend) has not been through the trials that establish long-term safety in people, and products sold online are made by unregulated labs. Independent testing of online peptides has repeatedly found contents that do not match the label.
References
- Teichman SL, et al. 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. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006. View source
- aidsmap: Lipodystrophy study halted after patient death (CJC-1295, July 2006). View source
- Beck DE, et al. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus. International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2014. View source
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin for Management of Post-Operative Ileus (NCT00672074). View source
- Reed Smith: FDA moves certain peptide bulk drug substances from Category 2; PCAC review (October 2024). View source
- World Anti-Doping Agency: 2026 Prohibited List. View source
- Rite Aid: CJC-1295 overview. View source
- Project Biohacking: CJC-1295 and ipamorelin PCAC votes and 503A status. View source