CJC-1295 With DAC: Long-Acting GHRH Analog

CJC-1295 with DAC is a modified version of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The base peptide is GRF(1-29), the first 29 amino acids of natural GHRH, with four amino acid substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 that protect it from enzymatic breakdown. The DAC component is what makes this variant unique among all GHRH analogs.

DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex. It consists of a maleimidoproprionic acid (MPA) group attached to a lysine residue on the peptide. After injection, this MPA group reacts with a cysteine residue on serum albumin, forming a covalent bond (Jette & LeBlanc, Bioconjug Chem, 2005). The peptide effectively hitches a ride on the most abundant protein in your blood.

Think of albumin as a cargo ship circulating through your bloodstream. Without DAC, the peptide is a small molecule that gets degraded by enzymes within minutes. With DAC, the peptide bolts itself to the hull of the cargo ship and circulates for days. Albumin has a half-life of approximately 19 days in humans, and the peptide benefits from this extended circulation for as long as the bond holds.

ConjuChem Biotechnologies in Montreal developed the DAC technology and identified CJC-1295 as their lead compound. The company progressed through Phase I/II clinical trials before dissolving. The compound was never submitted for FDA approval.

Normal GH secretion is pulsatile. Your pituitary releases 6-12 GH pulses per day, with the largest occurring during stage 3-4 deep sleep. Between pulses, GH levels drop to near zero. This pulsatile pattern is how the body regulates GH signaling: receptor sensitivity is preserved through intermittent stimulation.

CJC-1295 with DAC disrupts this pattern by providing continuous GHRH receptor stimulation. The peptide circulates for 6-8 days, delivering a constant "release GH" signal to the pituitary. The result is sustained elevation of baseline GH levels rather than distinct peaks and troughs. Researchers call this the "GH bleed" effect.

Alba et al. studied this phenomenon and found an important nuance: pulsatile GH secretion persists on top of the elevated baseline (Alba et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006). The pituitary still produces GH pulses; they simply start from a higher floor. This is partially reassuring because pulsatile GH signaling activates different gene pathways than continuous exposure.

The GH bleed creates a real tradeoff. Sustained elevation drives continuous IGF-1 production in the liver, supporting fat metabolism and tissue repair around the clock. The cost: continuous GH elevation impacts insulin sensitivity more than pulsatile release, and side effects are harder to manage because the compound remains active for days after each injection.

Two key clinical studies inform our understanding of CJC-1295 with DAC.

The following benefits are supported by clinical data on GH/IGF-1 elevation and extrapolated from the established physiology of growth hormone. Body composition endpoints specific to CJC-1295 have not been studied in Phase III trials.

The Teichman study established 30-60 mcg/kg as the optimal dose range. Clinical practice uses fixed doses rather than weight-based calculations for convenience.

Starting protocol: Begin at 1 mg weekly for the first 2-3 weeks. CJC-1295 DAC has a long washout period: steady-state levels take 2-3 weeks to achieve and 2-3 weeks to clear after stopping. Assess tolerance before increasing to 2 mg.

Stacking with ipamorelin: The most common clinical protocol combines CJC-1295 DAC at 1-2 mg weekly with ipamorelin at 200-300 mcg daily. CJC-1295 DAC provides continuous GHRH receptor stimulation; ipamorelin adds targeted GH pulses through the ghrelin receptor. Two pathways produce greater GH output than either compound alone. For full stack data, see CJC-1295/ipamorelin benefits.

Injection timing: CJC-1295 DAC can be injected at any time of day because effects persist for 6-8 days regardless of timing. A fixed weekly schedule (e.g., every Monday morning) improves consistency.

For detailed protocols, see our CJC-1295 dosage guide.

CJC-1295 DAC arrives as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder requiring reconstitution before injection.

Reconstitution: Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 5 mg vial. This yields a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Draw 0.4 mL (40 units on an insulin syringe calibrated to 100 units/mL) for a 1 mg dose. Draw 0.8 mL (80 units) for a 2 mg dose. Direct the water stream against the glass wall, not directly onto the powder. Swirl gently; do not shake or vortex.

Storage: Store lyophilized powder at -15°C (5°F) or below for long-term storage, or at 2-8°C (refrigerator) for up to 6 months. Once reconstituted, store at 2-8°C and use within 3-4 weeks. Never freeze reconstituted peptide.

Use our peptide reconstitution calculator for exact draw volumes for any vial size. For step-by-step reconstitution technique, see how to reconstitute peptides. For shelf life details, see how long reconstituted peptides last.

The DAC variant produces more pronounced side effects than the no-DAC version because sustained GH elevation drives stronger fluid retention and metabolic effects.

This is the most common question from new users. The answer depends on your priorities.

Choose DAC for weekly dosing convenience, maximum sustained IGF-1 elevation, and if you are comfortable with the more pronounced side effect profile.

Choose no-DAC for natural pulsatile GH release, easier dose titration, and stack compatibility with ipamorelin for targeted daily GH pulses.

For the full comparison, see our DAC vs no-DAC guide. For no-DAC protocols, see our CJC-1295 no-DAC guide.

Individual responses vary significantly. The following reflects commonly reported experiences from clinical practice.

CJC-1295 DAC is not a substitute for training and nutrition. Users who do not exercise and eat appropriately will see minimal body composition changes regardless of GH elevation. The peptide supports recovery infrastructure; it does not create results in the absence of stimulus.

For how this compound compares to alternatives, see CJC-1295 vs sermorelin. For the FDA-approved GHRH analog comparison, see tesamorelin vs CJC-1295.

Monitoring blood markers throughout your cycle catches problems early and documents whether the compound is working.

Target IGF-1 range: remain within the upper-normal reference range for your age (generally 80-350 ng/mL for adults). Levels substantially above this may increase side effect risk. If fasting glucose exceeds 126 mg/dL on two consecutive readings, consult your physician and consider stopping.

For comprehensive safety guidance, see our peptide safety guide. For CJC-1295/ipamorelin side effects and monitoring, see our dedicated side effects guide.

CJC-1295 with DAC is not FDA-approved for any indication. All human dosing data comes from a single Phase I/II trial of 21 subjects. No long-term safety data exists.

Do not use if you have active cancer or a history of hormone-sensitive cancers (prostate, breast, colorectal) without oncologist clearance. GH and IGF-1 elevation may theoretically promote tumor growth.

Do not use with type 1 diabetes or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Continuous GH elevation impairs insulin sensitivity.

Discontinue if IGF-1 exceeds the upper reference range for your age, fasting glucose rises above 126 mg/dL, or severe persistent edema develops.

For stacking guidance, see our peptide stacking guide. For a broader GH peptide comparison including FDA-approved options, see tesamorelin vs sermorelin vs ipamorelin.