You are holding a vial labeled CJC-1295 DAC and want to understand exactly what it does before you reconstitute it. CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a synthetic GHRH analog that achieves a half-life of 6-8 days by covalently binding to serum albumin after injection. In a clinical trial of 21 healthy adults, a single dose produced 2-10-fold growth hormone increases for 6+ days and 1.5-3-fold IGF-1 increases for up to 11 days (Teichman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006). The standard protocol is 1-2 mg injected subcutaneously once or twice weekly.
| Quick Reference | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | CJC-1295 with Drug Affinity Complex |
| Class | GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone) |
| Half-life | 6-8 days (vs ~30 min for no-DAC version) |
| GH increase | 2-10-fold for 6+ days per dose |
| IGF-1 increase | 1.5-3-fold for 9-11 days |
| Standard dose | 1-2 mg subcutaneous, once weekly |
| Cycle length | 8-16 weeks on, 4-6 weeks off |
| FDA status | Not approved for any indication |
| Developer | ConjuChem Biotechnologies (dissolved) |
For dosing calculations, use our CJC-1295/ipamorelin dosage calculator. For reconstitution, see our peptide reconstitution calculator.
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What Is CJC-1295 With DAC?
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.
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 fish that gets eaten 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.
How CJC-1295 DAC Works: The GH Bleed Effect
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.
CJC-1295 with DAC disrupts this pattern by providing continuous GHRH receptor stimulation. Because the peptide circulates for 6-8 days, the pituitary receives a constant "release GH" signal. The result is a 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 baseline. This is partially reassuring because pulsatile GH signaling activates different gene pathways than continuous exposure.
The GH bleed creates a distinct tradeoff. The sustained elevation drives continuous IGF-1 production in the liver, which benefits fat metabolism and tissue repair around the clock. The downside: continuous GH elevation has a stronger impact on insulin sensitivity than pulsatile release, and it makes side effects harder to manage because the compound remains active for days after each injection.
Clinical Evidence
Two key clinical studies inform our understanding of CJC-1295 with DAC.
The Teichman 2006 Study (Primary Evidence)
This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial enrolled 21 healthy adults aged 21-61. Subjects received single or multiple subcutaneous doses of CJC-1295 at 30, 60, or 100 mcg/kg. The findings form the foundation of all CJC-1295 dosing protocols.
Key results: GH levels increased 2-10-fold within 2 hours and remained elevated for 6+ days after a single dose. IGF-1 rose 1.5-3-fold and stayed elevated for 9-11 days. After multiple weekly doses, mean IGF-1 remained elevated for 28 days. The dose-response was clear: higher doses produced greater and longer GH elevation (PMID: 16352683).
Safety data: No serious adverse events occurred at 30-60 mcg/kg. At 100 mcg/kg, GI side effects increased. The study authors concluded that 30-60 mcg/kg was the optimal dose range, balancing efficacy with tolerability. For a 75 kg (165 lb) person, 30-60 mcg/kg translates to approximately 2.25-4.5 mg per dose.
The GHRH Knockout Mouse Study
Ionescu and Bhatt demonstrated that once-daily CJC-1295 normalized growth in mice genetically engineered to lack GHRH production (Ionescu & Bhatt, Endocrinology, 2006). These mice, which cannot produce their own GHRH, grew normally when treated with CJC-1295. This confirmed that the compound can fully replace endogenous GHRH function.
The clinical implication: CJC-1295 is potent enough to rescue GH secretion even in complete GHRH deficiency. For users with intact GHRH systems, the compound adds to existing signaling rather than replacing it.
Benefits of CJC-1295 With DAC
The following benefits are supported by clinical data on GH/IGF-1 elevation and extrapolated from the well-established physiology of growth hormone.
Sustained GH and IGF-1 Elevation
The defining benefit. A single weekly injection produces continuous GH and IGF-1 elevation. No other peptide provides this duration of effect from a single dose. The practical advantage: your body processes GH and its downstream signals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rather than in brief pulses.
Fat Loss and Body Composition
GH promotes lipolysis (fat breakdown) through hormone-sensitive lipase activation. IGF-1 shifts nutrient partitioning toward muscle protein synthesis and away from fat storage. Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation from CJC-1295 DAC may support more consistent fat oxidation than pulsatile-release peptides. No Phase III body composition trial exists for CJC-1295 specifically. For proven visceral fat reduction, tesamorelin has stronger clinical evidence.
Muscle Recovery and Growth
IGF-1 is a primary driver of satellite cell activation and muscle protein synthesis. Sustained elevation supports recovery between training sessions. Users commonly report improved recovery within the first 2-3 weeks. Strength and lean mass changes typically become measurable at 6-12 weeks. CJC-1295 DAC does not replace proper nutrition and training; it supports the recovery infrastructure.
Sleep Quality Improvement
GH secretion peaks during deep sleep. Many users report deeper, more restorative sleep beginning in week 1-2. Vivid dreams are a commonly reported early sign that the peptide is active. The sleep benefit may partially reflect improved GH-mediated tissue repair during overnight recovery cycles.
Convenient Weekly Dosing
One to two injections per week versus the 7-21 injections required by sermorelin or CJC-1295 no-DAC. For users who travel frequently or dislike daily injections, the DAC version eliminates a significant practical barrier. This convenience is the primary reason many users prefer the DAC variant despite its less natural GH release pattern.
CJC-1295 DAC Dosing Protocol
The Teichman study established 30-60 mcg/kg as the optimal dose range. Practical dosing in clinical settings uses fixed doses rather than weight-based calculations.
| Protocol Level | Dose | Frequency | Cycle Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 1 mg | Once weekly | 8-12 weeks | First-time users; assessing tolerance |
| Standard | 2 mg | Once weekly | 12-16 weeks | Body composition; recovery |
| Advanced | 2 mg | Twice weekly (Mon/Thu) | 12-16 weeks | Maximum GH/IGF-1 elevation |
Starting protocol: Begin at 1 mg weekly for the first 2-3 weeks. This allows you to assess tolerance and observe any side effects before the compound fully accumulates. CJC-1295 DAC has a long washout period: steady-state levels take 2-3 weeks to achieve and 2-3 weeks to clear after discontinuation.
Stacking with ipamorelin: The most common clinical protocol combines CJC-1295 DAC at 1-2 mg weekly with ipamorelin at 200-300 mcg daily. The CJC-1295 DAC provides continuous GHRH pathway stimulation while ipamorelin adds targeted GH pulses through the ghrelin receptor pathway. This dual-pathway approach produces greater GH output than either compound alone.
Injection timing: CJC-1295 DAC can be injected at any time of day because its effects persist for 6-8 days regardless of timing. Many users inject on a fixed weekly schedule (e.g., every Monday morning) for consistency.
For detailed protocols, see our CJC-1295 dosage guide. For pairing strategies, see CJC-1295/ipamorelin benefits.
Reconstitution and Storage
CJC-1295 DAC arrives as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder that requires 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) for a 1 mg dose. Draw 0.8 mL (80 units) for a 2 mg dose. Direct the water stream against the glass wall of the vial, not directly onto the powder. Swirl gently; do not shake.
Storage: Store lyophilized (unreconstituted) powder at -15C (5F) or below for long-term storage, or 2-8C (36-46F) for up to 6 months. Once reconstituted, store at 2-8C (36-46F) in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 weeks of reconstitution. Do not freeze reconstituted peptide.
Use our peptide reconstitution calculator to determine exact draw volumes for your vial size. For reconstitution technique, see how to reconstitute peptides. For shelf life details, see how long reconstituted peptides last.
Side Effects of CJC-1295 With DAC
The DAC variant produces more pronounced side effects than the no-DAC version due to sustained GH elevation. Most side effects are GH-class effects, not compound-specific toxicities.
Common Side Effects
Water retention is the most reported side effect, affecting 15-25% of users. It peaks during weeks 1-4 and typically stabilizes by week 6. Injection site reactions occur in 20-30% of users but are brief. Facial flushing (15-20%) appears 5-15 minutes post-injection and resolves within 30-60 minutes. Tingling or numbness in extremities (10-20%) results from fluid pressure on peripheral nerves and is dose-dependent. Increased appetite (10-15%) stems from downstream ghrelin-pathway effects.
For a complete side effect analysis, see our CJC-1295/ipamorelin side effects guide.
DAC-Specific Concerns
The long half-life creates a unique challenge: if side effects develop, you cannot clear the compound quickly. A dose injected on Monday continues working through the following Sunday. Dose reduction takes 2-3 weeks to show full effect.
Pituitary desensitization is a theoretical concern with continuous GHRH receptor stimulation. The body may downregulate receptor sensitivity over extended use periods. This is why cycling (8-16 weeks on, 4-6 weeks off) is standard practice.
The GH bleed effect may impair insulin sensitivity more than pulsatile GH release. Monitor fasting glucose and HbA1c during your cycle, particularly if you have pre-diabetes risk factors.
The Safety Incident
One death was reported during clinical development of CJC-1295. The circumstances and causal relationship have not been publicly clarified in peer-reviewed literature. The Wikipedia entry on CJC-1295 references this event. Transparent disclosure: this incident occurred, and the lack of detailed published analysis means no definitive conclusion about causality can be drawn.
This underscores the importance of medical supervision when using any research compound. CJC-1295 has not undergone the extensive safety review required for FDA approval. Users accept an inherent level of uncertainty regarding long-term safety.
CJC-1295 DAC vs No-DAC: Which Is Better?
This is the most common question from new users. The answer depends on your priorities.
| Parameter | CJC-1295 With DAC | CJC-1295 No DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | 6-8 days | ~30 minutes |
| GH release pattern | Continuous ("GH bleed") | Pulsatile (natural) |
| Injection frequency | 1-2x weekly | 2-3x daily |
| Water retention | More pronounced | Less pronounced |
| Titration ease | Difficult (long washout) | Easy (clears in hours) |
| Pituitary desensitization risk | Higher (continuous stimulation) | Lower (intermittent stimulation) |
| Insulin sensitivity impact | Greater | Milder |
| Convenience | High | Low |
Choose DAC if: you value weekly dosing convenience, want maximum sustained IGF-1 elevation, and are comfortable with the more pronounced side effect profile and longer washout period.
Choose no-DAC if: you prefer natural pulsatile GH release, want easier dose titration, plan to stack with ipamorelin for synergistic pulses, or are concerned about pituitary desensitization.
For the full comparison, see our DAC vs no-DAC guide. For no-DAC protocols, see our CJC-1295 no-DAC guide.
Results Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
Individual responses vary significantly. The following timeline represents commonly reported experiences from clinical practice, not guaranteed outcomes.
| Timeframe | Expected Changes |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Improved sleep quality, vivid dreams, mild water retention |
| Week 3-4 | Increased energy, faster recovery between workouts, appetite changes |
| Week 5-8 | Measurable body composition shifts begin (fat loss, lean mass) |
| Week 8-12 | Peak body composition benefits; skin and hair quality improvements |
| Week 12-16 | Maximum sustained results (for extended cycles) |
| Post-cycle (week 1-2) | GH returns to baseline; water retention resolves |
| Post-cycle (week 2-4) | IGF-1 normalizes; some benefit retention with maintained training |
Critical context: CJC-1295 DAC is not a shortcut. Users who do not train and eat appropriately will see minimal body composition changes regardless of GH elevation. The peptide supports recovery and metabolic infrastructure; it does not replace the stimulus (training) or building blocks (nutrition).
For comparison to other GHRH analogs, see our CJC-1295 vs sermorelin analysis. For how CJC-1295 compares to FDA-approved options, see tesamorelin vs CJC-1295.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DAC stand for in CJC-1295?
DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex. It is a maleimidoproprionic acid (MPA) moiety attached to the CJC-1295 peptide that covalently binds to serum albumin after injection. This albumin binding extends the peptide's half-life from approximately 30 minutes (without DAC) to 6-8 days, enabling weekly dosing instead of multiple daily injections.
How often do you inject CJC-1295 with DAC?
The standard protocol is 1-2 mg injected subcutaneously once per week. Advanced users may split into two weekly doses (e.g., 1 mg Monday and 1 mg Thursday). Injection can occur at any time of day because the 6-8 day half-life provides continuous activity regardless of timing. Beginners should start at 1 mg weekly for 2-3 weeks.
What is the half-life of CJC-1295 with DAC?
CJC-1295 with DAC has a half-life of 5.8-8.1 days, as measured in the Teichman 2006 clinical trial. This is approximately 500 times longer than CJC-1295 without DAC (30 minutes) and 350 times longer than sermorelin (10-20 minutes). The extended half-life results from covalent binding to serum albumin in the bloodstream.
Can you stack CJC-1295 DAC with ipamorelin?
Yes. This is the most common clinical stack. CJC-1295 DAC (1-2 mg weekly) provides continuous GHRH receptor stimulation while ipamorelin (200-300 mcg daily) adds targeted GH pulses through the ghrelin receptor. The two pathways are synergistic, producing greater GH output than either peptide alone while maintaining ipamorelin's selectivity.
Is CJC-1295 with DAC FDA approved?
No. CJC-1295 with DAC has never been FDA-approved for any indication. It progressed through Phase I/II clinical trials under ConjuChem Biotechnologies but was never submitted for FDA approval. The company has since dissolved. CJC-1295 is available through compounding pharmacies as a research compound with a prescription.
What is the GH bleed effect?
GH bleed refers to the continuous elevation of baseline growth hormone levels caused by CJC-1295 DAC's persistent GHRH receptor stimulation. Normal GH secretion is pulsatile (6-12 pulses per day with near-zero baseline). CJC-1295 DAC raises the baseline so GH never drops to zero. Alba et al. (2006) showed that pulsatile secretion persists on top of this elevated baseline.
How long should you cycle CJC-1295 DAC?
Standard cycles run 8-16 weeks on, followed by 4-6 weeks off. The off-cycle allows GHRH receptors to resensitize and GH/IGF-1 to return to baseline. Beginners should start with 8-week cycles. Extended cycles of 12-16 weeks are common among experienced users. Monitor IGF-1 levels and do not resume until they return to pre-treatment values.
CJC-1295 DAC vs HGH: which is better?
CJC-1295 DAC stimulates your pituitary to release GH naturally, with a biological ceiling on output. Exogenous HGH bypasses the pituitary entirely, enabling supraphysiologic doses. HGH is more potent for muscle growth and fat loss but carries higher risks: pituitary suppression, more severe water retention, and costs $500-3,000 per month versus $150-300 for CJC-1295 DAC.
The Bottom Line
CJC-1295 with DAC is the longest-acting GHRH analog available, converting a peptide with a 30-minute half-life into one that works for 6-8 days. The Teichman 2006 trial confirmed 2-10-fold GH increases and 1.5-3-fold IGF-1 increases from a single dose in healthy adults. Weekly dosing at 1-2 mg is the standard protocol, typically combined with daily ipamorelin for dual-pathway synergy.
The tradeoffs are real. The GH bleed effect may impact insulin sensitivity more than pulsatile alternatives. Side effects are harder to manage because the compound remains active for days. One safety incident occurred during clinical development. No long-term human data exists. Cycle 8-16 weeks on, 4-6 weeks off, and monitor blood work throughout.
Use our CJC-1295/ipamorelin dosage calculator to plan your protocol. For reconstitution, see our peptide reconstitution calculator. For how this compound compares to alternatives, see CJC-1295 vs sermorelin and tesamorelin vs CJC-1295.
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