CJC-1295 DAC is a long-acting GHRH analog studied for growth hormone release. Learn how it differs from no-DAC versions, dosing research, and safety.
CJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic peptide that mimics growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and stays active in the body for days instead of minutes. The "DAC" stands for Drug Affinity Complex, a modification that lets the peptide bind to albumin in the bloodstream and resist rapid breakdown. It is a laboratory research chemical: CJC-1295 DAC is not FDA-approved for human use, and no major regulator has cleared it as a treatment for any medical condition.
What Is CJC-1295 DAC?
CJC-1295 belongs to a class of compounds called GHRH analogs. Natural GHRH signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone in pulses, mostly during deep sleep and after exercise. Synthetic analogs are studied because they can stimulate that same receptor.
The DAC modification is what separates this version from older peptides. A linker attaches to the peptide and binds to serum albumin, keeping it in circulation far longer than unmodified GHRH.
- Half-life: roughly 6 to 8 days in published human pharmacokinetic research.
- Receptor target: the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells.
- Downstream effect studied: rising growth hormone and IGF-1 levels.
- Regulatory status: sold as a research chemical, not an approved drug.
CJC-1295 DAC vs No DAC
Most comparisons involve the DAC version and CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Mod GRF 1-29 or Modified GRF (1-29). Both act on the same receptor, but they behave very differently once in the body.
| Feature | CJC-1295 DAC | CJC-1295 Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | About 6 to 8 days | About 30 minutes |
| Albumin binding | Yes | No |
| Growth hormone pattern | Sustained elevation between doses | Brief pulses that fade quickly |
| Research dosing frequency | About once weekly or every few days | Several times per day |
| Common vial sizes | 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg | 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg |
| Reported effects (largely anecdotal) | Fluid retention, headache, flushing | Similar but shorter-lived |
Neither version has been approved for human use. The distinctions above come from pharmacokinetic research, not from clinical treatment guidelines.
What Research Has Reported
The best-known human study of CJC-1295 DAC appeared in 2006 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. It enrolled healthy adults and found that a single subcutaneous dose produced dose-dependent increases in growth hormone and IGF-1 that lasted up to six days.
That study was small and short. It measured hormone levels and safety markers, not changes in body composition, recovery, or athletic performance. No large randomized trial has established CJC-1295 DAC as a therapy for any condition.
Later published work has centered mostly on pharmacokinetics, analytical methods for detecting the peptide, and combination protocols in animal models.
Dosage and Reconstitution in Research Settings
There is no approved human dose of CJC-1295 DAC. Any cjc-1295 with dac dosage figures floating around online trace back to forum posts, vendor pages, or animal studies rather than controlled human trials.
Published human pharmacokinetic work measured single amounts in micrograms per kilogram of body weight. Vendors, by contrast, usually describe quantities per vial. Common presentations include:
| Vial size | Typical reconstitution volume (bacteriostatic water) | Approximate concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mg | 1 mL | 2 mg/mL |
| 5 mg | 1 to 2 mL | 5 mg/mL or 2.5 mg/mL |
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL |
A cjc 1295 dac 10mg vial is simply a larger quantity of the same lyophilized powder, and it changes nothing about how the compound behaves biologically.
Because the peptide stays active for days, a dose cannot be "undone" quickly if an adverse reaction occurs. Anyone weighing personal use of a research peptide should talk with a licensed healthcare professional first, since unregulated products can be mislabeled, underdosed, or contaminated.
Safety, Side Effects, and Regulatory Status
CJC-1295 DAC is not approved by the FDA, the EMA, or any other major regulator for human use. In the United States it is generally sold as a research chemical with a "not for human consumption" label, and the World Anti-Doping Agency bans GHRH analogs for athletes in competition.
Reported effects in the small human study and in user anecdotes include:
- Injection site irritation, redness, or pain
- Headache, flushing, or lightheadedness shortly after dosing
- Water retention and tingling in the hands or feet
- Elevated IGF-1, a theoretical concern with prolonged use
The long half-life is itself a safety consideration. A short-acting peptide clears within hours, while CJC-1295 DAC can keep stimulating the GHRH receptor for most of a week.
Buying and Storing CJC-1295 DAC for Research
Reputable laboratory suppliers provide a certificate of analysis with purity data from independent testing, usually by HPLC and mass spectrometry. Purity claims without third-party documentation are difficult to verify.
When you look at cjc 1295 dac for sale listings, prices vary widely, and low-cost vials are the ones most often found to be underdosed or misidentified in independent testing. Cold-chain shipping matters too, because heat degrades peptides.
Lyophilized powder should be stored frozen and protected from light. Once reconstituted, peptide solutions are typically refrigerated and used within a few weeks, with repeated freeze-thaw cycles avoided.
Personal reports are not evidence. Threads such as cjc 1295 no dac ipamorelin reddit discussions mix genuine lab experience with guesswork, so treat them as informal anecdotes rather than clinical findings.
The bottom line: CJC-1295 DAC is a long-acting GHRH analog studied for sustained growth hormone release, not an approved medication. Its extended half-life, limited human data, and unregulated market all argue for caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CJC-1295 DAC used for?
In research settings, CJC-1295 DAC is used to study sustained stimulation of the GHRH receptor and the resulting increases in growth hormone and IGF-1. It is not approved to treat any human condition, and there is no established medical use for it in the United States.
How long does CJC-1295 DAC stay in your system?
The DAC modification allows the peptide to bind albumin, giving it a half-life of roughly 6 to 8 days in published human research. In the 2006 study of healthy adults, a single dose raised growth hormone and IGF-1 levels for up to about six days.
Is CJC-1295 DAC legal to buy in the United States?
It is sold as a research chemical for laboratory use, not as an FDA-approved drug for human consumption. Legal status depends on how the product is labeled, imported, and intended to be used, so researchers should check applicable federal and state rules and buy only from suppliers that publish third-party purity testing.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.