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WHAT IS CJC-1295?

CJC-1295 is a synthetic GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) analogue made up of 30 amino acids. It has been found to be highly effective with regards to the increase of growth hormone secretion and IGF-1 without negatively affecting the pulsatility of GH secretion.

CJC-1295 is often combined with Ipamorelin due to its enhanced specificity as a GHRH. This peptide generates similar increases in growth hormone secretion, but without the appetite stimulation and increase in cortisol, acetylcholine, prolactin, and aldosterone seen with other peptides in its class. This peptide has been found to be very well-tolerated and perfect when combined with Ipamorelin. 

Gland Stimulated: Pituitary

How CJC-1295 Works in The Body

CJC 1295 offers many benefits to the body, including:

  • Increased growth hormone secretion and IGF-1 Levels with no increase in prolactin
  • Increased Body Weight and Length through increased protein synthesis
  • Increased Muscle Growth
  • Increased Bone Density
  • Improved Immune Function
  • Improved Cognition and Memory
  • Increased Collagen Production
  • Increased Fat Loss
  • Increased Cellular Repair and Regeneration

CJC-1295 also promotes slow wave deep sleep, which is responsible for the highest level of muscle growth and memory retention and rejuvenation.

Read our Guide to CJC 1295 

CJC 1295: GHRH & DAC

GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) is produced in the hypothalamus. Its pulsatile release from the hypothalamus triggers a pulsatile release of GH from the pituitary gland. GHRH has a very short half-life of only a few minutes (half-life = the time required to remove half of the substance from the blood. The shorter the half-life, the more rapidly the substance is removed from the body, and the less its effect on the body).

The first 29 amino acids of GHRH is the active segment. They are available as a manufactured peptide called Sermorelin. Sermorelin was further modified to increase its half-life to 30 minutes. This is called CJC 1295. CJC-1295 was further modified by adding DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) to it. DAC binds to a blood protein called albumin, which increases its half-life to 8 days. It is called CJC 1295 + DAC. CJC 1295 can also be compounded in a non-DAC form which mimics a more normal physiologic GH spike each night.

The longer half-life from the DAC binding to albumin means injections are only required once or twice per week. However, the long half-life and relatively constant blood level provide a constant stimulus for GH release from the pituitary through the GHRH receptor, which is not physiological. This can decrease the GH pulse amplitude which will result in decreased GH tissue stimulation.

Using CJC 1295 Safely

It is recommended when using a long-acting CJC molecule to have 'hormone holidays' of three months each three to six months, to allow the pituitary to 'recover'. During the holidays, Sermorelin is used instead of CJC 1295 + DAC.

The 'hormone holidays' may also minimize the risk of GH resistance developing. This resistance, or insensitivity, may occur via antibodies forming that bind to and inactivate GH, or by a decreased number of GH receptors on tissues (down-regulation). These are theoretical concerns as no long-term studies have been undertaken to clarify the issues.

Side effects of CJC-1295 may include injection site reactions (irritation, erythema, induration, pain, itching), headache, diarrhea, vasodilation (flushing, warmth, transient hypotension), nausea, abdominal pain.

Questions about CJC 1295 or peptide therapy? Contact us today!

Research:

Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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 Mar;91(3):799-805. Epub 2005 Dec 13.

Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA, Kopchick JJ. Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2009 Dec;19(6):471-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2009.03.001. Epub 2009 Apr 21.

Merriam GR1, Buchner DM, Prinz PN, Schwartz RS, Vitiello MV. Potential applications of GH secretagogs in the evaluation and treatment of the age-related decline in growth hormone secretion. Endocrine. 1997 Aug;7(1):49-52.

Sanders JL, Guo W, O'Meara ES, Kaplan RC, Pollak MN, Bartz TM, Newman AB, Fried LP, Cappola AR. Trajectories of IGF-I Predict Mortality in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2018 Jun 14;73(7):953-959

Li Z1, Li Y2. Effect of growth hormone releasing hormone on chondrocytes of osteoarthritis. Korean J Intern Med. 2019 Dec 26. doi: 10.3904/kjim.2018.399.

Barabutis N, Schally AV. Growth hormone-releasing hormone: extrapituitary effects in physiology and pathology. Cell Cycle. 2010 Oct 15;9(20):4110-6. Epub 2010 Oct 27.

Martínez-Moreno CG, Calderón-Vallejo D, Harvey S, Arámburo C, Quintanar JL. Growth Hormone (GH) and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) in the Central Nervous System: A Potential Neurological Combinatory Therapy? Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jan 26;19(2). pii: E375. doi: 10.3390/ijms19020375.

Bianchi VE, Locatelli V, Rizzi L. Neurotrophic and Neuroregenerative Effects of GH/IGF1. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Nov 17;18(11). pii: E2441. doi: 10.3390/ijms18112441.

Sanchez-Bezanilla S, Åberg ND, Crock P, Walker FR, Nilsson M, Isgaard J, Ong LK. Growth Hormone Promotes Motor Function after Experimental Stroke and Enhances Recovery-Promoting Mechanisms within the Peri-Infarct Area. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 17;21(2). pii: E606. doi: 10.3390/ijms21020606.

Yuan T1, Ying J, Jin L, Li C, Gui S, Li Z, Wang R, Zuo Z, Zhang Y. The role of serum growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 in adult humans brain morphology. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 Jan 22;12(2):1377-1396. doi: 10.18632/aging.102688. Epub 2020 Jan 22.