CJC-1295 (with DAC) Deep-Dive
Also known as: CJC-1295 DAC · Modified GRF (1-29) with DAC · DAC:GRF
CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic GHRH analog covalently bound to a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) — a maleimide moiety that conjugates to circulating serum albumin. Researchers investigate the resulting extended half-life and sustained GH-axis stimulation. The non-DAC variant (mod-GRF 1-29) shares the GHRH analog backbone but lacks the albumin-binding modification, producing a much shorter functional duration.
Plasma Half-Life
~8 days (with DAC)
Logarithmic scale · 8 d mapped
Tissue Residency
Sustained GHRH receptor exposure throughout the dosing interval
Quick Facts
- Typical dose
- 1–2 mg per week (with DAC)
- Range
- 1 mg – 2 mg weekly with DAC; non-DAC variant uses 100 mcg multiple-times-daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection. With DAC: weekly dosing. Without DAC: 1–3x daily, often paired pre-bed with Ipamorelin.
- Cycle pattern
- Common practitioner pattern: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. The long DAC half-life means cycle effects persist 1–2 weeks beyond final dose.
- Primary evidence tier
- Expert
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic GHRH analog covalently bound to a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) — a maleimide moiety that conjugates to circulating serum albumin. Researchers investigate the resulting extended half-life and sustained GH-axis stimulation. The non-DAC variant (mod-GRF 1-29) shares the GHRH analog backbone but lacks the albumin-binding modification, producing a much shorter functional duration.
Researchers investigate CJC-1295 (with DAC) in the broader context of the GH Axiscompound class. The compound's proposed relationship to underlying physiology is typically framed against the ATP Shortage axis — a framework DoseCraft uses to organize research priorities across the 90+ compound library.
In the practitioner corpus that trains the DoseCraft AI copilot, CJC-1295 (with DAC)'s mechanism is repeatedly cross-referenced against its pharmacokinetic profile (plasma half-life ~8 days (with DAC)) because dosing cadence, stack selection, and cycling structure all derive from the PK window. This is the core difference between a static calculator and a PK-aware reasoning layer.
Pharmacokinetics
Plasma Half-Life (Logarithmic)
~8 days (with DAC)
Logarithmic scale · 8 d mapped
Tissue Residency
Sustained GHRH receptor exposure throughout the dosing interval
CJC-1295 (with DAC) has a plasma half-life of approximately ~8 days (with DAC). This window is the primary driver of every downstream protocol decision: dosing frequency, stack overlap, cycling length, and the observable duration of subjective response.
Beyond the plasma window, sustained ghrh receptor exposure throughout the dosing interval. This tissue-residency or functional-duration behavior is why practitioner protocols often deviate from what raw plasma half-life alone would suggest.
In the DoseCraft PK model, this compound is mapped onto the same decay-curve framework that powers the half-life visualizer in the app — every stack built in the Protocol Builder factors in the half-life overlap of CJC-1295 (with DAC)alongside any co-administered compounds. Static calculators elsewhere ignore this; it's why the practitioner corpus consistently flags half-life literacy as a top-three safety variable.
From real clinicians · not PubMed abstracts
Practitioner Protocols
Practitioner Corpus
Sourced from 10,000+ hours of clinician-validated protocols, bloodwork reviews, and cycle audits. Not PubMed. Not Reddit.
Clinicians who run high-volume peptide practices distinguish two CJC-1295 use cases: the no-DAC variant (mod-GRF 1-29) for pulsatile pre-bed protocols stacked with Ipamorelin, and the DAC variant for sustained GHRH-receptor exposure with weekly dosing. In protocol audits we've reviewed, the DAC variant trades the natural pulsatile GH release pattern for convenience and sustained exposure — a tradeoff practitioners weigh based on the research goal. The 8-day half-life means residual effects persist 1–2 weeks beyond the final dose.
Dosing
1–2 mg per week (with DAC)
Subcutaneous injection. With DAC: weekly dosing. Without DAC: 1–3x daily, often paired pre-bed with Ipamorelin.
Cycle
Common practitioner pattern: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. The long DAC half-life means cycle effects persist 1–2 weeks beyond final dose.
Evidence Breakdown
Every finding about CJC-1295 (with DAC)is categorized across three independent evidence lanes. You always know what research tier you’re acting on.
- Early-phase trials of CJC-1295 with DAC documented sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation; the program did not advance to approval.
- Strong practitioner consensus on the no-DAC + Ipamorelin pre-bed stack as the canonical pulsatile GH-axis protocol. DAC variant is the convenience option.
- Community protocol logs explore split-dose DAC protocols and various non-DAC pulse-frequency variations; emerging research investigates body-composition applications.
Cycling & Stack Considerations
Cycling Protocol
Common practitioner pattern: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. The long DAC half-life means cycle effects persist 1–2 weeks beyond final dose.
Common Stacks
- •CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin — pre-bed pulsatile protocol
- •CJC-1295 with DAC + Ipamorelin — sustained-baseline + pulse protocol
- •CJC-1295 with DAC solo — convenience-driven weekly protocols
Interactions & Overlap
- •Ipamorelin (canonical GH-axis pairing — synergistic mechanism)
- •Sermorelin (mechanistically redundant; not typically co-administered)
- •Tesamorelin (GHRH analog; not typically co-administered)
Honest negatives · the part other trackers skip
Contraindications & Watch-Outs
Research Watch-Outs
- Active malignancy — sustained GH-axis stimulation theoretically contraindicated
- Pregnancy and lactation — no human safety data
- Pituitary disorders — practitioner consultation required
- Concurrent oncology investigation — coordinate with treating clinicians
CJC-1295 (with DAC) FAQs
What is the half-life of CJC-1295 with DAC?
CJC-1295 with DAC has an approximate 8-day plasma half-life — produced by covalent binding to circulating serum albumin via the DAC maleimide moiety. This long half-life enables 1x weekly dosing.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?
The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification binds the peptide to serum albumin, extending half-life from ~30 minutes (no DAC) to ~8 days (with DAC). The no-DAC variant is used for pulsatile protocols; the DAC variant is used for sustained exposure.
What is the typical CJC-1295 dose?
With DAC: 1–2 mg weekly. Without DAC: 100 mcg per dose, 1–3 times daily, typically pre-bed in combination with Ipamorelin.
Is CJC-1295 stacked with Ipamorelin?
Yes — the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination is the canonical GH-axis research stack. CJC-1295 stimulates GHRH receptors; Ipamorelin stimulates ghrelin receptors. The mechanisms are synergistic.
How long does CJC-1295 with DAC last in the body?
With an ~8-day half-life, CJC-1295 with DAC produces sustained GHRH-receptor exposure throughout the weekly dosing interval. Residual effects persist 1–2 weeks beyond the final dose of a cycle.
Should I use CJC-1295 with or without DAC?
The choice depends on the research goal. No-DAC is preferred for pulsatile protocols mimicking natural GH release; DAC is preferred for convenience-driven sustained-exposure protocols. Practitioners commonly default to no-DAC + Ipamorelin pre-bed.
Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?
CJC-1295 is not FDA approved for any indication and is sold for research use only. Early-phase trials documented sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation but did not advance to approval.
Related Compounds
Track your CJC-1295 (with DAC) protocol in DoseCraft
The PK-aware protocol builder models ~8 days (with DAC) decay, checks stack overlap, and flags contraindications — built on the same practitioner corpus that powers this page.
See pricingFor research use only. Not for human consumption. Not evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content on this page is educational and does not constitute medical advice, dosing guidance, or a protocol recommendation. Consult a qualified clinician before undertaking any research involving peptide compounds.