CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin pairs two research peptides that act on the growth-hormone axis through two separate receptors. The version Isla supplies uses CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Modified GRF (1-29) or Mod GRF 1-29, blended 5 mg + 5 mg with Ipamorelin.
The most common point of confusion is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and CJC-1295 without DAC (no DAC). They share a peptide backbone but behave very differently in the published research, so this guide starts there.
At a glance
| Components | CJC-1295 no DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) + Ipamorelin |
| Isla format | 5 mg / 5 mg blend, 10 mg total, lyophilised |
| CJC-1295 no DAC target | GHRH receptor (pituitary somatotrophs) |
| Ipamorelin target | GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor |
| Third-party COA | Report COA10376 (Bioviridian), in the COA Bank |
CJC-1295 no DAC vs CJC-1295 with DAC
Both start from GRF (1-29), the first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, which is the part of the hormone that carries its activity. Native GRF (1-29) is broken down within minutes, mainly by the enzyme DPP-4. Four amino-acid substitutions (positions 2, 8, 15 and 27) make it more resistant to that breakdown. That tetrasubstituted peptide is Mod GRF (1-29), which is what “CJC-1295 no DAC” refers to.
DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex: a lysine-linked maleimide group added to the peptide so that it binds covalently to serum albumin after administration. Binding to albumin protects the peptide and keeps it circulating for days instead of minutes. The original “CJC-1295” in the literature is the DAC version, which is why the two names are so often mixed up.
| CJC-1295 no DAC | CJC-1295 with DAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Backbone | Mod GRF (1-29), 4 substitutions | Mod GRF (1-29), 4 substitutions |
| Added group | None | Drug Affinity Complex (albumin-binding) |
| Reported half-life | Roughly 30 minutes (commonly cited) | About 5.8 to 8.1 days (Teichman 2006) |
| GH profile in research | A short pulse after each exposure | Prolonged elevation over several days |
| Other names | Mod GRF 1-29, modified GRF (1-29), tetrasubstituted GRF | CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 with DAC |
| Supplied by Isla | Yes, in the CJC + Ipamorelin blend | No |
In short: the no-DAC form produces brief, pulse-like stimulation that sits closer to the body’s own pattern of GHRH release, while the DAC form produces a sustained plateau. Researchers pick between them based on which of those profiles their model calls for.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), the same receptor the hormone ghrelin acts on. That is a different receptor from the GHRH receptor CJC-1295 targets.
Its defining property in the literature is selectivity. Earlier secretagogues such as GHRP-6 also raised cortisol, ACTH and prolactin. In the original animal studies, Ipamorelin released growth hormone without meaningful changes in those hormones, which is why it was described as the first selective growth hormone secretagogue (Raun 1998).
Why the two are paired
Both peptides act on the same pituitary cells but through different signalling. GHRH-receptor activation raises cyclic AMP, while GHS-R1a signals mainly through the phospholipase C pathway. Engaging both at once has been reported to produce a larger release than either alone, a synergistic rather than simply additive effect. Pairing the short-acting no-DAC form with Ipamorelin keeps that combined signal pulse-like.
Both also leave the body’s feedback loop in place: rising IGF-1 still signals the pituitary to slow down, which is one reason secretagogues are studied separately from direct growth hormone.
What the research has looked at
- The DAC concept (2005). Jetté and colleagues described albumin-binding GRF (1-29) conjugates in rats and identified CJC-1295 as a long-lasting analog.
- Pharmacokinetics in healthy adults (2006). Teichman et al. reported an estimated half-life of 5.8 to 8.1 days for CJC-1295 with DAC, with mean GH raised for six days or more and IGF-1 for 9 to 11 days after a single administration.
- Pulsatility (2006). Ionescu and Frohman reported that pulsatile GH secretion persisted during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295.
- Ipamorelin selectivity (1998). Raun et al. characterised Ipamorelin in several animal models as a GH secretagogue with GHRH-like selectivity.
Limits of the evidence
Most published human data concern the DAC version, not Mod GRF (1-29). The roughly 30-minute half-life usually quoted for the no-DAC form comes from secondary sources rather than a dedicated pharmacokinetic study. There is little published work on the specific CJC no-DAC + Ipamorelin combination; the rationale for pairing them is mechanistic. Neither compound is approved by the FDA.
Frequently asked questions
Is CJC-1295 no DAC the same as Mod GRF 1-29?
Yes. “CJC-1295 without DAC”, “CJC-1295 no DAC”, “Mod GRF 1-29” and “modified GRF (1-29)” all refer to the same tetrasubstituted 29-amino-acid peptide.
What does DAC stand for?
Drug Affinity Complex. It is the albumin-binding group that extends the DAC version’s half-life from minutes to days.
Which version does Isla supply?
CJC-1295 without DAC, blended 5 mg + 5 mg with Ipamorelin. View the CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin blend.
Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?
No. Neither form of CJC-1295, nor Ipamorelin, is approved by the FDA. They are supplied for laboratory research only.
Purity and certificates
Every batch ships with a third-party certificate of analysis, published by batch number in our COA Bank. The current blend is covered by report COA10376 from Bioviridian. New to reading certificates? Start with how to read a certificate of analysis.
Related reading: What is Tesamorelin? · What is IGF-1 LR3? · HPLC vs mass spectrometry
References
- Jetté L, Léger R, Thibaudeau K, et al. hGRF1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology. 2005;146(7):3052–3058.
- 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;91(3):799–805.
- Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(12):4792–4797.
- Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552–561.
Research use only
Isla Longevity supplies this compound for laboratory research use only. It is not approved by the FDA for human or veterinary use and is not for human consumption. This article summarises published research and is not medical guidance.
