What is CJC-1295 and How to Get the Most Out of It

CJC-1295 is a synthetic peptide that resembles the naturally occurring growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The peptide stimulates the GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland and induces the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland.

A distinct feature of CJC-1295 is its extended half-life and duration of effects, which could be beneficial for therapies targeting increased GH levels, potentially leading to benefits like:

• enhanced IGF-1 levels
• weight loss
• increased lean muscle mass

 

CJC-1295 is also often combined with other peptides that stimulate GH synthesis via a separate mechanism – the activation of the ghrelin receptors in the pituitary.

These peptides work synergistically, where CJC-1295 provides a steady GH increase while the ghrelin mimetic boosts peak GH levels. The extended half-life and the potential synergy with other peptides make CJC-1295 a versatile tool in peptide therapies.

What is CJC-1295?

CJC-1295 is a synthetic hormone developed in the early 2000s that mimics the function of the GHRH and stimulates the production of GH by the pituitary gland.

CJC-1295 was proven to work in clinical trials, which reveal that a single injection of the peptide can boost basal GH levels significantly, showcasing a 7.5-fold increase. The increase in basal levels also contributed to a 44% increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels – the main anabolic mediator of GH.

Moreover, the increase in basal GH levels lasted for a long period of time – the 12-hour mean GH levels were 46% higher even over a week after the injection, thanks to the long half-life of the peptide.

CJC-1295 is a peptide that consists of a fragment of the GHRH molecule that possesses several modifications in order to achieve such an extended duration of effect.

It has four of the amino acids in the original GHRH fragment substituted, which prolongs the half-life of the peptide up to 30 minutes, and also CJC-1295 is often attached to a drug affinity complex (DAC) molecule that extends the half-life even further – reaching up to 8 days.

Thus, CJC-1295 can function as a GHRH-analog with a medium to extremely long duration of effectiveness, depending on its modifications.

Consequently, CJC-1295 may stay in your system for up to a few hours, while CJC-1295 with DAC will remain detectable for weeks.

Data on the safety of CJC-1295 is limited, showcasing that it is well tolerated when applied for up to three consecutive weeks.

What is CJC-1295 used for?

CJC-1295 is primarily utilized for its ability to stimulate the release of GH from the pituitary gland, which can have a variety of benefits. For example, the peptide was initially developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies, a Canadian company, as a therapeutic agent for treating lipodystrophy in HIV/AIDS patients.

Lipodystrophy is a condition characterized by abnormal fat distribution, typically seen as a side effect of anti-HIV treatments in these patients. It involves a reduction in fat in areas like the face and limbs, coupled with an accumulation of fat in the abdominal region and around internal organs (visceral fat).

This GH-stimulating property makes CJC-1295 potentially beneficial for lipodystrophy, as elevated GH levels can have potent fat-burning effects, especially for visceral fat, while at the same time countering the muscle wasting that may occur in HIV/AIDS patients.

As previously noted, CJC-1295 can lead to a significant and prolonged elevation in GH levels. Another trial reported that the peptide was capable of inducing a 4-fold (300%) increase in 24-hour mean GH levels.

Following repeated weekly administrations (30 mcg/kg/week), the peptide increased IGF-1 levels within 8 hours of the first dose, and the effect was additive after each consequent injection.

However, the clinical development of CJC-1295 encountered challenges. The peptide advanced to a phase 2 clinical trial, investigating its potential in the aforementioned patient population, but the study was halted due to unexpected events.

Use of CJC-1295 with DAC

CJC-1295 with DAC, also referred to as CJC-1295 DAC or DAC:GRF, is the version of the peptide which is modified at the C-terminus with the addition of a drug affinity complex.

This complex is composed of a maleimide group attached to a propionic acid backbone, forming N-epsilon-3-maleimidopropionamide. The maleimide within this complex is notable for its high affinity for serum proteins, particularly their thiol groups (-SH).

Consequently, CJC-1295 DAC demonstrates effective binding to plasma proteins, significantly extending its half-life in human serum.

As mentioned, the unmodified version of the peptide, CJC-1295 without DAC, has a half-life of approximately 30 minutes, while the addition of the DAC extends the half-life of CJC-1295 to about eight days.

The attachment of DAC to the peptide and the extended half-life allows for more convenient once-weekly or even twice-weekly dosing, which significantly improves adherence to therapy.

Based on the available data, CJC-1295 has been dosed at 30 mcg/kg and given once per week. However, long-term data is lacking to report on what to expect from this therapy, as well as the timeline of potential benefits.

Use of CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin

CJC-1295 without DAC is often used in combination with Ipamorelin, another peptide that triggers the release of GH from the pituitary gland.

Unlike GHRH-analogs, peptides like Ipamorelin work through a different mechanism. It interacts with a specific set of receptors on the pituitary gland known as growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptors.

These receptors are responsive to ghrelin, the naturally occurring hunger hormone. As a result, Ipamorelin acts as a ghrelin mimetic, stimulating GH release but also replicating other ghrelin-related effects, such as increasing appetite.

However, Ipamorelin is uniquely selective, specifically stimulating GH production without impacting other hormones secreted by the pituitary gland.

This specificity makes Ipamorelin the most popular choice for pairing with GHRH-analogs like CJC-1295 without DAC.

Research indicates that combining GHRH-analogues with growth hormone secretagogues can create synergistic effects, leading to higher GH levels than when either peptide is used alone.

While specific data on the combination of CJC-1295 without DAC and Ipamorelin is lacking, both peptides share similar pharmacokinetic profiles. CJC-1295 without DAC has a half-life of about 30 minutes, while Ipamorelin’s half-life is approximately 120 minutes, allowing for once or twice daily dosing.

There is limited data on the precise dosing of CJC-1295 without DAC, but similar peptides have been administered at 10 mcg/kg daily. Studies suggest that Ipamorelin might require a similar or higher dosage. Therefore, when these two peptides are blended in a 1:1 ratio, a combined daily dosage of around 20 mcg/kg is suggested.

How to take CJC-1295 effectively

Based on the available scientific research, CJC-1295 should be administered subcutaneously, with the most common regime involving once-weekly administration, thanks to the presence of DAC that extends the half-life of the compound.

Subcutaneous administration of peptides involves injecting the compound into the fatty layer of tissue just beneath the skin. This method is commonly used for its ease of self-administration and efficient absorption of the medication.

The most appropriate sites for such injections include:

• Abdomen: Usually 2 inches away from the belly button. This area is preferred due to its ample fat tissue and lower sensitivity.
• Thigh: The upper outer quadrant of the thigh, midway between the hip and the knee. This site is suitable for self-injection, offering easy access and sufficient fatty tissue.
• Upper Arm: The posterior aspect of the upper arm, in the area of the triceps. This site is often used if a caregiver is administering the injection, as it can be harder to reach for self-injection.
• Lower Back: Above the buttock and below the waistline. This area can be used, but it’s less common due to difficulty in self-administering and potentially less fat tissue compared to other sites.

 

It’s important to rotate the injection sites to prevent tissue damage and enhance absorption. Avoid injecting into areas that are bruised, tender, hard, or have scars or stretch marks.

Furthermore, the researchers have suggested that both 30 mcg/kg given once a week and 60 mcg/kg given once every two weeks may be viable strategies for dosing.

Considering the extended half-life of the peptide, there is no specific recommendation on whether it should be administered in the morning or in the evening.

Similarly, food is not expected to influence its GH-boosting effects, so CJC-1295 does not have to be administered on an empty stomach.

Unfortunately, long-term data on CJC-1295 is lacking, as the only extensive clinical trial that was scheduled to last 12 weeks was prematurely halted.

CJC-1295 Dosage

Here is a comprehensive CJC-1295 dosage chart:

Compound	Dosage	Frequency
CJC-1295 DAC	30 mcg/kg	Once a week
CJC-1295 without DAC	10 mcg/kg	Once a day

What results to expect from CJC-1295?

CJC-1295 triggers a peak in serum GH levels within the first hour following its administration, and IGF-1 levels start to rise within the initial 8 hours.

However, there is a lack of long-term data, leaving it uncertain how long it will take and what the potential outcomes of CJC-1295 might be.

The benefits of CJC-1295, in comparison to conventional therapy using human growth hormone (HGH) injections, are also not well understood.

Additionally, CJC-1295 might not be effective for individuals with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) who have lost the ability of their pituitary gland to produce GH.

In such situations, exogenous HGH is necessary to elevate serum GH levels and address symptoms of GHD.

Presently, there is no evidence indicating that CJC-1295 impacts other hormones besides GH, such as testosterone.

Benefits

The main CJC-1295 benefit reported by the available scientific evidence is the increase in GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy individuals and subjects with HIV/AIDS.

Beneficial effects that are typically associated with higher GH levels include:

• improved body composition
• abdominal fat loss
• increased muscle mass and strength
• improved skin thickness
• reduced cholesterol levels
• improved sleep quality

 

However, long-term clinical data on CJC-1295 is lacking, and it remains unknown whether the peptide may exert similar benefits in humans.

The available preclinical data suggest that the peptide can normalize growth, lean mass, and fat mass in mice with low GH levels.

Before the treatment, the mice had a significant delay in growth, 20% lower lean mass, and increased adiposity. Five weeks of CJC-1295 therapy normalized these indicators.

Side effects

The administration of CJC-1295 with DAC has been associated with various mild adverse reactions, particularly at the injection site, such as pain and discomfort.

Additionally, CJC-1295 have a range of mild to moderate side effects, including:

• headaches
• elevated heart rate
• abdominal pain
• facial flushing
• diarrhea and nausea

 

The only long-term study involving CJC-1295 DAC was halted following the death of a participant with HIV/AIDS from a heart attack hours after receiving the 11th dose of the peptide.

However, it’s important to note that this incident was not conclusively linked to the CJC-1295 therapy.

It is also worth mentioning that no clinical studies have investigated the safety and side effects of CJC-1295 without DAC. As a result, the potential risks associated with this form of the peptide are still unknown.