Growth Hormone Axis · GHRH analog (short-acting) · Compounded 503A
CJC-1295 (No DAC): a clean, pulsatile GHRH pulse.
CJC-1295 without DAC — also known as Modified GRF 1-29 — is a short-acting growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog. It produces a brief, clean GH pulse that mirrors the body's natural rhythm. Paired with a ghrelin-mimetic like ipamorelin, it forms the most-used compounded GH-axis protocol in midlife medicine.
What CJC-1295 (No DAC) is
CJC-1295 No DAC (often abbreviated Mod GRF 1-29) is a tetrasubstituted analog of the first 29 amino acids of natural growth-hormone-releasing hormone — the sequence containing all the bioactivity.
The four substitutions stabilize the molecule against rapid enzymatic degradation, extending its half-life from minutes (native GHRH) to roughly 30 minutes — long enough to produce a meaningful pituitary pulse, short enough to preserve natural rhythm.
The 'No DAC' designation distinguishes it from CJC-1295 with DAC, which has a drug-affinity complex (DAC) that binds it to serum albumin and extends half-life to days. No-DAC preserves pulsatility; with-DAC produces sustained elevation.
How it works
CJC-1295 No DAC binds the pituitary GHRH receptor and triggers GH release through cAMP-mediated somatotroph activation — the same pathway as endogenous GHRH.
Because it produces a discrete pulse (rather than continuous stimulation), it preserves the pituitary's negative-feedback architecture and the body's natural pulsatile GH rhythm.
Pulsatility matters: studies have shown that pulsatile GH delivery produces better tissue effects and less downregulation than continuous exposure. This is the mechanistic rationale for pairing No-DAC with ipamorelin (a complementary ghrelin-pathway secretagogue) for synergistic pulses.
What patients use it for
Pulsatile, physiologic GH release
Reproduces the discrete-pulse pattern of natural GH secretion rather than producing sustained elevation.
Sleep architecture
Most natural GH is released during deep sleep — bedtime dosing supports this pattern and is associated with improved sleep-stage continuity.
Recovery and lean body composition
Downstream IGF-1 supports muscle protein synthesis, tendon-collagen turnover, and lipolysis.
Synergy with ipamorelin
GHRH and ghrelin pathways activate somatotrophs through different receptors — combining them produces a substantially larger GH pulse than either alone.
Evidence summary
Teichman SL et al. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006) characterized the CJC-1295 family pharmacokinetics and demonstrated GH and IGF-1 response in healthy adults.
Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW (Sex Med Rev, 2018) reviewed the clinical use of GH secretagogues including CJC-1295 family compounds in middle-aged adults.
Decades of native GHRH literature support the underlying mechanism; CJC-1295 No DAC is a stabilized version of that endogenous signal.
Dosing and clinical context
General clinical context only. Kindr Health physicians determine the appropriate dose and protocol for each patient based on history and labs. This is not a prescription or dosing recommendation.
Subcutaneous injection, typically pre-bed (5 min before sleep), to align the induced pulse with the natural deep-sleep GH window.
Most commonly co-prescribed with ipamorelin in a single combined injection.
Course-based protocols (8–16 weeks with reassessment) are standard.
Safety and contraindications
Generally well tolerated. Mild injection-site reactions, transient flushing, and (rarely) headache are reported.
Should not be used in active malignancy, pregnancy, lactation, untreated severe sleep apnea, or active diabetic retinopathy.
Periodic IGF-1, fasting glucose, and HbA1c monitoring is appropriate.
Not FDA-approved; compounded by licensed 503A pharmacies under physician prescription.
Who it's typically considered for
- Adults in midlife with documented age-related GH decline who want to preserve pulsatile physiology
- Patients whose sleep, recovery, or body composition has plateaued despite training and HRT
- Patients who prefer short-acting / reversible GH-axis interventions over long-acting analogs
Frequently asked questions
CJC-1295 No DAC vs With DAC?
No-DAC preserves natural pulsatility (half-life ~30 min, dose nightly). With-DAC produces sustained elevation (half-life ~8 days, dose 1–2x/week). Most modern protocols prefer No-DAC for physiologic mimicry.
CJC-1295 No DAC vs Sermorelin?
Both are short-acting GHRH analogs. CJC-1295 No DAC has 4 stabilizing amino acid substitutions giving a longer half-life and stronger pulse than sermorelin.
Do I need to pair it with ipamorelin?
Not strictly required, but the combination produces a substantially larger and cleaner GH pulse than either alone — which is why the pairing is the most-used midlife GH-axis protocol.
Will it raise IGF-1 too high?
Pulsatile dosing preserves negative feedback and typically keeps IGF-1 in physiologic range. Periodic labs confirm.
Is CJC-1295 No DAC FDA-approved?
No. It is compounded by licensed 503A pharmacies under physician prescription.
Can women use it?
Yes — it is commonly prescribed for perimenopausal and post-menopausal women for sleep, recovery, and body composition support.
Sources
- Teichman SL et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295. JCEM (2006). — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16352683
- Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW. The Safety and Efficacy of GH Secretagogues. Sex Med Rev (2018). — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28986365
- Walker RF. Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency? Clin Interv Aging (2006). — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18046911
Considering CJC-1295 (No DAC)?
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Ana Lisa Carr, MD, MBA
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician · Lead Provider / Medical Reviewer
NPI 1689841744 · Last reviewed: May 10, 2026
Last reviewed May 10, 2026. Compounded medications are prepared by FDA-registered 503A pharmacies and are not FDA-approved drug products. Prescriptions require a clinical evaluation; a Kindr Health physician determines eligibility. Not for use in pregnancy. This page provides educational information and is not medical advice.