In this article
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What it is
CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin is the most commonly used research blend that works on the growth hormone system. It brings together two peptides (small protein-like molecules used in lab research). The first is CJC-1295, a GHRH analog (a lab-made copy of a natural signal that prompts the body to release growth hormone). The second is Ipamorelin, a growth-hormone secretagogue (a substance that triggers growth hormone release), also called a GHRP (growth hormone releasing peptide).
Key point: This combination works on two different pathways that trigger growth hormone release. Research studies it for producing a bigger, cleaner burst of growth hormone than either compound alone.
Why these are combined
How the Combination Works
These two peptides work on different parts of the growth hormone (GH) release system. Think of it like two separate switches that control the same light. CJC-1295 keeps a steady growth hormone signal running over time. Ipamorelin triggers a short, sharp burst of GH release. Research also notes that Ipamorelin is fairly selective. That means it has less effect on other hormones, like cortisol (a stress hormone) or prolactin (a hormone tied to many body functions), compared to older peptides in the same class.
Combining a GHRH analog with a GHRP is studied for producing a bigger, cleaner pulse of growth hormone than either one produces on its own. That is why this pairing is so common in research settings.
The components
- CJC-1295, a GHRH analog studied for keeping a sustained growth hormone signal going over time.
- Ipamorelin, a selective GHRP (growth hormone releasing peptide) studied for producing a clean, targeted GH pulse.
Reconstitution and blending
Both peptides come as a freeze-dried powder. Lyophilized means the water has been removed to keep the peptide stable until use, similar to how instant coffee is made. They are mixed back into liquid form (a process called reconstitution) using bacteriostatic water (water with a small amount of preservative to keep it stable inside the vial). The two peptides are often drawn into the same cartridge together. CJC-1295 comes in two forms: DAC and no-DAC (the no-DAC form is also called Mod GRF 1-29). These two forms stay active in solution for different lengths of time (this is called their half-life), and that difference affects how a blend is timed at the lab bench.
Our reconstitution and DIY blend calculators help you work out the right liquid volumes for each cartridge and how long the blend stays usable, once you have decided what goes into each cartridge.
Status in sport
Both components are banned in competitive sport under WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) category S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, releasing factors, and secretagogues). They are prohibited at all times, not just during competition.
Related reading
- CJC-1295
- Ipamorelin
- Full peptide reference library and stacking guide
- Reconstitution and blend calculators
Reminder: research and educational reference only. Preppin Peppers sells hardware and materials, not peptides. Not medical, dosing, or health advice, not evaluated by the FDA, and not intended for human or animal use.
Frequently asked questions
Why are CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin used together in research?
They act on distinct GH-release pathways, CJC-1295 sustains the GHRH signal while Ipamorelin triggers a sharp GH pulse, so the combination is studied for producing a synergistically larger, cleaner GH response than either alone.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 DAC and CJC-1295 no-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)?
The DAC form carries a Drug Affinity Complex that extends its half-life in solution; the no-DAC form (Mod GRF 1-29) has a shorter active window. This half-life difference affects bench timing and reconstitution planning.
Are CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin banned in competitive sport?
Yes. Both are prohibited at all times under WADA category S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, releasing factors, and secretagogues), meaning the ban applies outside competition periods as well.
What the research community gets wrong about the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin blend
- Treating "CJC-1295" as one thing. There are two forms: DAC and no-DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29). They stay active in solution for very different lengths of time. Labeling a vial or a bench note just "CJC-1295" hides which one is inside, and that changes how the blend is timed and tracked.
- Assuming both peptides in a shared cartridge age at the same rate. Mixing two peptides into one cartridge is common, but each has its own stability profile. One can lose activity faster than the other, so the working solution is not a single fixed thing over time.
- Reading "synergy" as a rule about amounts. The studies looked at how a GHRH analog and a GHRP together drive a larger growth hormone signal in test systems. That is an observation about the pathways, not a bench rule that you can scale the powder down and get the same result in a vial.
- Thinking "selective" means zero off-target. Ipamorelin is called selective because it acts more cleanly than older peptides in its class (Raun et al., 1998). Selective is a comparison, not a promise of no other effects in an assay.
- Believing a reconstituted blend lasts forever if it is cold. The freeze-dried powder is stable, but once it is mixed into bacteriostatic water the working solution has a limited usable window. Cold storage slows change, it does not stop it.
From our bench: If you reconstitute a CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin blend in one cartridge, tell us what the solution looks like right after mixing and again after a few days in cold storage. Note the exact time you first mixed it, whether it stayed clear or turned cloudy, and whether you saw any specks or film on the glass. Real observations from your own vials help other researchers know what a normal working solution looks like over time.
Sources
- Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP , FDA/DailyMed label (0.9% benzyl alcohol)
- Duerkop et al., Biotechnol J 2018 , Impact of Cavitation, High Shear Stress and Air/Liquid Interfaces on Protein Aggregation
- Sigma-Aldrich (Merck) , Handling and Storage Guidelines for Peptides and Proteins
- Teichman SL et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006 , Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, in healthy adults
- Raun K et al., Eur J Endocrinol 1998 , Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
✔ Reviewed by Bryan Le, PharmD, RPh
Bryan is a licensed pharmacist (Doctor of Pharmacy, Registered Pharmacist). Reconstituting lyophilized preparations is core pharmacy practice, so he reviews The Lab’s content for technical accuracy and to keep it within a research-and-education scope, with no medical or dosing advice. View profile on LinkedIn.
