What Is CJC-1295? Benefits, Research & Safety
A synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue designed for extended half-life and sustained growth hormone secretion.
UK summary: Not a licensed UK medicine. GHRH analogue commonly marketed by private clinics for 'anti-ageing' or body-composition use. Prohibited at all times under WADA S2 (peptide hormones / growth factors). Robust human RCTs for the marketed wellness outcomes are limited.
Quick Facts
Overview
CJC-1295 — evidence and risk at a glance
Twenty standard modules scored against the Peptide Authority evidence grading methodology. Missing modules indicate the field has not yet been characterised editorially — treat absences as uncertainty rather than reassurance.
01Evidence snapshot
Not a licensed UK medicine. GHRH analogue commonly marketed by private clinics for 'anti-ageing' or body-composition use. Prohibited at all times under WADA S2 (peptide hormones / growth factors). Robust human RCTs for the marketed wellness outcomes are limited.
02Human evidence grade
03Preclinical evidence grade
04Regulatory status
- UK: Not licensed for human use. Research compound only.
- EU: Not approved for therapeutic use.
- Notes: CJC-1295 clinical development was discontinued after safety concerns in trials. It is prohibited in competitive sports by WADA. Not available through legitimate medical channels.
05Approved medical uses
None in the UK or EU as a finished medicine. (Or: not yet documented; treat as absence rather than approval.)
06Unapproved / promotional claims
- Safe alternative to HGH
- Anti-ageing GH-boost therapy
- Reverses age-related sarcopenia
- Stack with ipamorelin for ‘serious GH results’
07Common internet claims
- Pharma-grade CJC-1295 DAC — same as the discontinued Lilly product
- Best-in-class for body recomposition
- Safer than HGH because it works ‘with your body’
08Claim vs evidence
| Claim | Evidence | Human evidence? | Regulatory concern | Safer wording |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Naturally boosts your own growth hormone” | D | Limited | High | CJC-1295 is a pharmacological GHRH analogue, not 'natural'; short-term GH/IGF-1 response is documented in small studies. |
| “Reverses signs of ageing” | E | No | High | No licensed indication for ageing reversal. Long-term clinical-outcome data are limited. |
| “Improves sleep and recovery” | D | Limited | Moderate | Some short-term studies suggest sleep effects via GH pulse; clinical significance is unclear. |
| “Safer than HGH for body composition” | E | No | High | Comparative-safety claims need comparative trials. CJC-1295 is unlicensed; HGH is a controlled medicine. |
| “Permitted in sport” | E | No | High | Prohibited at all times under WADA S2. |
09Safety uncertainty score
Limited human safety data; meaningful uncertainty about rare or long-term effects.
10Known adverse signals
- Original pharmaceutical development discontinued after early-phase safety event
- Long-term effects on GH / IGF-1 axis in non-deficient adults unknown
- Theoretical malignancy risk from sustained IGF-1 elevation
- WADA S2 strict-liability risk for athletes
11Drug-interaction uncertainty
Interaction picture sparse; meaningful uncertainty when combined with other medicines.
12Anti-doping status
13UK legal position
Not licensed for human use. Research compound only.
Read the full UK legal guide → Are peptides legal in the UK?
14EU legal position
Not approved for therapeutic use.
15What this page cannot tell you
- Whether CJC-1295 is safe at any dose for you as an individual.
- What the long-term GH-axis consequences of repeated dosing are.
- Whether the product you'd receive is what its label claims.
- How CJC-1295 interacts with your other medicines and conditions.
16Last reviewed
17Citation quality score
18Research gaps
- Phase 3 development discontinued — no large-scale outcome data.
- Long-term safety beyond initial trials not characterised.
- Combination-stack data (with ipamorelin etc.) absent in humans.
- Cardiovascular outcomes data absent.
19Safer alternatives / established care pathways
- Specialist endocrinology assessment if genuine GH deficiency is suspected.
- Resistance training, sleep optimisation, and nutrition for body composition.
- Licensed GH therapy where clinically indicated and prescribed.
20Doctor discussion prompts
Questions to ask a qualified clinician
These are starter questions you can adapt for a GP, specialist, pharmacist, or anti-doping advisor. The aim is to help you have a better-informed conversation — not to replace one.
- Is CJC-1295 a licensed UK medicine?
- What does the human-outcomes evidence support beyond a measured GH/IGF-1 response?
- If you suspect adult GH deficiency, what investigations would you do?
- What is the WADA position if I compete in sport?
- What is the clinic's commercial relationship with the supplier?
Discovery & History
Mechanism of Action
Researched Benefits
Based on preclinical and clinical research findings:
- 1Increased growth hormone secretion from the pituitary
- 2Elevated IGF-1 levels
- 3Potential improvements in body composition (increased muscle, decreased fat)
- 4Possible enhancement of recovery and tissue repair
- 5Potential improvements in sleep quality (with pulsatile version)
- 6Synergistic effects when combined with GHRPs
Claim vs Evidence
How popular claims about CJC-1295 stack up against the current research, graded using our public evidence grading methodology.
| Claim | Evidence | Human evidence? | Regulatory concern | Safer wording |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Naturally boosts your own growth hormone” | D | Limited | High | CJC-1295 is a pharmacological GHRH analogue, not 'natural'; short-term GH/IGF-1 response is documented in small studies. |
| “Reverses signs of ageing” | E | No | High | No licensed indication for ageing reversal. Long-term clinical-outcome data are limited. |
| “Improves sleep and recovery” | D | Limited | Moderate | Some short-term studies suggest sleep effects via GH pulse; clinical significance is unclear. |
| “Safer than HGH for body composition” | E | No | High | Comparative-safety claims need comparative trials. CJC-1295 is unlicensed; HGH is a controlled medicine. |
| “Permitted in sport” | E | No | High | Prohibited at all times under WADA S2. |
Theoretical Dosing & Protocols
| Theoretical Dosage | 1-2 mg per week (DAC version); 100-200 mcg per dose (non-DAC) |
| Frequency | Once or twice weekly (DAC); 2-3 times daily (non-DAC) |
| Duration | Variable; typically several months in research protocols |
| Notes | CJC-1295 is not approved for human use. The non-DAC version is often combined with GHRPs. DAC version use is less common due to historical safety concerns. Any use should be under medical supervision. |
Administration Routes
Routes studied in research settings (educational only):
- Subcutaneous injection (most common)
- Intramuscular injection
| Half-Life | Stability |
|---|---|
| DAC version: 6-8 days; Non-DAC version: approximately 30 minutes | Lyophilised powder should be stored refrigerated or frozen; reconstituted solution refrigerated |
Safety Profile & Known Risks
Commonly Reported Side Effects
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling)
- Water retention
- Tingling or numbness in extremities
- Headache
- Fatigue
Rare Risks & Concerns
- Cardiovascular events (reported in clinical trials of DAC version)
- Effects on glucose metabolism
- Potential effects on tumour growth (GH is a growth factor)
- Unknown long-term effects
Contraindications
- Active malignancy or history of cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes or glucose intolerance
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Children and adolescents (except under specialist care)
UK & EU Regulatory Context
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Not licensed for human use. Research compound only.
🇪🇺 European Union
Not approved for therapeutic use.
Clinical Studies Summary
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.
Subcutaneous administration of CJC-1295 resulted in sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-I levels in healthy adults and was safe and relatively well tolerated, particularly at doses of 30 or 60 microg/kg. There was evidence of a cumulative effect after multiple doses. These data support the potential utility of CJC-1295 as a therapeutic agent.
Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.
CJC-1295 increased trough and mean GH secretion and IGF-I production with preserved GH pulsatility. The marked enhancement of trough GH levels by continuous GHRH stimulation implicates the importance of this effect on increasing IGF-I. Long-acting GHRH preparations may have clinical utility in patients with intact pituitary GH secretory capability.
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Registered Trials & Regulatory Status
A Study to Evaluate CJC 1295 in HIV Patients With Visceral Obesity
Status: Terminated · 120 participants · ConjuChem
Conditions: Obesity, HIV Infections
Adverse event reports (FDA FAERS)
Not applicable: no licensed product contains this peptide, so it is not reported through FAERS. This is an absence of surveillance, not evidence of safety.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov and openFDA. Updated automatically.
Looking for CJC-1295?
Source research-grade CJC-1295 from a trusted UK supplier — third-party tested with certificate of analysis.
View at SupplierFrequently Asked Questions
Questions to ask a qualified clinician about CJC-1295
These are starter questions you can adapt for a GP, specialist, pharmacist, or anti-doping advisor. The aim is to help you have a better-informed conversation — not to replace one.
- Is CJC-1295 a licensed UK medicine?
- What does the human-outcomes evidence support beyond a measured GH/IGF-1 response?
- If you suspect adult GH deficiency, what investigations would you do?
- What is the WADA position if I compete in sport?
- What is the clinic's commercial relationship with the supplier?
UK regulatory & safety context
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