Purpose

CJC-1295 with DAC and ipamorelin are the most-discussed pairing in the growth-hormone-axis research literature. Their receptor targets are distinct — GHRH-R and GHS-R1a respectively — and their combined effect on pulsatile GH release is greater than either peptide alone in preclinical work.

The specific rationale for pairing:

  • CJC-1295 with DAC — long half-life (~1 week via albumin binding) provides a sustained elevation of GHRH-tone, amplifying the endogenous pulse envelope without abolishing pulsatility.
  • Ipamorelin — short half-life (~2 hours), acts at a separate receptor, and — importantly — is reported to release GH without significantly elevating ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin.

Component peptides

  • CJC-1295 with DAC — reported dose range 1,000–2,000 mcg, once weekly (occasionally split into two weekly doses).
  • Ipamorelin — reported dose range 200–300 mcg per administration, one to three times daily.

Timing & rotation

Research writeups typically describe:

  • CJC-1295 with DAC — once weekly, day of week held constant to stabilise the steady-state serum concentration.
  • Ipamorelin — administered on a schedule aligned with GH-favourable windows: at bedtime (aligned with the endogenous overnight pulse), and/or immediately post-exercise. Timing away from meals is commonly discussed because circulating fatty acids and glucose can blunt the GH response.

A 12-week cycle followed by a 4-week washout is a commonly reported pattern. The washout allows the HPA axis to return to baseline and permits pre/post biomarker comparison (IGF-1, IGFBP-3).

Reconstitution & math

  • CJC-1295 with DAC — 2 mg in 2 mL BAC water = 1,000 mcg/mL. A 1,000 mcg dose = 1.0 mL = 100 units on a U-100 syringe.
  • Ipamorelin — 5 mg in 2 mL BAC water = 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose = 0.1 mL = 10 units on a U-100 syringe.

Reported markers

Studies indicate this combination produces measurable elevations in serum IGF-1 over the first several weeks. The IGF-1 response is dose-dependent and generally plateaus after 3–4 weeks of consistent administration.

Cautions in the literature

  • Water retention. GH elevation is associated with sodium retention and transient extracellular-fluid expansion in the clinical GH literature.
  • Glucose tolerance. Growth hormone antagonises insulin action; elevated GH can transiently reduce insulin sensitivity, which has been noted in the growth-hormone research literature.
  • Not a substitute for exogenous GH. These peptides amplify endogenous release from a functioning pituitary. In individuals with primary pituitary insufficiency, GH-secretagogue peptides produce a much smaller response than in individuals with a normal HPT axis.

References

See the individual profiles for CJC-1295 with DAC and Ipamorelin.