What is CJC-1295 No DAC?
CJC-1295 No DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF 1-29) is a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH). Four amino acid modifications relative to native GHRH confer resistance to enzymatic degradation, extending its half-life from ~7 minutes (native GHRH) to ~30 minutes.
Critical distinction: CJC-1295 “No DAC” is fundamentally different from CJC-1295 “with DAC”. The DAC version contains a Drug Affinity Complex that binds to plasma albumin, extending the half-life to ~8 days and producing a sustained rather than pulsatile GH elevation. Most research protocols use the No DAC version to maintain physiological pulsatile GH release.
Mechanism of action
CJC-1295 No DAC acts on the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) in the anterior pituitary:
- Increases GH synthesis and availability in somatotroph cells.
- Amplifies the amplitude (magnitude) of the next GH pulse — not the number of pulses.
- It is not a direct GH releaser; it requires a GHRP (such as ipamorelin) to provide the pulsatile stimulus.
For this reason, CJC-1295 No DAC + ipamorelin is the most commonly reported combination: CJC amplifies the wave, ipamorelin generates the pulse.
CJC-1295 No DAC vs. CJC-1295 with DAC
| Feature | No DAC | With DAC |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | ~30 min | ~8 days |
| GH pattern | Pulsatile (physiological) | Sustained (non-physiological) |
| Frequency | 1–3x/day | 1x/week |
| Desensitization risk | Low | Higher |
| More common use | Yes | Less frequent |
Timing and protocol (reference)
To maximize GH release:
- Administer fasted (3–4 hours without food) or before sleep.
- Food (especially carbohydrates and fat) raises insulin and somatostatin, inhibiting GH release.
- Can be combined with ipamorelin in the same injection (they are miscible in bacteriostatic water).
Reconstitution (reference)
With 5 mg + 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water: 1 unit on a U-100 syringe ≈ 25 mcg.
Safety notes
Reported adverse effects: transient facial flushing, dizziness, mild fluid retention (at high doses), tingling in extremities. Does not elevate cortisol or prolactin.
For research use only. Not FDA approved. Consult a healthcare professional before any use.
Reported protocol (research reference)
| Vial sizes | 5 mg |
|---|---|
| Reported dose | Literature reports 100–200 mcg per injection, ideally combined with a GHRP such as ipamorelin. 1–2 times per day. Reference values only. |
| Half-life | ~30 minutes (No DAC). The DAC version has a half-life of ~8 days. |
| FDA status | Not FDA approved |