What is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin?
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is one of the most widely referenced growth-hormone secretagogue combinations in peptide research. It pairs two compounds that act on different receptor pathways — CJC-1295 (no DAC), a GHRH analogue, and Ipamorelin, a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist — to produce a research model of a synergistic GH pulse.
What CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin Are
CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a modified form of GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) — specifically a Growth Hormone Releasing Factor (1-29) analog with amino acid substitutions that improve its stability against enzymatic degradation. The "no DAC" designation distinguishes it from the long-acting DAC variant; this version has a shorter half-life, producing a more discrete GH pulse rather than sustained elevation.
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide and a selective growth hormone secretagogue — a ghrelin mimetic, sometimes referred to as a GHRP (growth hormone-releasing peptide). It stimulates GH release through the GHS-R (growth hormone secretagogue receptor). Ipamorelin is considered highly selective because, unlike older-generation GHRPs, it does not significantly elevate cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin in research models.
Mechanism of Action
The research interest in this combination comes from each compound acting on a distinct receptor pathway that converges on the same downstream outcome — pituitary GH release:
GHRH receptor pathway (CJC-1295): Binds GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, triggering the synthesis and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone — the same receptor pathway studied with other GHRH analogues such as tesamorelin.
Ghrelin/GHS-R pathway (Ipamorelin): Binds the GHS-R receptor, which amplifies GH release through a separate signaling cascade. Because Ipamorelin is selective for this receptor, research models show it does so without the cortisol, ACTH, and prolactin elevation associated with older non-selective GHRPs.
Convergent amplification: Because the two pathways are largely independent upstream, activating both simultaneously produces a larger GH pulse than either compound alone — the basis for combining them in a single research blend.
Research Applications
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is most often used in research investigating GH secretagogue pharmacology and pulse amplitude:
| Research Area | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GH pulse amplitude | Comparative secretagogue studies | Combination vs single-agent GH release magnitude |
| Receptor selectivity | GHS-R vs GHRH receptor signaling | Ipamorelin's selectivity vs older non-selective GHRPs |
| Body composition | Fitness & performance research | Downstream of GH/IGF-1 pathway activation |
| GH axis comparator studies | vs GHRH-only analogues | Pairs with tesamorelin as a single-pathway comparator |
Its popularity as a research stack stems from being one of the most accessible models for studying dual-pathway GH secretagogue synergy.
Why Combine the Two
The rationale for combining CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin in a single vial is mechanistic complementarity rather than redundancy. Because the GHRH receptor pathway and the ghrelin/GHS-R pathway are largely independent at the receptor level but converge on the same pituitary output (GH release), research suggests their combined effect on GH pulse size is greater than either compound's effect individually — a synergistic rather than simply additive relationship.
This makes the blend a common reference point in comparative research: studies isolating CJC-1295 alone, Ipamorelin alone, or the combination can help characterize how much of the observed effect comes from each pathway versus their interaction. For a single-pathway GHRH analogue comparator, see our What is Tesamorelin? guide.
Reconstitution for Research
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and must be reconstituted with Bacteriostatic Water before use in research protocols.
Standard protocol for the 10mg blend vial: Add 2mL Bacteriostatic Water for a concentration of 5mg/mL (split evenly between the two peptides in the blend). Inject the BAC Water slowly down the side of the vial and gently swirl until fully dissolved — do not shake. Refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution. Stable 28-42 days.
For full reconstitution parameters and a dosing calculator that computes exact draw volumes, visit our Reconstitution Guide and Dosing Calculator.