CJC-1295

Chemical & identity

Molecular formula

C165H269N47O46

Molecular weight

3647.2 g/mol · PubChem

PubChem CID

91971820 · PubChem

SMILES

CC[C@H](C)[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CC=CC=C1)C(=O)N[C@@H]([C@@H](C)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N[C@@H](C(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H]([C@@H](C)CC)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCNC(=O)CCN3C(=O)C=CC3=O)C(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC4=CC=C(C=C4)O)N

InChIKey

ZUQGTWKGESAQCD-ZGFIGYLBSA-N

Category

GH secretagogue/GHRH

Chemical/structural fields are auto-pulled and source-linked.

Mechanism (curated)

No established mechanism of action has been curated yet.

Pharmacology & handling

Half-life

With DAC (drug affinity complex): approximately 6–8 days via albumin binding, supporting once-weekly dosing in human studies. Without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29): on the order of ~30 minutes.

Research

• 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.

  Human RCT

  Teichman SL et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006 · RCT

  This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study examined CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, in healthy adults aged 21–61 years across two trials lasting 28–49 days. Single subcutaneous injections of CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent increases in plasma GH concentrations (2–10 fold for ≥6 days) and IGF-I concentrations (1.5–3 fold for 9–11 days), with an estimated half-life of 5.8–8.1 days. Multiple doses showed cumulative effects with IGF-I levels remaining elevated for up to 28 days. No serious adverse reactions were reported, and the peptide was well tolerated at doses of 30 or 60 µg/kg.

  DOIPubMed 16352683Free full text

• Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.

  Human trial

  Ionescu M, Frohman LA · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006 · Other

  This human study assessed growth hormone (GH) pulsatility in healthy men aged 20–40 years following a single injection of CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog with an 8-day half-life that binds to albumin. Blood sampling over 12 hours showed that CJC-1295 increased basal GH levels 7.5-fold and mean GH levels by 46%, while preserving the frequency and magnitude of GH secretory pulses. IGF-I levels increased by 45%, but this increase did not correlate with any measured GH secretion parameters. The authors conclude that CJC-1295's enhancement of trough GH levels—rather than changes in pulsatility—drove the increase in IGF-I production.

  DOIPubMed 17018654Free full text

• Netnography of Female Use of the Synthetic Growth Hormone CJC-1295: Pulses and Potions.

  Anecdotal

  Van Hout MC, Hearne E · Substance use & misuse · 2016 · Other

  This netnography study analyzed 23 discussion threads from 9 bodybuilding forums to explore female use of CJC-1295, a synthetic growth hormone analogue. Forum users reported using CJC-1295 for weight loss, muscle enhancement, skin appearance, sleep improvement, and injury healing, and appeared experienced with poly-use of performance-enhancing drugs. Users expressed concerns about dosing and cycling in females due to gender differences in growth hormone pulses and uncertainty about long-term consequences. The study concludes that public health interventions should address female self-medication with synthetic growth hormones and related health risks.

  DOIPubMed 26771670Free full text (other-oa)

• Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects.

  Human trial

  Sackmann-Sala L et al. · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2009 · Other

  This study analyzed serum protein changes in 11 healthy adult men before and one week after a single CJC-1295 injection using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. CJC-1295, described as a long-acting GHRH analog, increased serum GH and IGF-1 levels. The treatment resulted in decreased levels of apolipoprotein A1 and transthyretin isoforms, and increased levels of beta-hemoglobin, C-terminal albumin fragments, and immunoglobulin fragments. A linear relationship was found between immunoglobulin and albumin fragments and IGF-1 levels, suggesting these proteins may serve as potential biomarkers of GH/IGF-1 action, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

  DOIPubMed 19386527Free full text

• Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse.

  Animal-only

  Alba M et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2006 · Animal study

  This study investigated CJC-1295, a long-acting synthetic GHRH analog that binds to albumin to extend its half-life, in GHRH knockout (GHRHKO) mice. Three groups of 1-week-old GHRHKO mice received 2 micrograms of CJC-1295 at 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour intervals for 5 weeks, with placebo-treated GHRHKO mice and heterozygous control mice as comparisons. Once-daily CJC-1295 administration normalized body weight, length, and bone parameters, while less frequent dosing (every 48 or 72 hours) showed partial efficacy. CJC-1295 treatment increased pituitary GH mRNA expression and somatotroph cell proliferation, as shown by immunohistochemistry. The findings demonstrate that daily CJC-1295 administration can maintain normal growth and body composition in GHRHKO mice.

  DOIPubMed 16822960

• Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog.

  Animal-only

  Jetté L et al. · Endocrinology · 2005 · Animal study

  This study describes the synthesis and characterization of three maleimido derivatives of human GH-releasing factor (hGRF)(1-29) that were conjugated to human serum albumin to extend plasma half-life. In cultured rat anterior pituitary cells, all three albumin conjugates showed enhanced stability against dipeptidylpeptidase-IV and were bioactive in GH secretion assays. When administered subcutaneously to male Sprague Dawley rats, CJC-1295—a tetrasubstituted hGRF(1-29) derivative with an N-terminal maleimidopropionamide lysine modification—induced acute GH secretion and showed a 4-fold increase in GH area under the curve over 2 hours compared to native hGRF(1-29). CJC-1295 remained detectable in plasma beyond 72 hours and Western blot analysis confirmed its presence as an albumin-conjugated species in circulation beyond 24 hours. The study identifies CJC-1295 as a stable, bioactive GRF analog with extended plasma half-life.

  DOIPubMed 15817669

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Regulatory status

FDA approved

No

WADA prohibited

Yes

Compounding status

Never approved; clinical development discontinued. Sold as a research chemical.

Notes

Not FDA-approved — clinical development was discontinued; no approved formulation as of 2026-06-04. Prohibited in sport under WADA (GHRH analog).

Legal/regulatory status varies by jurisdiction and changes over time — accurate as of last review (2026-06-04).