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Research / CJC-1295 & ipamorelin review
Reference review

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin: a GHRH analogue and a ghrelin-receptor agonist

Null Bio Lab Research Desk · Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Research use only

Scope. This article summarises published laboratory literature for readers working with CJC-1295 and ipamorelin as a research reagent. It gives no dosing, administration or usage guidance, and nothing here is a statement about any use in humans or animals. To our knowledge neither compound is an authorised medicine in the EU or US, and both appear on the WADA Prohibited List.
Key facts
  • CJC-1295: modified GHRH(1–29) analogue; the DAC form adds a group that binds serum albumin
  • Ipamorelin: pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2), about 711.9 Da, ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist
  • Different receptors: GHRH receptor vs ghrelin receptor
  • Naming trap: “CJC-1295 with DAC” and “CJC-1295 without DAC” are different molecules with different masses
  • Status: research reagents; both on the WADA Prohibited List

Two different mechanisms

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are often sold together and searched together, but they are chemically unrelated and act on different receptors. CJC-1295 is a long-acting analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and acts at the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin is a short synthetic peptide that mimics ghrelin at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

CJC-1295 and the DAC

CJC-1295 is a modified version of the first 29 residues of GHRH, with amino-acid substitutions that improve resistance to peptidase cleavage. The “DAC” (drug affinity complex) version carries an additional reactive group that binds serum albumin covalently, extending its lifetime in circulation. A controlled study in healthy adults reported prolonged elevations of growth hormone and IGF-I after administration of the DAC form, consistent with its long half-life.1 The version without DAC is sometimes sold as “modified GRF(1–29)”; because the two have different structures and masses, a label that just says “CJC-1295” is not enough to identify what is in a vial.

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin was described in a 1998 European Journal of Endocrinology paper as “the first selective growth hormone secretagogue”: in the authors' preclinical comparison it stimulated growth hormone release while having little effect on other pituitary hormones such as ACTH and cortisol, which distinguished it from earlier secretagogues.2 As a pentapeptide with a non-natural amino acid (Aib) and D-amino acids, it is fully synthetic.

Why they are discussed together

The two act through separate receptor systems on pituitary somatotrophs, so researchers study them in combination to separate the contribution of each pathway. This page describes the individual pharmacology only; it does not describe any combination for use in humans or animals.

Limits of the evidence

  • The cited human data concern CJC-1295 with DAC, not the shorter variant or the combination with ipamorelin.
  • The ipamorelin selectivity data are from early preclinical work.
  • Hormone-level readouts (GH, IGF-I) are surrogate measures and do not establish any downstream effect.

Regulatory status

To our knowledge neither compound is an authorised medicine in the EU or US. Both appear on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List (growth hormone-releasing factors and secretagogues), which is relevant to anyone subject to sport anti-doping rules. Regulatory positions change, so confirm the current status with the relevant authority. Null Bio Lab supplies them strictly as laboratory research reagents.

Verifying a batch

Check which CJC-1295 variant the report identifies, since the DAC form has a much higher mass than the unmodified 29-residue analogue. For ipamorelin, the expected [M+H]+ is about 712.4. Also look for HPLC purity, measured quantity and a matching batch number. A blend should list each component separately. See how to read a peptide COA. Reagent page: NB-CJC | IPAM.

Frequently asked questions

Are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin the same thing?

No. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue acting on the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin is a ghrelin-receptor agonist.

What does DAC mean?

Drug affinity complex: a chemical group that binds serum albumin and extends CJC-1295's lifetime in circulation.

What is the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?

They are different molecules. The DAC form has the albumin-binding modification and a much higher mass.

Are they on the WADA list?

Yes. Both fall under the Prohibited List category for growth hormone-releasing factors and secretagogues.

References

  1. Teichman SL, et al. 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. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006;91:799–805. doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536.
  2. Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology. 1998;139. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1390552.

Related reading

For newly published papers on this and other peptides, see the live feed on the Research Desk.