How to Stack CJC-1295 & Ipamorelin Properly

Your pituitary gland releases growth hormone in pulses — not a steady drip. That natural rhythm matters. When you stack CJC-1295 with ipamorelin, you're working with two peptides that amplify growth hormone (GH) output through different but complementary mechanisms, while respecting that pulsatile pattern. CJC-1295 acts as a GHRH analog, telling the pituitary how much GH to release. Ipamorelin works through the ghrelin receptor, telling the pituitary when to release it. Together, they produce a stronger, more sustained GH pulse than either peptide alone — without the cortisol and prolactin spikes associated with older secretagogues like GHRP-6.

This guide breaks down the practical details: which forms to use, how to dose them, when to inject, how long to cycle, and the mistakes that undermine results.

Table of Contents

• Why Stack These Two Peptides?
• DAC vs. No DAC: Which CJC-1295 to Use
• Dosing Protocols by Experience Level
• Timing and Administration
• Cycling: On/Off Schedules That Work
• What to Expect (Realistic Timeline)
• Stacking With Other Peptides
• Common Mistakes That Kill Results
• Side Effects and Safety Considerations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• The Bottom Line
• References

Why Stack These Two Peptides?

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin target growth hormone release through separate pathways. Understanding why that matters requires a quick look at how GH secretion actually works.

Your hypothalamus produces GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone), which signals the pituitary to release GH. Separately, ghrelin — produced mainly in the stomach — binds to GHS receptors on the pituitary to trigger its own GH release signal. These two pathways converge on the same pituitary cells but activate different intracellular mechanisms.

CJC-1295 mimics GHRH. It binds to the GHRH receptor and amplifies the "release" signal, increasing the amplitude of each GH pulse.

Ipamorelin mimics ghrelin's action at the GHS receptor — but with a twist. In a landmark 1998 study, researchers demonstrated that ipamorelin was the first truly selective growth hormone secretagogue. At doses over 200-fold higher than its effective GH-releasing dose, ipamorelin still did not significantly increase ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin levels (Raun et al., Eur J Endocrinol, 1998). That selectivity is the reason it pairs so well with CJC-1295: you get amplified GH without hormonal side effects.

The combined effect is synergistic, not merely additive. CJC-1295 raises the baseline and amplitude of GH secretion while ipamorelin sharpens the pulse. A 2006 clinical trial in healthy adults showed that CJC-1295 increased mean GH levels by 46% and IGF-1 by 45%, with pulsatile secretion patterns preserved (Ionescu & Frohman, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006). Add ipamorelin's targeted GHS receptor activation, and you get robust GH output that still follows the body's natural rhythm.

DAC vs. No DAC: Which CJC-1295 to Use

This is where many people get confused. There are two versions of CJC-1295, and they behave very differently.

CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex)

The DAC modification allows CJC-1295 to bind to albumin in the bloodstream, extending its half-life to 6–8 days. A single injection raises GH levels for nearly a week. In clinical trials, a single dose produced 2- to 10-fold increases in mean plasma GH for 6+ days and 1.5- to 3-fold increases in IGF-1 for 9–11 days (Teichman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006).

The trade-off: that prolonged stimulation creates a more continuous GH elevation rather than natural pulsatile release. Some researchers and clinicians consider this less physiologically ideal.

CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29)

Without DAC, the peptide has a half-life of roughly 30 minutes. It produces a sharp GH pulse that rises and falls, mimicking what your body does naturally. This version requires daily injections but preserves the pulsatile release pattern.

For stacking with ipamorelin, CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is the standard choice. The short half-life means both peptides peak and clear together, producing a clean, coordinated GH pulse.

Feature	CJC-1295 with DAC	CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)
Half-life	6–8 days	~30 minutes
Injection frequency	1–2x per week	1–3x daily
GH release pattern	Sustained/continuous	Pulsatile (natural rhythm)
Pairing with ipamorelin	Less common	Standard protocol
Dose adjustability	Harder (long-acting)	Easy to titrate

Dosing Protocols by Experience Level

The doses below reflect the ranges most commonly discussed in clinical and research contexts. All doses refer to CJC-1295 without DAC paired with ipamorelin, injected together in the same syringe.

Beginner Protocol

Parameter	Detail
CJC-1295 (no DAC)	100 mcg per injection
Ipamorelin	100 mcg per injection
Frequency	Once daily (before bed)
Schedule	5 days on, 2 days off
Duration	8 weeks

Start here if you've never used peptides before. This dose is conservative but effective enough to assess tolerance and establish a response baseline. Most people notice improved sleep quality within the first 1–2 weeks at this dose.

Standard Protocol

Parameter	Detail
CJC-1295 (no DAC)	200 mcg per injection
Ipamorelin	200 mcg per injection
Frequency	Once daily (before bed)
Schedule	5 days on, 2 days off
Duration	8–12 weeks

The 200 mcg combination represents the dose most clinicians report as optimal for the majority of individuals. It produces meaningful GH elevation without pushing into diminishing-returns territory.

Advanced Protocol

Parameter	Detail
CJC-1295 (no DAC)	300 mcg per injection
Ipamorelin	300 mcg per injection
Frequency	Once or twice daily
Schedule	5 days on, 2 days off
Duration	12–16 weeks

If splitting into two daily doses, use 150 mcg of each peptide per injection — once in the morning (fasted) and once before bed. Twice-daily dosing produces two distinct GH pulses but requires more rigorous timing discipline.

Dose Escalation Approach

Rather than jumping to the standard dose, consider a stepwise approach:

• Weeks 1–2: 100 mcg each, once daily
• Weeks 3–4: 150 mcg each, once daily
• Weeks 5+: 200 mcg each, once daily

This lets you identify your minimum effective dose. Not everyone needs 200 mcg — some people respond well at 100 mcg and see no additional benefit at higher doses.

Timing and Administration

Timing matters more than most people realize with this stack. Get it wrong, and you can blunt your GH response by 50% or more.

The Golden Rules of Timing

Rule 1: Inject on an empty stomach. Dietary glucose suppresses GH release. Research on CJC-1295 specifically noted that administration occurred "at least two hours after dinner" because eating blunts the GH response. Aim for at least 2 hours after your last meal, and don't eat for at least 30 minutes after injection.

Rule 2: Bedtime is the best window. GH levels naturally peak during early sleep. Injecting 15–30 minutes before bed means the peptide-driven GH pulse stacks on top of your body's natural nocturnal GH surge. This is the single most effective timing strategy.

Rule 3: Be consistent. Injecting at the same time every day is more important than finding the "perfect" time. Inconsistent timing reduces effectiveness because your body's feedback systems adapt to regular stimulation patterns.

Morning Dosing (Alternative)

If evening dosing isn't practical, inject first thing in the morning — before eating anything. Wait at least 30 minutes before breakfast. Morning dosing works but produces a GH pulse that competes with cortisol's natural morning peak rather than complementing the nighttime GH surge.

Injection Technique

Both peptides are administered via subcutaneous injection. Common injection sites include the lower abdomen (most common) and the fatty tissue around the hip area. Rotate sites to prevent irritation. The two peptides can be drawn into the same syringe and injected together — no need for separate injections.

For reconstitution guidance, see our step-by-step reconstitution guide.

Cycling: On/Off Schedules That Work

Continuous, uninterrupted use of any GH secretagogue risks receptor desensitization — your pituitary becomes less responsive over time. Cycling prevents this.

Weekly Cycling (Built-In)

The 5-on/2-off weekly schedule provides built-in micro-breaks. Those two off-days per week help maintain receptor sensitivity during the cycle.

Full Cycle Structure

The most widely recommended cycle structure:

• On-cycle: 8–12 weeks of daily use (5 days on, 2 off)
• Off-cycle: 4 weeks with no peptide use
• Repeat: Resume for another 8–12 week cycle

Some practitioners extend cycles to 16 weeks for advanced users, but 12 weeks is the sweet spot for most people — long enough to see significant results, short enough to maintain sensitivity.

Between Cycles

During the 4-week off period, your pituitary receptors resensitize. GH levels will drop back toward baseline, but the body composition changes (fat loss, lean mass gains) you made during the cycle largely persist — especially if you maintain your training and nutrition habits.

What to Expect (Realistic Timeline)

Set realistic expectations. This stack produces meaningful results, but it works gradually through your body's own GH system — not by injecting exogenous GH directly.

Week-by-Week Progression

Weeks 1–2: Improved sleep quality is typically the first noticeable effect. Deeper sleep, more vivid dreams, and waking up feeling more rested. Some users report mild water retention.

Weeks 3–4: Recovery between workouts improves. Muscle soreness resolves faster. Skin quality may begin to improve — more hydrated, smoother texture.

Weeks 6–8: Body composition changes become visible. Subtle fat loss (especially around the midsection), fuller muscles, and improved workout performance. Blood work may show elevated IGF-1 levels.

Weeks 8–12: This is where cumulative effects become significant. Clinical observations suggest most patients lose 10–20+ lbs of fat over 4–6 months while gaining 3–8 lbs of lean muscle. Skin elasticity, joint comfort, and overall recovery are markedly improved.

Important: These timelines assume proper dosing, consistent timing, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and reasonable nutrition. Peptides amplify good habits — they don't replace them.

Stacking With Other Peptides

The CJC-1295/ipamorelin stack already targets GH release effectively. Adding more compounds should serve a different purpose.

Healing Stack Addition

For injury recovery, some protocols add BPC-157 at 250–500 mcg daily or TB-500 at 2–5 mg weekly. These target tissue repair through entirely separate mechanisms (angiogenesis, cell migration) and don't interfere with the GH stack.

What NOT to Stack

Avoid stacking multiple GH secretagogues on top of CJC-1295/ipamorelin. Adding GHRP-6, GHRP-2, or hexarelin on top of ipamorelin creates redundancy at the GHS receptor and increases side effects (particularly hunger and cortisol elevation with GHRP-6) without proportional benefit.

Similarly, adding MK-677 (a non-peptide GHS receptor agonist) to a stack that already includes ipamorelin is duplicating the same mechanism.

Common Mistakes That Kill Results

Mistake 1: Eating Too Close to Injection

This is the single most common error. A meal within 2 hours before injection — or a snack within 30 minutes after — blunts the GH response substantially. Insulin and GH are antagonistic. High blood glucose from eating suppresses the very signal you're trying to amplify.

Mistake 2: Inconsistent Timing

Injecting at 10 PM one night, midnight the next, and 8 PM after that confuses your body's feedback loops. Pick a time and stick with it.

Mistake 3: Skipping the Off-Days

The 5-on/2-off schedule exists for a reason. Running 7 days a week without breaks accelerates receptor desensitization and reduces effectiveness over time.

Mistake 4: Expecting Immediate Results

GH secretagogues work gradually. If you quit after 3 weeks because you "don't feel anything," you've stopped right before the inflection point where cumulative effects start to become noticeable.

Mistake 5: Incorrect Reconstitution

Using too much or too little bacteriostatic water throws off your dosing math. If your vial contains 2 mg of peptide and you add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 0.1 mL (10 units on an insulin syringe) equals 100 mcg. Get this calculation wrong and every subsequent dose is off. See our reconstitution guide for step-by-step instructions.

Mistake 6: Poor Storage

Reconstituted peptides must be stored at 2–8°C (35–46°F) — in the refrigerator, not the freezer. Heat, light, and agitation degrade peptides. A vial left on the counter for a few hours may lose significant potency.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Both CJC-1295 and ipamorelin have demonstrated favorable safety profiles in the limited clinical research available.

Common Side Effects

• Water retention (first 1–2 weeks, usually transient)
• Tingling or numbness in hands/fingers (related to GH activity, typically mild)
• Injection site reactions (redness, mild irritation — rotate sites)
• Increased hunger (mild with ipamorelin; much less than GHRP-6)
• Vivid dreams (a sign of deeper sleep stages, generally considered positive)
• Headache (occasional, usually resolves within the first week)

Ipamorelin's Safety Advantage

Ipamorelin's selectivity is its defining feature. Unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, it does not significantly raise cortisol, prolactin, FSH, LH, or TSH levels — even at doses far exceeding those used therapeutically. This makes it the cleanest GHS option for stacking.

Who Should Avoid This Stack

• Anyone with active cancer or a history of cancer (GH and IGF-1 can promote tumor growth)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes (GH affects insulin sensitivity)
• Anyone under 18 (still growing; endogenous GH is already high)

Regulatory Status

Neither CJC-1295 nor ipamorelin is FDA-approved for human therapeutic use. Both are classified as research compounds. Any use should be supervised by a qualified healthcare provider who can monitor bloodwork and adjust protocols as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix both peptides in the same syringe?

Yes. CJC-1295 (no DAC) and ipamorelin are chemically compatible and can be reconstituted in the same vial or drawn into the same syringe. This is standard practice.

Do I need bloodwork?

Strongly recommended. Baseline and mid-cycle bloodwork (IGF-1, fasting glucose, insulin, comprehensive metabolic panel) helps confirm the stack is working and catches any red flags early.

What if I miss a dose?

Skip it and resume at your normal time. Don't double up. One missed dose won't derail your cycle.

Can women use this stack?

Yes. Women typically use the same dosing protocols. GH secretagogues don't affect sex hormone levels the way anabolic compounds do.

How should I store the peptides?

Unreconstituted (lyophilized) peptides: store frozen at -20°C or refrigerated at 2–8°C. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 3–4 weeks.

The Bottom Line

The CJC-1295/ipamorelin stack remains one of the most popular peptide combinations for a reason: it works with your body's own GH signaling, produces meaningful results with a manageable side-effect profile, and ipamorelin's selectivity keeps cortisol and prolactin in check.

The keys to success are straightforward. Use the no-DAC version of CJC-1295. Inject on an empty stomach before bed. Stay consistent with timing. Cycle 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Start at the beginner dose and titrate up only if needed.

Most importantly, understand that this stack amplifies the effects of a healthy lifestyle — good sleep, regular training, adequate protein, and stress management. Without those foundations, even the best peptide protocol will underperform.

Work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider, get your bloodwork done, and give it at least 8 weeks before judging results. The GH axis responds to sustained, consistent input — not quick fixes.

References

1. Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552-561. PubMed

2. Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(12):4792-4797. PubMed

3. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Caber JP, Bhatt RS. 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. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799-805. PubMed

4. Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, et al. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006;291(6):E1290-E1294. AJP

5. Ishida J, Saitoh M, Ebner N, Springer J, Anker SD, von Haehling S. Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action, and clinical development. JCSM Rapid Communications. 2020;3(1):25-37. Wiley