CJC-1295: what the research shows
A long-lasting version of the brain signal that triggers growth hormone.
At a glance
Tested in small studies in healthy adults in 2006. Never approved.
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a modified copy of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the signal your brain uses to tell the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. A chemical “hook” lets it cling to a protein in the blood, so it lasts for days.
How does CJC-1295 work?
Because it stays in the blood for about a week, it keeps prompting the pituitary to release more growth hormone.
What does the research show?
- In healthy adults, a single injection raised growth hormone levels 2 to 10 times for 6 days or more, and IGF-1 (a marker of growth hormone activity) for 9 to 11 days.
- It lasted 5.8 to 8.1 days in the body. No serious side effects were reported in these short studies.
Known risks and side effects
- It has only been studied briefly, in small groups. Long-term effects are unknown.
- Banned in sport by WADA. Products sold online are unregulated.
Is CJC-1295 approved?
Tested in people, but not approved as a medicine.
Tested in small studies in healthy adults in 2006. Never approved.
From the community
Watch: CJC-1295 and related science
Start with the compound discussion, then use the background lesson to understand its biology. Each card explains its connection. Recordings may predate later findings or regulatory changes.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FDA compounding meeting: CJC-1295, AOD-9604 and thymosin alpha-1
The original discussion of these substances and proposed uses. Committee advice is separate from a final regulatory decision.
Official FDA recording · December 4, 2024
Official regulatory recording
Historical FDA discussion of CJC-1295, AOD-9604 and thymosin alpha-1. An advisory meeting is not approval or evidence of clinical benefit.
khanacademymedicine
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland
How the hypothalamus and pituitary coordinate hormone release, including growth and reproductive hormones.
Khan Academy · endocrine physiology
Related biology
Background on hypothalamus and pituitary signalling for understanding CJC-1295. It does not demonstrate benefits of this compound or formulation.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
Patient guide to growth hormone deficiency
An overview of growth hormone deficiency and specialist care. It does not establish anti-ageing benefits or benefits of growth-hormone-releasing research peptides.
Professional endocrinology association
Related biology
Explains diagnosed growth hormone deficiency. This is different from claims about anti-ageing or unapproved growth-hormone-releasing compounds.
Sources and references
- Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GHRH, in healthy adultsTeichman et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
VETUD Learn explains published research in plain language. It is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
In the research shop
Check the catalog for related laboratory research materials. These products are separate from the approved medicines and clinical trial formulations discussed here.
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