CJC-1295 (No DAC) vs IGF-1 DES
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, side effects, and research
Also: CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 no DAC
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), specifically a modified GHRH(1-29). The name covers two different products. CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds blood albumin, which stretches its half-life to roughly 6 to 8 days and raises GH and IGF-I for days from a single injection; this is the version ConjuChem took to Phase II before abandoning it, and the version the human data are about. CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29, the form this page is named for) lacks the albumin tether and is much shorter acting, though its human half-life has not been formally published. Neither is an approved drug, both are sold only as research chemicals, and GHRH analogs are banned in sport by WADA.
Also: des(1-3)IGF-1, Des(1-3) IGF-I
IGF-1 DES is insulin-like growth factor 1 with its first three amino acids chopped off, leaving a 67-residue peptide. That small cut makes it bind poorly to the IGF binding proteins that normally keep IGF-1 in check, so more of it reaches the receptor and it acts stronger, but shorter. It occurs naturally in small amounts (it was first isolated from human fetal brain tissue) and is sold online as a muscle-building research peptide. There are no human trials of it at all, so everything said about it in people is extrapolation.
Key Comparison Insights
- Both peptides belong to the Growth Hormone category, suggesting similar primary applications.
- CJC-1295 (No DAC) has stronger research evidence (Limited Human Data) compared to IGF-1 DES (Preclinical).
Detailed Comparison
| Attribute | CJC-1295 (No DAC) | IGF-1 DES |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth Hormone | Growth Hormone |
| FDA Status | Not FDA Approved | Not FDA Approved |
| Clinical Status | Pre I II III IV FDA | Pre I II III IV FDA |
| Mechanism of Action | CJC-1295 acts at the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells, the same receptor the body's own GHRH uses, prompting the pituitary to synthesize and release growth hormone. Native GHRH is broken down within minutes; CJC-1295 with DAC carries a reactive group that covalently bonds to circulating albumin after injection, shielding it from breakdown and stretching its half-life from minutes to days. The sustained GH elevation drives the liver to produce IGF-I, the downstream hormone behind many of GH's tissue effects. There are two versions: with DAC (long-acting, albumin-binding) and without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29), which lacks the albumin tether. Because it works through the pituitary, it relies on the gland's own GH-producing capacity. | Like regular IGF-1, des(1-3)IGF-1 activates the type 1 IGF receptor, a tyrosine kinase receptor closely related to the insulin receptor. That switches on PI3K/Akt and MAPK signalling, which drives cell growth, protein synthesis and glucose uptake. The difference is the binding proteins. In the body almost all IGF-1 rides around bound to IGFBPs, which limit how much can hit the receptor. Removing the N-terminal tripeptide (Gly-Pro-Glu) sharply weakens IGFBP binding while leaving receptor binding intact. In a 1992 JCI study on rat granulosa cells, des(1-3)IGF-1 was about 10 times more potent than intact IGF-1 when binding proteins were present, and roughly equal once they were removed, which shows the extra potency comes from dodging the binding proteins rather than a stronger receptor hit. The trade-off: unbound IGF-1 is cleared fast, so its action is short and local, which is why people inject it into a specific muscle. It also carries IGF-1's insulin-like effect on blood sugar. |
| Common Dosing | 100 mcg daily (no DAC) or 2 mg weekly (with DAC) Daily (no DAC) or 1-2x weekly (with DAC) | Community-reported 20-100 mcg per day Usually once daily on training days |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection | Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection (community practice); studied by injection in animals only |
| Typical Duration | 8-12 weeks | Community reports describe short cycles of about 4-6 weeks; there is no human data on safe duration |
| Best Time to Take | Before bed | Around training, per community practice |
Possible Side Effects May vary by individual |
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| Research Summary | The key human study is Teichman et al. (2006) in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ascending-dose trial in healthy adults using the DAC version. A single subcutaneous injection raised mean plasma GH 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-I 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days, with cumulative effects on repeat dosing, and was reported as safe and relatively well tolerated short-term. A follow-up study in healthy men found GH still came in pulses rather than a flat line, with trough GH levels rising sharply. An earlier study showed once-daily CJC-1295 normalized growth in GHRH-knockout mice. These are hormone-level and pharmacokinetic studies, not outcome trials: there are no long-term human trials showing fat loss or muscle gain, and no published randomized trial of the popular CJC-1295 plus ipamorelin combination. The no-DAC form has essentially no published human data of its own. Development was halted after Phase II; a single trial death was attributed by the attending physician to pre-existing coronary artery disease rather than the drug, which is reported but not independently confirmed. FDA has also noted reported adverse events including increased heart rate and a systemic vasodilatory reaction. Bottom line: the GH and IGF-I-raising effect of the DAC version is well supported, while real-world efficacy and long-term safety are not. | The research is old, small, and entirely in cells and animals. Sara, Carlsson-Skwirut and colleagues isolated a truncated variant of IGF-1 from human fetal brain in 1986 (PNAS). In GH-deficient lit/lit mice, Gillespie and colleagues (J Endocrinol, 1990) found that 3 microgram daily injections of des(1-3)IGF-1 increased body length about as much as 30 micrograms of regular IGF-1, confirming its higher potency in a living animal; organ weights (kidney, heart) also rose. Adashi and colleagues (JCI, 1992) showed the roughly 10-fold potency gain disappears when IGF binding proteins are removed. Beyond that, it is mostly a lab tool for studying the IGF system. There are no human trials, no pharmacokinetic data in people, and no safety data. Claims about local muscle hyperplasia, fat loss, or recovery are bodybuilding lore built on IGF-1 biology, not on studies of this peptide. Theoretical risks are the same as for IGF-1 and other analogues: low blood sugar, and long-term concerns about feeding the growth of existing tumours, since IGF-1 signalling is a known growth pathway in several cancers. Quality is another unknown: the material sold online has no pharmaceutical oversight. |
Frequently Asked Questions: CJC-1295 (No DAC) vs IGF-1 DES
What is the difference between CJC-1295 (No DAC) and IGF-1 DES?
CJC-1295 (No DAC) is a growth hormone peptide that cjc-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (ghrh), specifically a modified ghrh(1-29). the name covers two different products. cjc-1295 with dac (drug affinity complex) binds blood albumin, which stretches its half-life to roughly 6 to 8 days and raises gh and igf-i for days from a single injection; this is the version conjuchem took to phase ii before abandoning it, and the version the human data are about. cjc-1295 without dac (modified grf 1-29, the form this page is named for) lacks the albumin tether and is much shorter acting, though its human half-life has not been formally published. neither is an approved drug, both are sold only as research chemicals, and ghrh analogs are banned in sport by wada. IGF-1 DES is a growth hormone peptide that igf-1 des is insulin-like growth factor 1 with its first three amino acids chopped off, leaving a 67-residue peptide. that small cut makes it bind poorly to the igf binding proteins that normally keep igf-1 in check, so more of it reaches the receptor and it acts stronger, but shorter. it occurs naturally in small amounts (it was first isolated from human fetal brain tissue) and is sold online as a muscle-building research peptide. there are no human trials of it at all, so everything said about it in people is extrapolation. The main differences lie in their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.
Which is better, CJC-1295 (No DAC) or IGF-1 DES?
Neither is universally "better" - the choice depends on your specific goals. CJC-1295 (No DAC) is typically used for growth hormone purposes, while IGF-1 DES is used for growth hormone. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine which may be appropriate for your situation.
Can CJC-1295 (No DAC) and IGF-1 DES be used together?
Some peptide protocols combine multiple compounds for synergistic effects. However, using CJC-1295 (No DAC) and IGF-1 DES together should only be considered under medical supervision, as both compounds have their own side effect profiles and potential interactions. Research on their combined use may be limited.