CJC-1295 with DAC vs without DAC
Same name, very different behavior. Which one do you actually want?
Reviewed by the amino101 editorial team. , first published .
The DAC in CJC-1295 stands for drug affinity complex, a chemical tag that binds the peptide to albumin in the blood and stretches its half-life from about 30 minutes to roughly a week. That one change turns a peptide that gives a brief, natural-looking growth hormone pulse into one that raises growth hormone and IGF-1 around the clock. The version without DAC is properly called Mod GRF 1-29, though vendors label both as CJC-1295 and the confusion costs people money.
| CJC-1295 (DAC) | CJC-1295 (no DAC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dosage | 1 to 2 mg per week | 100 to 200 mcg |
| Frequency | once or twice weekly | 1 to 3 times daily |
| Route | Subcutaneous | Subcutaneous |
| Half-life | 6 to 8 days once bound to albumin | roughly 30 minutes in plasma |
| Cycle | 8 to 12 weeks | 8 to 16 weeks |
| Research level | Well researched | Limited research |
| Human trials | Randomized trials | Small pilots |
| Status | Investigational, not FDA approved (Phase 2 development discontinued) | Investigational, not FDA approved |
| Effects timeline | IGF-1 rise within the first week, water retention 1 to 2 weeks, body composition 8 to 12 weeks | deeper sleep 1 to 2 weeks, IGF-1 rise on bloodwork by 4 weeks, body composition 8 to 12 weeks |
Key differences
CJC-1295 (DAC) vs CJC-1295 (no DAC) dosage
Dosage patterns reported in research and community protocols, by goal. Taken from each compound page. Not a prescription.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerance check | 500 mcg | once weekly for the first 1 to 2 weeks |
| Standard | 1 mg | once weekly |
| Split dosing | 1 mg | twice weekly, 2 mg per week total |
| Layered with a GHRP | 1 mg | once weekly, plus 100 mcg ipamorelin nightly |
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Standard nightly pulse | 100 mcg | once daily before bed |
| Three pulse protocol | 100 mcg | 3 times daily, on waking, after training, before bed |
| Larger single pulse | 200 mcg | once daily before bed |
| Sleep focus | 100 mcg | once daily, 15 minutes before sleep |
Convert any of these to syringe units in the dosage calculator.
Side effects compared
- ▲Water retention with puffy hands, feet, or face
- ▲Tingling or numbness in the fingers, carpal tunnel type symptoms
- ▲Head rush and flushing after injection
- ▲Headache or fatigue in the first weeks
- ▲Rising fasting glucose
- ▲Flushing, warmth, and a short head rush right after injection
- ▲Water retention and puffy hands or feet at higher doses
- ▲Tingling or numbness in the fingers
- ▲Headache or lightheadedness
- ▲Injection site redness or itching
Which should you choose?
CJC-1295 with DAC fits someone who will not manage nightly injections and is willing to trade pulsatility for convenience. One or two injections a week at 1 to 2 mg total keeps GH and IGF-1 elevated continuously. Expect more water retention and plan on IGF-1 bloodwork at 8 to 12 weeks.
CJC-1295 without DAC, properly Mod GRF 1-29, is the better choice for almost everyone else. 100 mcg before bed paired with 100 mcg ipamorelin gives a clean pulse that fits the body's own rhythm, with fewer side effects because exposure lasts about 30 minutes. It is the version used in the CJC-1295 and ipamorelin stack.
Most people who understand the difference choose no DAC. Growth hormone is meant to be released in pulses, the body responds better to pulses, and pairing Mod GRF 1-29 with ipamorelin before bed gives a clean nightly peak with less water retention and less desensitization. Pick the DAC version only if you cannot manage daily injections and accept a flatter, less physiological profile. Whatever you buy, check the label for the word DAC. A 5 mg vial of each looks identical and doses differ tenfold.
Stacking: No DAC plus ipamorelin is the standard GH stack. DAC is usually run alone or with a GHRP at a lower frequency.
CJC-1295 with DAC is a long-acting growth hormone releasing hormone analog that keeps growth hormone and IGF-1 elevated for about a week per injection. People use it for a steady rise in IGF-1 with only once or twice weekly dosing.
CJC-1295 without DAC, better known as Mod GRF 1-29, is a short-acting analog of growth hormone releasing hormone. People use it to prompt a natural-looking pulse of growth hormone, almost always paired with a GHRP like ipamorelin.
CJC-1295 with DAC vs without DAC: frequently asked
What does DAC mean in CJC-1295?
Drug affinity complex. It is a chemical group that binds the peptide to albumin in blood so it is not cleared for days. The DAC version has a half-life of about 6 to 8 days; without it, the same sequence clears in under 30 minutes.
Is CJC-1295 no DAC the same as Mod GRF 1-29?
Yes. Mod GRF 1-29 is the correct name for the tetrasubstituted GRF 1-29 sequence with no DAC attached. Vendors label it CJC-1295 no DAC because that name sells. Both names refer to the same 29 amino acid peptide.
Which CJC-1295 is better with ipamorelin?
The no DAC version. Both are short acting, so injecting them together produces one combined pulse, which is the point of the GHRH plus GHRP pairing. DAC can be combined with ipamorelin too, but the ipamorelin pulses then sit on top of an already elevated baseline, which some people find increases water retention.
How much CJC-1295 DAC per week?
Community protocols report 1 to 2 mg per week, split into one or two injections, with some starting at 500 mcg to gauge tolerance. The original human study used a similar range. That is a reported range, not a recommendation.
Does CJC-1295 DAC cause desensitization?
The human data showed GH pulsatility persisted during continuous CJC-1295 stimulation, so the pituitary does not simply shut off. Community experience suggests a blunted response and more side effects over longer runs, which is why most protocols stop at 8 to 12 weeks and check IGF-1.
Related reading
Pulsatile growth hormone release
Growth hormone release with appetite support
The two halves of the most popular GH stack. What does each one do, and which CJC-1295 are you actually buying?
GLP-1
Guide
Guide
Sources
- Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-1 secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GHRH, in healthy adults. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006
- Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006