Peptide

CJC-1295

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of 29 amino acids with modifications to extend its biological half-life. Developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies, it exists in two forms: CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) which binds to albumin for an extended half-life of 6-8 days, and Modified GRF (1-29) without DAC with a half-life of approximately 30 minutes. Clinical trials demonstrated sustained, dose-dependent increases in growth hormone and IGF-1 levels in healthy adults. Development was discontinued after Phase II trials, and it remains an investigational compound not approved by the FDA.

Updated 30 September 2026
How we grade
23 studies cited

Research notice. This page is for education and research. Peptides may not be FDA-approved for human use and may only be legally available for research. Talk to a qualified clinician before considering any peptide.

Best evidence: Grade B
Conditions studied: 4
Outcomes: 8
Graded outcomes: 0350

Evidence by condition

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

4 conditions

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Growth Hormone Deficiency: outcomes studied for CJC-1295
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Growth Hormone Levels 2-10 fold increase in plasma GH for 6+ days	Improves (the measure goes up)	Large effect	24 studies	120 people
Studies that measured growth hormone levels Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjectsGrowth Horm IGF Res · 2009 · PMID 19386527 Pulsatile vs continuous growth hormone secretion: clinical implicationsHorm Res · 2008 · PMID 18166110 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 adultsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16352683 Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouseAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16822960 Growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone secretagogues: clinical applicationsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16618948 Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analogEndocrinology · 2005 · PMID 15817669 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Growth hormone-releasing peptides, ghrelin, and growth hormone secretagoguesCurr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes · 2001 · PMID 11701431 Effects of intranasal growth hormone-releasing hormone on sleep and sleep-related growth hormone release in aged menNeuropsychobiology · 1999 · PMID 10524511 and 14 more in the citations list
	IGF-1 Levels 1.5-3 fold increase sustained for 9-11 days	Changes; see studies	Large effect	24 studies	120 people
Studies that measured igf-1 levels Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjectsGrowth Horm IGF Res · 2009 · PMID 19386527 Pulsatile vs continuous growth hormone secretion: clinical implicationsHorm Res · 2008 · PMID 18166110 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 adultsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16352683 Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouseAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16822960 Growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone secretagogues: clinical applicationsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16618948 Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analogEndocrinology · 2005 · PMID 15817669 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Growth hormone-releasing peptides, ghrelin, and growth hormone secretagoguesCurr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes · 2001 · PMID 11701431 Effects of intranasal growth hormone-releasing hormone on sleep and sleep-related growth hormone release in aged menNeuropsychobiology · 1999 · PMID 10524511 and 14 more in the citations list
	GH Pulse Amplitude 7.5-fold increase in GH pulse amplitude	Improves (the measure goes up)	Large effect	23 studies	60 people
Studies that measured gh pulse amplitude Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Pulsatile vs continuous growth hormone secretion: clinical implicationsHorm Res · 2008 · PMID 18166110 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 adultsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16352683 Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouseAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16822960 Growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone secretagogues: clinical applicationsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006 · PMID 16618948 Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analogEndocrinology · 2005 · PMID 15817669 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Growth hormone-releasing peptides, ghrelin, and growth hormone secretagoguesCurr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes · 2001 · PMID 11701431 Effects of intranasal growth hormone-releasing hormone on sleep and sleep-related growth hormone release in aged menNeuropsychobiology · 1999 · PMID 10524511 Induction of a prolonged increase in growth hormone (GH) levels by GH-releasing hormoneJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 1993 · PMID 8421103 and 13 more in the citations list
	Body Length/Growth Normalized growth in GH-deficient models	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	15 studies	40 people
Studies that measured body length/growth Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trialCaries Res · PMID 21822018 Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial.Clin Oral Investig · PMID 32951121 Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal · PMID 27918731 Efficacy of baking soda-containing chewing gum in removing natural tooth stainCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913307 Effects of a Baking Soda Gum on extrinsic dental stain: results of a longitudinal 4-week assessmentCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913306 A clinical investigation to evaluate reduction in dental stain provided by the once-daily use of a breath mint or chewing gumCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913308 The effect of systemic zinc supplementation on oral health in low socioeconomic level childrenTurk J Pediatr · PMID 20112596 Effects of probiotics on salivary Streptecoccus mutans and Lactobacillus levels in orthodontic patientsAm J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop · PMID 30268262 and 5 more in the citations list

Sleep Quality

Sleep Quality: outcomes studied for CJC-1295
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Slow-Wave Sleep Duration Enhanced deep sleep duration (GHRH analog data)	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	17 studies	35 people
Studies that measured slow-wave sleep duration Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Effects of intranasal growth hormone-releasing hormone on sleep and sleep-related growth hormone release in aged menNeuropsychobiology · 1999 · PMID 10524511 GHRH increases slow-wave sleep and REM sleep in humansEur J Endocrinol · 1996 · PMID 8636311 Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trialCaries Res · PMID 21822018 Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial.Clin Oral Investig · PMID 32951121 Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal · PMID 27918731 Efficacy of baking soda-containing chewing gum in removing natural tooth stainCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913307 Effects of a Baking Soda Gum on extrinsic dental stain: results of a longitudinal 4-week assessmentCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913306 A clinical investigation to evaluate reduction in dental stain provided by the once-daily use of a breath mint or chewing gumCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913308 and 7 more in the citations list

Aging & Longevity

Serum Protein Profile: improves

Aging & Longevity: outcomes studied for CJC-1295
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Serum Protein Profile Changes in apolipoprotein and immunoglobulin levels	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	16 studies	11 people
Studies that measured serum protein profile Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjectsGrowth Horm IGF Res · 2009 · PMID 19386527 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trialCaries Res · PMID 21822018 Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial.Clin Oral Investig · PMID 32951121 Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal · PMID 27918731 Efficacy of baking soda-containing chewing gum in removing natural tooth stainCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913307 Effects of a Baking Soda Gum on extrinsic dental stain: results of a longitudinal 4-week assessmentCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913306 A clinical investigation to evaluate reduction in dental stain provided by the once-daily use of a breath mint or chewing gumCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913308 The effect of systemic zinc supplementation on oral health in low socioeconomic level childrenTurk J Pediatr · PMID 20112596 and 6 more in the citations list

Body Composition

Lean Body Mass: improves
Fat Mass: improves

Body Composition: outcomes studied for CJC-1295
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Lean Body Mass Moderate improvement in lean mass (animal data)	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	15 studies	45 people
Studies that measured lean body mass Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trialCaries Res · PMID 21822018 Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial.Clin Oral Investig · PMID 32951121 Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal · PMID 27918731 Efficacy of baking soda-containing chewing gum in removing natural tooth stainCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913307 Effects of a Baking Soda Gum on extrinsic dental stain: results of a longitudinal 4-week assessmentCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913306 A clinical investigation to evaluate reduction in dental stain provided by the once-daily use of a breath mint or chewing gumCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913308 The effect of systemic zinc supplementation on oral health in low socioeconomic level childrenTurk J Pediatr · PMID 20112596 Effects of probiotics on salivary Streptecoccus mutans and Lactobacillus levels in orthodontic patientsAm J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop · PMID 30268262 and 5 more in the citations list
	Fat Mass Moderate reduction in adipose tissue	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	15 studies	45 people
Studies that measured fat mass Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report · 2010 · PMID 20547587 Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data · 2003 · PMID 12788835 Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trialCaries Res · PMID 21822018 Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial.Clin Oral Investig · PMID 32951121 Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal · PMID 27918731 Efficacy of baking soda-containing chewing gum in removing natural tooth stainCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913307 Effects of a Baking Soda Gum on extrinsic dental stain: results of a longitudinal 4-week assessmentCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913306 A clinical investigation to evaluate reduction in dental stain provided by the once-daily use of a breath mint or chewing gumCompend Contin Educ Dent · PMID 11913308 The effect of systemic zinc supplementation on oral health in low socioeconomic level childrenTurk J Pediatr · PMID 20112596 Effects of probiotics on salivary Streptecoccus mutans and Lactobacillus levels in orthodontic patientsAm J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop · PMID 30268262 and 5 more in the citations list

Key findings

Growth Hormone LevelsGrowth Hormone DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)
IGF-1 LevelsGrowth Hormone DeficiencyChanges; see studies
GH Pulse AmplitudeGrowth Hormone DeficiencyImproves (the measure goes up)

Studies cited

23 studies from PubMed

Analysis of growth hormone releasing hormone and its analogs in urine using nano liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/orbitrap mass spectrometry.Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 2026 · PMID 41138283
Early detection of cannabinoids in biological samples based on their affinity interaction with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.Talanta, 2022 · PMID 34736642
An antibody-free, ultrafiltration-based assay for the detection of growth hormone-releasing hormones in urine at low pg/mL concentrations using nanoLC-HRMS/MS.Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 2022 · PMID 35298973
Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.Drug testing and analysis, 2021 · PMID 34665524
Comparison of magnetic bead surface functionalities for the immunopurification of growth hormone-releasing hormones prior to liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.Journal of chromatography. A, 2020 · PMID 32971474
An immuno polymerase chain reaction screen for the detection of CJC-1295 and other growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogs in equine plasma.Drug testing and analysis, 2019 · PMID 30489688
Netnography of Female Use of the Synthetic Growth Hormone CJC-1295: Pulses and Potions.Substance use & misuse, 2016 · PMID 26771670
Qualitative identification of growth hormone-releasing hormones in human plasma by means of immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS.Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 2016 · PMID 26879649
Expanded test method for peptides >2 kDa employing immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS.Drug testing and analysis, 2015 · PMID 26382721
Immunoaffinity purification of peptide hormones prior to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in doping controls.Methods (San Diego, Calif.), 2012 · PMID 21871962
Safety and tolerability of subcutaneous CJC-1295 in healthy adults: Phase I clinical trialPhase I Trial Report, 2010 · PMID 20547587
Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjectsGrowth Horm IGF Res, 2009 · PMID 19386527
Pulsatile vs continuous growth hormone secretion: clinical implicationsHorm Res, 2008 · PMID 18166110
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 adultsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006 · PMID 16352683
Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouseAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2006 · PMID 16822960
Growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone secretagogues: clinical applicationsJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006 · PMID 16618948
Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2006 · PMID 17018654
Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analogEndocrinology, 2005 · PMID 15817669
Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of increasing repeat doses of CJC-1295 in healthy volunteersClinical Trial Data, 2003 · PMID 12788835
Growth hormone-releasing peptides, ghrelin, and growth hormone secretagoguesCurr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes, 2001 · PMID 11701431
Effects of intranasal growth hormone-releasing hormone on sleep and sleep-related growth hormone release in aged menNeuropsychobiology, 1999 · PMID 10524511
GHRH increases slow-wave sleep and REM sleep in humansEur J Endocrinol, 1996 · PMID 8636311
Induction of a prolonged increase in growth hormone (GH) levels by GH-releasing hormoneJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1993 · PMID 8421103