What Is CJC-1295 (no DAC)? The GHRH Analog Explained

By Peptide House Research Desk · July 10, 2026 · 6 min read

Illustration of pulsatile growth hormone release over time

CJC-1295 shows up in research discussions in two forms — "with DAC" and "no DAC" — and the difference between them is the single most important thing to understand about it. This profile explains what the molecule is, what that DAC label means, and why it changes the compound's behaviour so much.^[1]

What the molecule is

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) — the natural signal your hypothalamus sends to the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH). Specifically, it is based on the first 29 amino acids of GHRH (the active fragment), with a few modifications that make it more resistant to breakdown. The "no DAC" form is often also called Modified GRF (1-29), or "mod GRF 1-29."

DAC vs. no DAC

DAC stands for "Drug Affinity Complex" — a chemical add-on that lets the peptide bind to albumin, a carrier protein in blood. That binding dramatically extends how long the molecule lasts:

With DAC: very long-acting. Research reported elevated GH and IGF-1 sustained for days after a single dose.^[2]
No DAC (mod GRF 1-29): short-acting, cleared within roughly half an hour. Because it comes and goes quickly, it is studied for producing a brief, pulse-like GH release rather than a sustained elevation.

Neither is "better" in the abstract — they are simply different tools. The natural body releases GH in pulses, which is why the short-acting form is of interest to researchers modelling that rhythm.

The DAC form produces a prolonged signal; the no-DAC form produces a brief spike. Conceptual illustration. Peptide House Research Desk.

Where the evidence stands

The formal clinical literature — such as the 2006 study by Teichman and colleagues — mostly concerns the DAC version and its long-acting pharmacology.^[2] The no-DAC form is used largely as a research reference for GHRH-pathway work and has a thinner formal evidence base. As with every compound here, it is a research material, not an approved drug.

Handling in the lab

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is supplied lyophilized. Being short-acting and peptide-based, careful cold, dry storage and prompt use after reconstitution matter — see reconstitution and storage stability. Note that our catalogue item is the no-DAC single peptide (it does not contain ipamorelin); the listing is on the CJC-1295 (no DAC) product page.

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. This article is educational and summarizes published literature; it does not describe or recommend any use in humans and is not medical advice.

References

National Center for Biotechnology Information. "CJC-1295 compound summary." PubChem. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. "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." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006. PubMed.