CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (The GH Secretagogue Stack)

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are the most commonly prescribed growth hormone secretagogue combination. The rationale is that they stimulate growth hormone release through two independent pathways — the GHRH receptor and the ghrelin receptor — and their combined effect on GH output is greater than either alone. CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that extends the natural GHRH signal. Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue that activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a); in the original swine studies it released GH without the ACTH and cortisol rise seen with older secretagogues like GHRP-6 and GHRP-2. Together, they are designed to amplify the body's natural pulsatile GH release pattern, particularly the large nocturnal pulse during deep sleep.

GHRH and ghrelin receptor agonists work through complementary intracellular signaling in pituitary somatotrophs. CJC-1295 activates the GHRH receptor, triggering the cAMP/PKA pathway that primes somatotrophs for GH release. Ipamorelin activates GHS-R1a, which signals through the PLC/IP3/PKC pathway, directly triggering GH vesicle exocytosis. When both pathways are activated simultaneously, the result is synergistic — the GHRH signal sets the amplitude of the GH pulse while the ghrelin signal triggers the release. Published data on GHRH + GHRP combinations shows that co-administration produces GH output significantly greater than the additive effect of each alone. This is true pharmacological synergy, not just additive dosing. CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) provides extended half-life through albumin binding, maintaining elevated GHRH signaling between doses. The no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) has a shorter half-life and produces more discrete GH pulses.

The synergy between GHRH-type and ghrelin-type secretagogues is well-established in clinical research. A landmark 1990 study in healthy men (Bowers et al.) showed that submaximal doses of GHRP-6 given together with GHRH released GH synergistically — more than the two responses added together. CJC-1295 specifically has published human data showing prolonged GH and IGF-1 elevation — two randomized, placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults found that a single dose raised GH for 6 days or more and IGF-1 for 9–11 days. Ipamorelin's human data are thinner: pharmacokinetic work shows a dose-proportional, single GH pulse, but its selectivity comes from swine studies in which it did not raise ACTH or cortisol, unlike GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 (Raun et al., 1998). Its one Phase 2 efficacy trial, intravenous ipamorelin for postoperative ileus, found no significant benefit over placebo. However, the specific combination of CJC-1295 + ipamorelin has limited published trial data as a pair. The synergy rationale is extrapolated from GHRH + GHRP studies using earlier-generation compounds.

Typically administered together via subcutaneous injection before bedtime to amplify the natural nocturnal GH pulse. CJC-1295 with DAC is often dosed less frequently (1-2 times per week) due to its extended half-life, while CJC-1295 no-DAC and ipamorelin are typically dosed daily. Specific dosing and cycling protocols should be determined by a qualified clinician. Neither peptide is on FDA's 503A Bulks List or in 503A Category 1; FDA's April 2026 removal of both from 503A Category 2 is not authorization to compound them.