Prof. PeptideProf. Peptide

CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin (GH Stack)

Growth HormoneResearch-GradeCombination Blend

Last reviewed: September 28, 2026 · Updated

Quick Facts

What it is
A combination of CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29; a short-acting GHRH analog) and Ipamorelin (a selective ghrelin/GHSR agonist) that raise growth hormone through two complementary pathways, commonly referred to as the “GH Stack.”
How it's taken
Subcutaneous injection, both peptides together, most often pre-bed on an empty stomach
Half-life
CJC-1295 (no-DAC): no published figure · Ipamorelin ~2 hours
Typical research dose
100–300 mcg CJC-1295 (no-DAC) + 100–300 mcg Ipamorelin per injection, 1–3× daily, in 8–12 week cycles
Research status
Not FDA-approved — research use only. No published human trial of CJC-1295 without DAC has been identified.
On this page
  1. 1.Where to source GH Stack
  2. 2.What is CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin?
  3. 3.How does the GH Stack work?
  4. 4.What is the human trial evidence for CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin?
  5. 5.What is the GH Stack used for?
  6. 6.How long does the GH Stack take to work?
  7. 7.How is the GH Stack dosed?
  8. 8.What are the side effects of the GH Stack?
  9. 9.How is the GH Stack administered?
  10. 10.What does the GH Stack stack well with?
  11. 11.Does the GH Stack interact with other drugs?
  12. 12.How should the GH Stack be stored?
  13. 13.What are the limitations of GH Stack research?
  14. 14.GH Stack FAQ
  15. 15.References
  16. 16.Published Studies

Where to source GH Stack

The GH Stack is not FDA-approved and is sold by specialty peptide vendors for laboratory research use only. Researchers typically source CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin as separate vials; some vendors also list a pre-blended CJC-1295/Ipamorelin vial, though our data does not confirm the specific formulation. The vendors below have been vetted for transparent third-party testing, traceable batch documentation, and verified discount codes, and carry both components.

Capstone Peptides50% off
Professor's Pick

Accumark Labs · digital COAs

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Amino Club40% off

ILS Laboratories · batch COAs

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Peptide Partners10% off
Professor's Pick

Kovera, Chromate and BioRegen · certificates checked at each lab

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Glacier Aminos

Batch-traceable COAs

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Compare prices across 56 vendors

Also stocking CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin (GH Stack)

Modern Aminos, Modified Aminos, NovaForge Labs, OneDay Compounds — each carries a current price row for this compound.

Compare all 56 vendors stocking CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin (GH Stack)

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What is CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin?

The GH Stack is a 2-component growth hormone secretagogue blend combining CJC-1295 (a synthetic GHRH analog) and Ipamorelin (a selective GHRP). Activating both the GHRH receptor and the ghrelin / GHS-R1a receptor on pituitary somatotrophs at the same time is intended to produce synergistic growth hormone release — reported for an early GHRP given with GHRH in 18 men (Bowers et al. 1990), not for this pairing — while preserving the physiological pulsatile pattern of natural GH secretion. The stack is the most popular GH secretagogue blend in the research-grade market, and Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol, ACTH, prolactin, or appetite spike) is the reason this particular combination became dominant over older GHRH/GHRP pairings.

New to peptide research? Start with the basics

Reported benefits:

  • Synergistic GH release reported for an early GHRP given with GHRH in 18 men (Bowers et al. 1990); not tested for this pairing
  • Physiologically pulsatile GH release pattern (preserves feedback regulation)
  • Elevated IGF-1 supporting anabolic and metabolic processes
  • No significant cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin elevation (Ipamorelin's selectivity advantage)
  • Enhanced sleep quality through GH-mediated slow-wave sleep support
  • Body composition, recovery, and connective-tissue effects studied across multiple research applications

Common research dose: 100–300 mcg CJC-1295 (without DAC) + 100–300 mcg Ipamorelin per injection, 1–3× daily subcutaneously, pre-bed and empty stomach. Pre-blended vials typically 10 mg total (5 mg + 5 mg) at fixed 1:1 ratio. CJC-1295 with DAC follows a different protocol (1–2 mg once weekly).

Where to buy: Many researchers buy CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin as separate vials; our data does not confirm a pre-blended SKU. Neither component is FDA-approved. See Verified Discount Codes for current options.

How does the GH Stack work?

The GH Stack combines two peptides that hit the same gland through different doors. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog — it activates the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, the same receptor the body's natural growth hormone-releasing hormone uses. Ipamorelin is a GHRP (growth hormone-releasing peptide), selective for the ghrelin / GHS-R1a receptor on the same cells. When both receptors fire at once, the pituitary releases more GH than either signal triggers alone — and in a pulsatile pattern that mirrors physiological GH secretion rather than producing a sustained, unphysiologic flood.

  1. CJC-1295 — GHRH Pathway Activation [1]. CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor on anterior pituitary somatotrophs. Activation triggers a Gs-coupled cAMP/PKA cascade that drives GH gene transcription and primes the somatotroph for GH release. The CJC-1295 with DAC variant binds serum albumin via a maleimide group, extending the half-life to 5.8–8.1 days per Teichman et al. 2006 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab). The CJC-1295 without DAC variant (Modified GRF 1-29) — the form used in pre-blended GH Stack products — has no published human half-life figure.
  2. Ipamorelin — GHS-R1a Pathway Activation [2]. Ipamorelin selectively activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor) on the same pituitary somatotrophs. Activation triggers a Gq-coupled phospholipase C / IP3 / calcium / PKC cascade that drives immediate GH release. Ipamorelin's defining feature is selectivity: it does this without meaningfully elevating cortisol, ACTH, prolactin, FSH, LH, or TSH, distinguishing it from older GHRPs.
  3. Dual-Pathway Synergy [3]. Simultaneous activation of GHRHR (cAMP / PKA) and GHS-R1a (calcium / PKC) converges at the somatotroph secretory machinery. In 18 healthy men, Bowers et al. 1990 found that submaximal doses of an early GHRP given with GHRH stimulated GH release synergistically. That study did not test CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin and gives no area-under-the-curve multiple.
  4. Pulsatile vs Continuous Release [4]. The short half-lives of CJC-1295 (no-DAC) and Ipamorelin produce a discrete GH pulse over 1–2 hours, then return to baseline. This mirrors the body's natural overnight and post-exercise GH pulses, preserving feedback regulation and avoiding the sustained supraphysiological IGF-1 elevations seen with exogenous HGH administration. The CJC-1295 with DAC variant produces sustained “GH bleed” with less pulsatility — researchers choosing the with-DAC form trade physiological pulsatility for dosing convenience.
  5. Downstream IGF-1 Elevation [4]. The increased pituitary GH output drives elevated hepatic IGF-1 production, which carries most of the systemic anabolic and tissue-repair effects (lean mass support, recovery, joint and connective tissue effects). Both forms of the GH Stack drive measurable IGF-1 elevation in human research.

What is the human trial evidence for CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin?

The two components have very different evidence records, reported separately rather than blended into one grade for the pairing.

CJC-1295 without DAC: thin

No published human trial of CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) has been identified — this page carries no evidence grade for it, and this site's CJC-1295 profile reports the same finding. Teichman et al. 2006 [5] is the only published human trial of either CJC-1295 form, and it dosed the DAC-conjugated molecule; its background discussion gives about 7 minutes for native GHRH and no half-life figure for the no-DAC form. This page does not borrow the DAC trial's dosing or outcome data and present it as evidence for the no-DAC form — the mechanism and dosing sections state the no-DAC figures as mechanistic inference and community-reported practice, not trial results.

Ipamorelin: Human RCT-level

Ipamorelin has its own human trial record, independent of the CJC-1295 form it is paired with. Raun et al. 1998 [2] is animal work: in swine, Ipamorelin did not raise ACTH or cortisol beyond the levels seen after GHRH stimulation, while GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 raised both. Gobburu et al. 1999 [6] is a dose-escalation pharmacokinetic trial in 40 healthy men that derived the ~2-hour terminal half-life this page cites, using intravenous infusion at weight-based doses rather than the subcutaneous flat-dose figures reported in community practice. Neither study tested Ipamorelin alongside CJC-1295 without DAC as a combination.

The general mechanism of combining a GHRH-pathway analog with a ghrelin-receptor agonist (GHRP) has separate support — Bowers et al. 1990 [3] found supra-additive GH release from co-administering a native GHRH analog with a GHRP, and Ishida et al. 2020 [4] reviews the class mechanistically — but neither paper tested Modified GRF (1-29) with Ipamorelin specifically, and this page does not present them as evidence for that exact combination.

What is the GH Stack used for?

The GH Stack is the most popular research-grade approach to GH axis support. Where direct HGH administration produces a flat, sustained elevation, the GH Stack triggers the body's own pituitary to release GH in pulses — preserving feedback regulation. Researchers use it for body composition, recovery, sleep quality, and age-related GH-axis decline.

  1. Body Composition [4]. Elevated GH and downstream IGF-1 support lean muscle synthesis, visceral fat metabolism, and overall body composition. The most-cited GH Stack use case in the research and biohacking communities.
  2. Sleep Quality [1]. Growth hormone is predominantly secreted during slow-wave sleep. Pre-bed GH Stack dosing reinforces the natural overnight GH pulse and is studied for slow-wave sleep enhancement. Subjective sleep quality improvements are sometimes reported within 1–2 weeks, though no trial or label has been identified establishing this timeframe.
  3. Recovery and Tissue Repair. Elevated GH and IGF-1 support faster recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage and injury through enhanced protein synthesis and cellular repair mechanisms. Researchers sometimes stack GH Stack with BPC-157 and TB-500 for combined local + systemic tissue-repair coverage.
  4. Anti-Aging and Sarcopenia Prevention [4]. GH axis activity declines significantly with age. The GH Stack is studied as a means of supporting GH axis function in older adults to counteract age-related muscle loss, fat accumulation, and metabolic decline. Sermorelin (a similar GHRH analog) was FDA-approved as Geref, but both Geref applications are listed as discontinued in Drugs@FDA.
  5. Joint and Connective Tissue Support. IGF-1 supports collagen synthesis and connective tissue maintenance. Common research application alongside resistance training and tissue-repair peptide stacks.

How long does the GH Stack take to work?

GH Stack effects build over weeks. Sleep quality and subjective recovery improve fastest — often within the first 1–2 weeks. Subjective joint, connective-tissue, and recovery effects accumulate over 4–8 weeks. Body composition changes (lean mass, fat distribution) take 12–24 weeks to become visually measurable.

IGF-1 elevation is measurable in serum within days of starting the stack. The GH Stack does not produce dramatic short-term changes — it produces gradual, accumulating effects driven by sustained but pulsatile elevation of endogenous GH and downstream IGF-1. Standard research cycles run 8–16 weeks active with a similar off-period to avoid pituitary receptor desensitization. Sermorelin clinical data on similar GHRH-pathway compounds shows continued benefit through multi-month treatment with appropriate cycling.

How is the GH Stack dosed?

Prof. Peptide reports what trials established and what research communities practice, labelled separately. Neither is a recommendation.

Need to calculate a dose?

Use the Prof. Peptide dosage calculator for accurate reconstitution and dosing math.

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No controlled trial has established a dosing protocol for this pairing. The figures below are reported research-community practice for CJC-1295 without DAC + Ipamorelin, the form pre-blended GH Stack products almost always use — see the DAC contrast FAQ below for the once-weekly with-DAC alternative, which is dosed on a different schedule and not pre-blended.

Community-reported protocol:

  1. Dose. 100–300 mcg CJC-1295 no-DAC + 100–300 mcg Ipamorelin per injection.
  2. Frequency. 1–3× daily subcutaneously. Pre-bed is the most common single-dose protocol; researchers running 2–3× daily often add a post-workout and an upon-waking dose.
  3. Cycle. 8–12 weeks active, 4-week break before re-cycle.
  4. Titration. Community-reported protocols begin at 100 mcg of each peptide daily, rising by ~50 mcg every 1–2 weeks where tolerated, reaching 200–300 mcg of each by weeks 5–12.
  5. Timing constraints. An empty stomach for 2 hours before injection is the convention — elevated insulin and somatostatin blunt the GH response.

Pre-blended formulations (research-grade vials)

Reference configuration. The reconstitution math in this section uses a reference GH Stack pre-blend of 10 mg total — 5 mg CJC-1295 + 5 mg Ipamorelin at a 1:1 ratio. A combined-mg vial label shows the total milligrams of both components together. Because a “CJC-1295/Ipamorelin” label does not reliably state the DAC status, confirming with the vendor which form a given pre-blend uses is worthwhile — our price data does not establish it.

Ratio variants. Some vendors offer non-1:1 blends (for example, 5 mg CJC-1295 + 2 mg Ipamorelin). The 1:1 ratio is the most common and is the default for daily pulsatile dosing.

The GH Stack is not FDA-approved. Dosing is derived from each component's individual research literature plus extensive research-community use — there are no approved retail dosing standards for the combination.

The Prof. Peptide dosage calculator converts between milligram figures and syringe units for a given reconstitution; it performs the arithmetic and does not set a schedule.

Common question: How often are CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin dosed?

What are the side effects of the GH Stack?

Most reported GH Stack side effects are mild and reflect the GH axis's natural effects on water balance and tissue growth — water retention, mild appetite changes, transient injection-site reactions. Ipamorelin's selectivity is why this combination became the default stack. The theoretical long-term concerns are insulin resistance and receptor desensitization from sustained GH-axis activation.

Common (most users)

  1. Mild injection site reactions. Redness, irritation, or transient pinkness.
  2. Mild water retention. Reflects normal GH-mediated sodium and water effects.
  3. Transient appetite changes. Generally mild with Ipamorelin (selective) compared to older GHRPs.
  4. Mild head rush / flushing. Most common with the first few doses, typically resolves with continued use.

Less common (moderate)

  1. Numbness / tingling in hands. Mild carpal-tunnel-like sensations from GH-related fluid retention. Resolves on cycle-off.
  2. Mild fasting glucose elevation. Reflects GH's normal counter-regulatory effects on insulin sensitivity. Worth monitoring during longer cycles.
  3. Headache. Typically mild, more common during dose titration.
  4. Vivid dreams / disrupted sleep onset. Reported with pre-bed dosing in some users. Usually adapts within 1–2 weeks.

Serious (rare or theoretical)

  1. Insulin resistance with chronic use. Sustained GH-axis activation can promote insulin resistance. The theoretical reason for cycling — 8–12 weeks on, 4-week minimum off.
  2. Receptor desensitization. Continuous GH-axis stimulation without breaks can downregulate pituitary receptor responsiveness. Avoided by standard cycling protocols.
  3. Theoretical mitogenic risk. Chronic IGF-1 elevation has theoretical tumor-stimulation concern from epidemiological associations of high baseline IGF-1 with certain cancer types. No signals have appeared in GH Stack research-community use.
  4. Anti-doping prohibition. Both CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List under S2.2.4 (Growth Hormone Releasing Factors) — CJC-1295 among the GHRH analogues, ipamorelin among the growth hormone secretagogues. The class is prohibited at all times.

Most side effects are mild and resolve with dose adjustment or cycle-off. Ipamorelin's selectivity profile means the combination avoids the cortisol elevation, prolactin elevation, and excessive appetite that older GHRP stacks produced.

How is the GH Stack administered?

The GH Stack is administered by subcutaneous injection using a small insulin syringe. Pre-bed dosing on an empty stomach is the standard research protocol because it synchronizes with the body's natural overnight GH pulse. Some protocols add a second daily dose post-workout or upon waking.

  1. Route. Subcutaneous injection. Common sites are the abdomen (avoiding a 2-inch radius around the navel), upper outer thighs, and back of the upper arms.
  2. Time of day. Pre-bed is the default — 30–60 minutes before sleep. Some protocols add a second dose post-workout or upon waking.
  3. Empty stomach. At least 2 hours after the last meal. Elevated insulin and somatostatin blunt the GH response — this is the most important timing rule for the GH Stack.
  4. Site rotation. Reported practice alternates sites each injection, staying at least 1 inch from previous injection sites.
  5. Missed dose. Reported practice resumes on the next scheduled dose. The convention is not to double-dose. For weekly CJC-1295 with DAC, the next dose is reported shifted by 1–2 days if needed.
  6. Reconstitution. Use bacteriostatic water for injection (BAC water) at the volume specified by the dosing calculator. Swirl gently — do not shake — to avoid damaging the peptides.
  7. Cycling. Community-reported, not trial-derived: 8–12 weeks on, 4-week minimum break. Community protocols describe cycling as a way to limit pituitary receptor desensitization; no study testing that was found.

Timing context. The GH Stack is dosed to reinforce the body’s own growth-hormone pulses — pre-bed, on an empty stomach, is the canonical protocol. Unlike the once-weekly GLP-class peptides, the no-DAC blend is short-acting and timing-sensitive: insulin and somatostatin from a recent meal will blunt the GH response. The table below summarizes the timing variables that most affect the result.

AspectReported
Frequency1–3× daily (no-DAC + Ipa) or 1× weekly CJC-DAC + 1× daily Ipa
Best time of dayPre-bed (30–60 min before sleep); optional second dose post-workout or upon waking
FoodEmpty stomach, 2+ hours after last meal (insulin + somatostatin blunt GH response)
Injection site rotationAbdomen (avoiding a 2-inch radius around the navel), upper outer thighs, and back of the upper arms, alternated per injection, is the standard subcutaneous-injection pattern
Half-lifeCJC-1295 no-DAC: no published figure found; Ipamorelin ~2 hours; CJC-1295 with DAC 5.8–8.1 days
Steady-stateSleep quality 1–2 weeks; recovery 4–8 weeks; body composition 12–24 weeks

Reconstitution math. The table below assumes the canonical pre-blended 10 mg vial — 5 mg CJC-1295 (no-DAC) + 5 mg Ipamorelin at a 1:1 ratio. Because the ratio is 1:1, every drawn unit delivers an equal dose of both peptides. A given bacteriostatic water volume sets the syringe units per-peptide at any target dose. All draws are measured on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).

BAC waterConcentration (each)100 / 100 mcg150 / 150200 / 200250 / 250300 / 300
1 mL5 mg/mL each2 units3 units4 units5 units6 units
2 mL2.5 mg/mL each4 units6 units8 units10 units12 units
3 mL1.67 mg/mL each6 units9 units12 units15 units18 units

For non-1:1 ratio blends (e.g., 5 mg CJC + 2 mg Ipa) or different vial totals, per-peptide math diverges — use the dosage calculator for ratio-specific math.

Units vs mcg. The table above reads in insulin-syringe units — on a U-100 syringe, 1 unit = 0.01 mL. Because the GH Stack is a 1:1 blend, each drawn unit delivers the same mcg of both CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin: 50 mcg of each per unit at 1 mL reconstitution, 25 mcg at 2 mL, and ~16.7 mcg at 3 mL. For a primer on reading insulin syringes and choosing the right barrel size, see our guide on syringes and injection technique.

What does the GH Stack stack well with?

The GH Stack pairs well with tissue-repair peptides and metabolic compounds — the GH-mediated systemic anabolic effect amplifies the local effects of other interventions. The thing to avoid is double-dosing the GH axis by adding another GH secretagogue (MK-677), or doubling either component via standalone protocols.

  1. Tissue-repair peptides. The most common pairing. BPC-157 + TB-500 (or the Wolverine Stack) for combined local + systemic tissue repair. Elevated IGF-1 amplifies the substrate for the local healing peptides.
  2. Metabolic/weight peptides. Semaglutide, cagrilintide, or CagriSema for fat-loss work where GH-mediated lean-mass preservation is a goal during caloric restriction.
  3. Sermorelin substitution. Sermorelin can substitute for CJC-1295 (no-DAC) — both are short-acting GHRH analogs. Sermorelin was FDA-approved as Geref (both applications now listed as discontinued in Drugs@FDA); compounded sermorelin is not an FDA-approved product.
  4. Tesamorelin substitution. Tesamorelin (FDA-approved GHRH analog for HIV-associated lipodystrophy) is a regulatory-cleaner option for the GHRH-pathway component, particularly for visceral fat targeting.
  5. Resistance training + adequate protein. Required for GH-mediated anabolic effect. GH and IGF-1 elevation without mechanical loading and protein substrate produces less lean-mass benefit.
  6. Conflicts: MK-677. MK-677 (ibutamoren) is another GH secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist) — stacking with Ipamorelin doubles the GHS-R1a activation without proportional benefit and increases appetite/cortisol risk.
  7. Conflicts: full-dose standalone CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin. The GH Stack already contains both at meaningful doses. Stacking with standalone CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin protocols doubles the dose without independent benefit.

Does the GH Stack interact with other drugs?

The GH Stack has limited well-documented systemic drug interactions, but several theoretical concerns apply because GH and IGF-1 affect insulin sensitivity, fluid balance, and tissue growth. The most material is the potential interaction with insulin and oral diabetes medications in users with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

  1. Insulin and oral hypoglycemics. GH counter-regulates insulin. Users on insulin, metformin, or other diabetes medications may need dose adjustment. Fasting glucose worth monitoring during GH Stack cycles.
  2. Corticosteroids. Chronic corticosteroid use can suppress the GH axis at the pituitary level — potentially blunting the GH Stack response. No acute safety concern documented.
  3. Other GH-axis compounds. MK-677, HGH itself, IGF-1 LR3 — overlapping mechanisms increase IGF-1 elevation without proportional benefit and amplify side effects.
  4. Levothyroxine. GH-axis activation can shift T4-to-T3 conversion. Users on thyroid replacement may notice dose adequacy changes during GH Stack cycles.
  5. Component-level interactions. Cross-reference the CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin individual peptide pages for full per-component interaction details.

How should the GH Stack be stored?

  1. Lyophilized (powder) form: -20°C long-term, 2–8°C short-term (refrigerated).
  2. Reconstituted solution: 2–8°C, refrigerated, is standard practice once dissolved. Prof. Peptide has not identified a manufacturer label, published study, or lab document establishing how long reconstituted research-grade CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin remains stable — this page does not state a duration as fact.
  3. Reconstitution: bacteriostatic water for injection (BAC water). Swirl gently — do not shake.
  4. The reconstituted solution is not frozen. Freezing damages the peptides and renders them inactive.
  5. The GH Stack is stored protected from light, in the original container or an amber vial.
  6. Discard if the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.

What are the limitations of GH Stack research?

Most evidence on the GH Stack comes from preclinical models and small human studies of each component individually. The combination is widely used in the research community but has no controlled trial as a single product. The closest regulatory analog is Sermorelin, a GHRH analog once FDA-approved as Geref; both Geref applications are listed as discontinued in Drugs@FDA.

The GH Stack is NOT FDA-approved. Neither CJC-1295 nor Ipamorelin has approved human use. Tesamorelin, a GHRH analog with a similar mechanism, is FDA-approved as Egrifta. Sermorelin was FDA-approved as Geref, but both Geref applications are listed as discontinued in Drugs@FDA; compounding availability is not an approval. Neither approval covers this combination.

Most evidence on the combination is mechanistic and short-term human pharmacodynamic data. Long-term effects of sustained dual-pathway GH-axis stimulation are not fully established — theoretical concerns include insulin resistance, receptor desensitization, and chronic IGF-1 elevation effects. Standard cycling (8–12 weeks on, 4-week minimum off) is the research-community mitigation.

Compounded blends are sold as “research peptides.” Quality varies dramatically by source — particularly for distinguishing between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC, which is the single most important specification for the GH Stack. A third-party HPLC certificate is the only check on either.

Anti-doping: both CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List under S2.2.4 (Growth Hormone Releasing Factors) — CJC-1295 among the GHRH analogues, ipamorelin among the growth hormone secretagogues. The class is prohibited at all times, and the GH Stack contains both.

GH Stack FAQ

What is the GH Stack?

The GH Stack is a 2-component growth hormone secretagogue blend: CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) + Ipamorelin (a selective GHRP). Together they stimulate growth hormone release through two distinct pituitary receptor pathways simultaneously, producing larger and more pulsatile GH output than either compound alone. It's the most popular GH secretagogue blend in the research-grade market.

What's the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?

DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex — a maleimide group attached to CJC-1295 that binds it to serum albumin in the bloodstream. CJC-1295 with DAC has a half-life of approximately 6–8 days (Teichman et al. 2006 reported 5.8–8.1 days) and is dosed 1–2 mg once weekly. CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29) has no published half-life figure (the same study gives about 7 minutes for native GHRH and did not test the no-DAC form) and is dosed 100–300 mcg 2–3× daily. Pre-blended GH Stack products almost always use CJC-1295 without DAC because its short half-life synchronizes with Ipamorelin's ~2-hour half-life to preserve physiological pulsatile GH release.

Why is Ipamorelin the preferred GHRP partner?

Ipamorelin is selective for the ghrelin / GHS-R1a receptor — it triggers GH release without meaningfully elevating cortisol, ACTH, prolactin, FSH, LH, or TSH. Older GHRPs like GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and Hexarelin produced GH release but also drove cortisol and appetite increases. Ipamorelin's clean hormonal profile is the reason it became the default GHRP for stacking with GHRH analogs like CJC-1295 and Sermorelin.

Is the GH Stack FDA-approved?

No. Neither CJC-1295 nor Ipamorelin is FDA-approved for human use. Sermorelin — a similar GHRH analog with a short half-life — was FDA-approved as Geref, but both Geref applications are listed as discontinued in Drugs@FDA; availability through compounding pharmacies is not an FDA approval. Both CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are prohibited by WADA (Section S2 for peptide hormones / growth factors). Research-grade product is sold for laboratory use only.

When should I take the GH Stack?

Pre-bed dosing is the most common research protocol. Growth hormone naturally pulses during slow-wave sleep, and a CJC-1295 (no-DAC) + Ipamorelin injection 30–60 minutes before bed reinforces that overnight GH pulse. Some protocols add a second daily dose 4–6 hours later (typically post-workout). An empty stomach for at least 2 hours before injection is the standard recommendation because elevated insulin and somatostatin can blunt the GH response.

How long until I see results?

GH secretagogue stacks build effect over weeks. Sleep quality improvements (deeper slow-wave sleep, better recovery) often appear within 1–2 weeks. Subjective recovery and joint changes are sometimes reported to emerge over 4–8 weeks, though no trial or label has been identified establishing this timeframe. Body composition changes (lean mass, fat distribution) accumulate over 12–24 weeks. Standard research cycles run 8–16 weeks active with a similar off-period to avoid receptor desensitization.

Can I stack the GH Stack with other peptides?

Compatible additions include BPC-157 / TB-500 for tissue repair on top of GH-mediated systemic recovery, and cagrilintide or semaglutide for fat-loss work. Avoid stacking with MK-677 (another GH secretagogue with overlapping mechanism) or with full-dose standalone CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin.

Where can I buy the GH Stack?

Many researchers buy CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin as separate vials; our data does not confirm or price a pre-blended CJC-1295/Ipamorelin vial, so a pre-blended vial's CJC-1295 form is worth confirming directly with the vendor. Prof. Peptide maintains a list of vetted vendors with verified discount codes — see Verified Discount Codes .

References

  1. Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(12):4792-4797. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17018654/
  2. Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552-561. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9849822/
  3. Bowers CY, Reynolds GA, Durham D, et al. Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide stimulates GH release in normal men and acts synergistically with GH-releasing hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1990;70(4):975-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2108187/
  4. Ishida J, Saitoh M, Ebner N, et al. Growth Hormone Secretagogues: History, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Development. JCSM Rapid Commun. 2020;3(1):25-37. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rco2.9
  5. 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). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799-805. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16352683/
  6. Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999;16(9):1412-1416. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10496658/

Published Studies

The GH Stack has no controlled trial as a combination, and no published human trial has dosed CJC-1295 without DAC at all. The studies below are Ipamorelin's own trial record, the DAC-form study kept here only as a sourced contrast, and the general GHRH+GHRP mechanistic literature.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006Open Access
Prolonged Stimulation of GH and IGF-I Secretion by CJC-1295 in Healthy Adults →

Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al.

The only published human trial of either CJC-1295 form — and it dosed the DAC-conjugated molecule, not the no-DAC form this pairing is dominated by. After a single injection, GH stayed elevated for 6 or more days and IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days. Its background section gives a half-life of about 7 minutes for native GHRH and no figure for the no-DAC form. Included here as the sourced contrast for the DAC variant's own pharmacology. No trial arm in this paper dosed subjects with CJC-1295 without DAC.

European Journal of Endocrinology · 1998Open Access
Ipamorelin, the First Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue →

Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al.

The selectivity study for Ipamorelin — animal data (rat pituitary cells, rats and swine), not a human trial. In swine, Ipamorelin did not raise ACTH or cortisol beyond the levels seen after GHRH stimulation, even at more than 200 times the GH ED50, while GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 raised both. None of the secretagogues tested changed FSH, LH, prolactin or TSH. The abstract gives no percentage figure for cortisol.

Pharmaceutical Research · 1999Paywalled
Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Ipamorelin, a Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide, in Human Volunteers →

Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L

Ipamorelin's human pharmacokinetics, from a dose-escalation trial in 40 healthy men. Used a 15-minute intravenous infusion at weight-based doses (4.21–140.45 nmol/kg, roughly 3–100 mcg/kg) — not the subcutaneous, flat-mcg community dosing reported for this stack — to derive the ~2-hour terminal half-life this page cites for Ipamorelin.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 1990Paywalled
GH-Releasing Peptide Stimulates GH Release in Normal Men and Acts Synergistically with GH-Releasing Hormone →

Bowers CY, Reynolds GA, Durham D, et al.

Human study in 18 healthy men. An early hexapeptide GHRP (His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH2, not Ipamorelin) and native GHRH(1-44) were given by IV bolus; submaximal GHRP doses combined with GHRH stimulated GH release synergistically. The abstract reports peak GH levels and gives no area-under-the-curve multiple, and the study did not test CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin. The convergence of the cAMP pathway (GHRHR) and the calcium/PKC pathway (GHS-R1a) is the proposed rationale for the GH Stack, not a result of this study.

JCSM Rapid Communications · 2020Open Access
Growth Hormone Secretagogues: History, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Development →

Ishida J, Saitoh M, Ebner N, et al.

A comprehensive review of the GH secretagogue class providing clinical context for the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination. The paper covers the evolution from native GHRH and ghrelin to long-acting analogs and selective GHRPs, documenting how the dual-pathway approach became the preferred research and clinical protocol for GH axis optimization. It also addresses why the combination is considered safer than direct HGH administration — stimulating endogenous production preserves natural feedback mechanisms and avoids supraphysiological IGF-1 spikes.

GH AxisGrowth Hormone SecretagogueRecoveryCombination BlendPreclinical

Related Peptides

CJC-1295IpamorelinSermorelinTesamorelinMK-677

Comparisons

CJC-1295 vs Sermorelin vs Ipamorelin

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