CJC-1295
Also known as: GHRH analogue, Modified GRF (1-29)
A long-acting GHRH analogue that raises growth-hormone output — but its marketed muscle and anti-ageing benefits are unproven in healthy people.
What it is
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), engineered to last far longer in the body than the natural signal. It is heavily marketed for muscle and anti-ageing, often paired in that marketing with faster-acting secretagogues.
Composition
It is a modified GHRH peptide. A version was designed to bind to a blood protein so it persists much longer than natural GHRH. What is sold online is a laboratory-made research chemical.
Proposed mechanism
As a GHRH analogue, it tells the pituitary to release growth hormone, raising circulating growth hormone and IGF-1 — the pathway the muscle and anti-ageing claims hang on.
Claimed benefits
Increased muscle, reduced fat, improved recovery and "anti-ageing" effects.
What the evidence shows
Marketing claim· mixed evidence. Early studies established that it can raise growth hormone and IGF-1, but raising a hormone is not the same as producing muscle or fat-loss results. There are no robust long-term trials demonstrating the physique or anti-ageing benefits it is marketed for.
Legal & regulatory status
Not an approved medicine, sold as a research chemical. GHRH and its analogues are named on the WADA Prohibited List under peptide hormones and growth factors, and are banned in sport at all times.
Known risks & unknowns
Its long-term safety in healthy people is unknown, and research-chemical products carry purity and contamination risks. Sustained elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1 has theoretical long-term risks that have not been well characterised for this compound.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- What is CJC-1295?
- It is a synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the natural signal that tells the pituitary to release growth hormone. It is engineered to last far longer in the body than natural GHRH, which is why it is often paired in marketing with faster-acting secretagogues.
- Does CJC-1295 build muscle?
- Early studies established that it can raise circulating growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, but raising a hormone is not the same as producing muscle or fat-loss results. There are no robust long-term trials demonstrating the physique or anti-ageing benefits it is marketed for.
- Is CJC-1295 safe?
- It is not an approved medicine, and its long-term safety in healthy people is unknown. Materials sold as research chemicals also carry purity and contamination risks. Sustained elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1 has theoretical long-term risks that have not been well characterised for this compound.
- Is CJC-1295 banned in sport?
- Yes. GHRH and its analogues are named on the WADA Prohibited List under peptide hormones and growth factors, and are banned at all times.
Related compounds
- Ipamorelin — Marketing claim
An evidence-tiered explainer on ipamorelin: a synthetic growth-hormone secretagogue marketed for muscle, fat loss and anti-ageing, whose real-world fitness benefits in healthy people are unproven.
- Sermorelin — Preliminary
An evidence-tiered explainer on sermorelin: a growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue with a genuine medical history, now marketed for anti-ageing and muscle on evidence that doesn't support those claims.
- Tesamorelin — Well-supported
An evidence-tiered, non-promotional explainer on tesamorelin (Egrifta): a GHRH analogue, the one GH-releasing peptide with FDA approval and robust trial data — for a specific medical use, not fitness.
- GHRP-6 — Marketing claim
An evidence-tiered explainer on GHRP-6: an older growth-hormone-releasing peptide known for strongly stimulating appetite, marketed for muscle on evidence that doesn't establish real-world benefit.
Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale — MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
Last reviewed: