Research Reference
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Synergistic GH release — the classic growth hormone stack
Research & educational purposes only. BioMaxFit does not sell, promote, or represent peptides in any way. We are strictly educational and recommend working with your doctor on anything health-related. The information below comes from published research and documents what has been studied, not what should be done. Many of these compounds are investigational and not approved by the FDA; possession or use outside an authorized clinical trial may be illegal in your jurisdiction. This is not medical advice.
CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) and Ipamorelin (a ghrelin mimetic) activate two completely different receptor systems that converge on growth hormone (GH) release. The result is synergistic — 2–3x greater GH output than either alone (Bowers et al., 1991). This is the most widely used growth hormone peptide stack in the community.
Standard protocol: 250 mcg of each peptide, subcutaneous on an empty stomach, AM and/or PM. 5 days on / 2 days off, 8 weeks on / 8 weeks off. If dosing once daily, before bed is optimal to amplify the natural nocturnal GH surge.
This guide covers the no-DAC blend (the community standard); the sustained GH elevation from DAC is documented as conflicting with the pulsatile profile this stack aims to preserve.
Dosing Reference
Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial. Resulting concentration: 5 mg/mL.
| Dose | Syringe Units | mL Volume | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 mcg | 4 units | 0.04 mL | Daily PM SubQEntry (100mcg of each) |
| 500 mcg | 10 units | 0.1 mL | Daily PM SubQStandard (250mcg of each) |
| 600 mcg | 12 units | 0.12 mL | 3x/day SubQSaturation (300mcg of each, fasted) |
Math assumes U-100 insulin syringes (1 mL = 100 units). Verify your syringe matches before use. Round half-units to the nearest visible mark.
Reconstitution
Blend vials are labeled "5/5" — 5 mg CJC-1295 + 5 mg Ipamorelin (10 mg total). Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water for a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL per peptide (5 mg/mL total). A 250/250 mcg dose draws to 10 units (0.1 mL); one vial lasts 20 doses.
If using separate vials (5 mg each with 2 mL BAC water), draw 10 units from each into the same syringe — 20 units total per injection.
Gently swirl — do not shake. Refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 28 days.
Cycling Protocol
Community protocols typically run 250/250 mcg daily (5 on / 2 off) for 8 weeks followed by 8 weeks off. No loading phase is described; community sources document lower starting doses for first-time users:
- Week 1–2: 100 mcg CJC-1295 + 100 mcg Ipamorelin, once daily before bed
- Week 3–4: 200 mcg each, once daily before bed
- Week 5+: 250 mcg each, 1–2x daily
The short half-life of the no-DAC GHRH component preserves natural pulsatile GH patterns. Community sources frame the 5-on/2-off and 8-week-cycle pattern around cost and letting IGF-1 normalize between blocks; no long-term trials have evaluated continuous use of this blend.
Empty stomach timing: GH release is blunted by insulin. Community protocols describe dosing on an empty stomach — 30+ minutes before eating or 2+ hours after a meal.
Routes of Administration
Subcutaneous injection (standard): Lower abdomen (most common), love handles, or outer thigh. Both peptides can be drawn into the same syringe. Community documentation describes use of a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe at a 45–90 degree angle into a pinched skin fold, with injection-site rotation.
Community protocols for this stack use CJC-1295 without DAC; the sustained GH elevation from DAC is documented as conflicting with the pulsatile profile.
Stacking Protocols
| Stack | Components | Purpose | | --- | --- | --- | | + Recovery | CJC/Ipa 250/250 mcg + BPC-157 250–500 mcg | GH stimulation + tissue repair | | + Ultimate Healing | CJC/Ipa 250/250 mcg + TB-500 500 mcg | GH + cell migration/repair | | + Recomp | CJC/Ipa 250/250 mcg + Tesofensine 0.5 mg | GH + central appetite suppression |
Community protocols describe injecting at separate sites when using multiple peptides.
Side Effects & Safety
- Injection site reactions — redness, mild pain, or swelling
- Mild water retention — GH can cause transient fluid retention, typically resolves
- Tingling or numbness — occasional, related to GH-mediated nerve effects
- Headaches — occasional, typically mild
- Flushing or warmth — occasional, transient
- Insulin sensitivity changes — GH affects glucose metabolism; monitor if relevant
No long-term trials have evaluated continuous use of this blend. Ipamorelin is preferred over GHRP-2 or GHRP-6 in this stack because it releases GH selectively without cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH elevation (Raun et al., 1998).
Research Basis
GHRH + GHRP synergy: Bowers et al. demonstrated that combined GHRH + GHRP-6 produced GH peaks 2–3x higher than either alone (1991). The synergistic mechanism is identical for ipamorelin — both act through GHSR-1a.
CJC-1295 pharmacology: Human studies confirmed dose-dependent IGF-1 increases of 35–120%, sustained over the dosing period (Teichman et al., 2006).
Ipamorelin selectivity: Human pharmacology confirms selective GH release without cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH elevation at therapeutic doses (Raun et al., 1998). This is why ipamorelin is preferred over GHRP-2 or GHRP-6 for most users.
Sleep architecture: GHRH administration enhances slow-wave sleep duration in both young and elderly subjects (Steiger et al., 1992), supporting the PM dosing strategy.
Body composition: Tesamorelin (an FDA-approved GHRH analog) shows significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue (Falutz et al., 2007), supporting that GHRH-axis stimulation improves body composition.