Sermorelin vs CJC-1295 (DAC)
How Sermorelin and CJC-1295 (DAC) differ on mechanism, dosing, and the strength of the evidence behind each.
How this is graded
Every compound below carries a REGEN research grade, from S (regulatory approval behind the use it is bought for) down to F (no clinical evidence). Ordering follows that grade rather than search volume, so the compound at the top is the one with the most evidence, not the one most often sold. Doses are those reported in published protocols and are not recommendations.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid fragment of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29), retaining full biological activity of the native 44-amino-acid hormone. It was FDA-approved as Geref for diagnostic and GH-deficiency use before being discontinued from the market for commercial reasons, though it remains a classic, well-characterized GH secretagogue in research and clinic use. Because it clears the body quickly, it's thought to preserve the pituitary's natural pulsatile GH release pattern better than longer-acting GHRH analogs. Supporting body-composition and sleep data comes mostly from studies of a closely related compound (GHRH 1-29) given intravenously, rather than sermorelin itself administered by injection — an important distinction when weighing the evidence.
CJC-1295 (DAC)
CJC-1295 (DAC) is the Drug Affinity Complex version of the GHRH analog. The DAC binds albumin and stretches the half-life to roughly a week, giving a sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 rather than a sharp pulse — convenient for less frequent dosing but a more continuous, less physiological release than the no-DAC form. Almost always run with a GH secretagogue like Ipamorelin. Monitor IGF-1 on cycle.
Evidence compared
| Sermorelin | CJC-1295 (DAC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Research grade | Cgrade | Dgrade |
| Reported dose | 200–300 mcg | 1–2 mg |
| Frequency | pre-bed | 1-2x weekly |
| Half-life | ~10-20 minutes | ~6-8 days |
| Routes | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Tracked outcomes | Body Composition, Muscle Growth, Sleep Quality | Body Composition, Muscle Growth, Sleep Quality, Joint & Tendon Health |
| Contraindications | active malignancy, pregnancy | active malignancy, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes |
Which has more behind it
Sermorelin carries the stronger evidence grade (C) against CJC-1295 (DAC) at D, which means more of what is claimed for Sermorelin has been tested in humans. Both entries link through to the full reference, where the trial list and citations for each claim are set out in full.
Full Sermorelin reference · Full CJC-1295 (DAC) reference
At a glance
| Compound | Grade | Reported dose | Half-life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sermorelin | Cgrade | 200–300 mcg · pre-bed | ~10-20 minutes |
| CJC-1295 (DAC) | Dgrade | 1–2 mg · 1-2x weekly | ~6-8 days |
Frequently asked questions
Sermorelin or CJC-1295 (DAC), which has better evidence?
Sermorelin carries the stronger evidence grade (C) against CJC-1295 (DAC) at D, which means more of what is claimed for Sermorelin has been tested in humans.
Can Sermorelin and CJC-1295 (DAC) be used together?
The catalog does not list Sermorelin and CJC-1295 (DAC) as a common pairing. Combining compounds does not combine their evidence.
What doses are reported for Sermorelin?
Published protocols report 200–300 mcg, pre-bed. This is what the literature describes, not a recommendation.
References
- Khorram GHRH(1-29) body composition study · Khorram O, et al. · 1997
- Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295 · Teichman SL, et al. · 2006
- Teichman SL, 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;91(3):799-805. · Hoffmann P, Feige JJ, Alfaidy N · 2006
- Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects. · Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA et al. · 2009
- Jette L, et al. Human Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor (hGRF)1-29-Albumin Bioconjugates Activate the GRF Receptor on the Anterior Pituitary in Rats: Identification of CJC-1295 as a Long-Lasting GRF Analog. Endocrinology. 2005. · Chung S, Son GH, Park SH, Park E, Lee KH, Geum D, Kim K · 2005
- Alba M, et al. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2006. · Zaidi D, James KA, Wagner GF · 2006
- Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. · Ionescu M, Frohman LA · 2006
- Substances in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
- Ionescu M, Bhopale G. Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 2009. · Nummenmaa L, Calder AJ · 2009
- The study of doping market: How to produce intelligence from Internet forums. · Pineau T, Schopfer A, Grossrieder L et al. · 2016
- [PDF] December 4, 2024 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee ... · 2024
- Thomas A, et al. Identification of CJC-1295, a growth-hormone-releasing peptide, in an unknown pharmaceutical preparation. Drug Testing and Analysis. 2011. · Chiaretti A, Ruggiero A, Barbi E, Pierri F, Maurizi P, Fantacci C, Bersani G, Riccardi R · 2011