CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (GH Secretagogue Stack)

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is the most popular growth-hormone secretagogue combination in the peptide community. CJC-1295 (a GHRH receptor agonist, with or without DAC) is paired with ipamorelin (a selective ghrelin-receptor GH secretagogue). Community protocols typically use CJC-1295 no-DAC 100 mcg + ipamorelin 200-300 mcg, 1-2x daily, with the bedtime dose prioritized.

The two peptides have complementary mechanisms: CJC-1295 stimulates growth-hormone release via the GHRH receptor, while ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor. The combination produces a larger GH pulse than either compound alone. Ipamorelin is notable for its selectivity: minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation even at high multiples of the effective GH dose.

However, the combined formulation has never been formally trialed. The pairing has essentially no dedicated human trial data. CJC-1295's human data is a single 2006 phase 1 (Teichman, ~80 subjects, plasma half-life 5.8-8.1 days, 1.5-3x IGF-1 elevation). Ipamorelin's only Phase 2 RCT (postoperative ileus, n=320) failed.

Both remain FDA Category 2 in 2026 and were not on the July 2026 PCAC docket, meaning legal compounded access is unavailable in the US. A Nov 2025 J Sex Med review explicitly flagged underreported efficacy/safety for both compounds.

FDA has flagged immunogenicity risk for both compounds, including potential anaphylaxis. Sustained IGF-1 elevation carries a theoretical risk of promoting occult malignancy. Insulin resistance is a dose-dependent class effect of GH secretagogues that compounds when stacking multiple GH-releasing agents. Water retention, carpal-tunnel-type hand tingling and fatigue are commonly reported, more so with the DAC version. A CJC-1295 trial was reportedly halted historically.

The stack is increasingly promoted as a lean-mass-preserving add-on to GLP-1 therapy, a use with no controlled data.