The most commonly prescribed GH peptide combination in anti-aging medicine. Complete dosing guide, IGF-1 targets, and how to track your results with blood work.
Why This Combination Dominates Growth Hormone Optimization The Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 combination is the most widely prescribed growth hormone peptide stack in anti-aging and longevity medicine, and for good reason: it works by hitting two different biological pathways simultaneously, producing a GH pulse that neither compound can achieve alone. Understanding why requires a brief look at how growth hormone release actually works.
Growth hormone release from the pituitary is controlled by two separate receptor systems:
GHRH receptors respond to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) — the signal that tells the pituitary to release GH in a coordinated pulse. CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analog that binds these receptors.
Ghrelin receptors (GHSR-1a) respond to ghrelin, the "hunger hormone" that also triggers GH release through an entirely separate pathway. Ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin receptor agonist that hits this pathway without the cortisol and prolactin elevation seen with older GHRPs like GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.
When you administer both together: the GHRH signal (CJC-1295) and the ghrelin signal (Ipamorelin) hit simultaneously, producing a synergistic GH pulse significantly larger than either alone. This is why the combination is standard — and why using just one without the other is leaving results on the table.
This is where most new users get confused. Two versions of CJC-1295 exist with very different pharmacological profiles:
CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Modified GRF 1-29 or Mod GRF): Half-life of approximately 30 minutes. Produces a sharp, pulsatile GH release that mimics the natural pattern. Recommended for most users — preserves the physiological pulsatility of GH release.
CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex): Covalently bonds to albumin in blood, extending half-life to 7–8 days. Creates continuous, elevated GH levels rather than pulsatile peaks. Requires only weekly injection but blunts natural GH rhythms.
For anti-aging and performance optimization, CJC-1295 without DAC is generally preferred. For sheer convenience, with DAC works but at the cost of physiological pattern.
Ipamorelin's primary advantage over older GHRPs is its selectivity. It stimulates GH release without meaningfully elevating cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH — the off-target effects that limit usefulness of GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 at higher doses.
This selectivity makes Ipamorelin the preferred GHRP for:
Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg per dose
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100–200 mcg per dose
Frequency: 2–3 times daily, administered fasted
Timing: 30 minutes before meals, or 90+ minutes after eating
The fasting requirement is not optional — insulin suppresses GH release directly. Any significant food intake within 90 minutes of dosing blunts the GH pulse substantially. For most users, the optimal timing is:
Many users start with once-daily at bedtime and add additional doses based on response and budget.
IGF-1 is the primary biomarker to track when running GH peptides. IGF-1 is produced by the liver in response to GH stimulation and reflects cumulative GH exposure better than pulsatile GH measurements.
Typical IGF-1 trajectory on Ipamorelin + CJC-1295:
Target range: upper quartile of age-appropriate reference range. For most adults, IGF-1 of 200–310 ng/mL represents optimal. Exceeding 350 ng/mL warrants dose reduction.
Lab draw protocol: Baseline IGF-1 before starting, recheck at 6–8 weeks. Draw fasting, in the morning. Do not draw within 24 hours of a dose — this measures the post-dose peak, not steady-state.
IGF-1 is one of the primary tracked biomarkers in MyProtocolStack, with optimal range set at 200–310 ng/mL (vs the standard lab range which is wider and not optimized for performance). Enter your draws, log your doses alongside your labs, and StackAI will analyze whether your IGF-1 is responding appropriately to your protocol and flag any concerning patterns in your full panel.
The platform generates personalized insights based on your complete blood work — if your IGF-1 is elevating but your fasting glucose is also creeping up (a known GH-related risk), StackAI will catch it and recommend monitoring.
Most users tolerate Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 well. The most common effects:
Water retention: Mild edema in the first 2–4 weeks is common, especially around the hands and feet. Usually resolves as the body adapts. Dose reduction helps if persistent.
Carpal tunnel symptoms: Tingling or numbness in hands, particularly at night. GH-driven fluid retention in the carpal tunnel is the mechanism. Typically resolves with dose adjustment.
Fatigue/drowsiness: Some users experience afternoon fatigue when dosing during the day. Shifting doses to bedtime-only largely eliminates this.
Hunger: Minimal with Ipamorelin (unlike GHRP-6). Some increase in appetite reported at higher doses.
Protocol duration: Most users run 12–16 week cycles, with an equal off period, though some longevity-focused users run lower doses continuously under physician supervision.
Enter your blood work in MyProtocolStack, run StackAI analysis, and get personalized insights based on your actual numbers — not generic charts.
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