Comparison
CJC-1295 vs GHRP-2
Side-by-side of CJC-1295 and GHRP-2. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
CJC-1295
CJC-1295 peptide profile: GHRH analog forms (with-DAC ~7-day half-life, no-DAC Mod GRF 1-29 ~30 min), ipamorelin pairing, recovery use, dosing, side effects.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 peptide (pralmorelin, KP-102) is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers pulsatile growth hormone release via the pituitary.
Effects at a glance
CJC-1295
- •GHRH analog that binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs to release endogenous GH
- •DAC variant has ~7 day half-life via albumin binding; non-DAC variant ~30 minutes
- •Teichman 2006 trial showed sustained 2 to 10 fold IGF-1 elevation at 60 to 250 mcg/kg DAC dosing
- •Anecdotal protocols pair non-DAC CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin to mimic pulsatile GH release
- •Side effects: water retention, numbness or tingling at injection site, vivid dreams, transient flushing
- •No completed phase III RCTs; research-use-only and not FDA approved
GHRP-2
- •Hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release within 15 to 30 minutes
- •Strongest appetite signal among GHRPs at standard doses; centrally mediated via NPY/AgRP
- •Produces measurable cortisol and prolactin rise (more than ipamorelin, less than GHRP-6)
- •Approved in Japan as pralmorelin for GH-deficiency diagnostic provocation; not FDA approved
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 300 mcg subcutaneously 2 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach
- •Banned by WADA under S2; detection methods validated in accredited labs
Side-by-side
| Attribute | CJC-1295 | GHRP-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | peptide |
| Also known as | CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 no-DAC, Mod GRF 1-29, tesamorelin analog | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 168 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Dosing frequency | weekly (DAC); 1-3x daily (non-DAC) | 2-3x daily |
| Routes | subcutaneous | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 3 | 0.5 |
| Molecular weight | 3367.83 | 817.97 |
| Molecular formula | C152H252N44O42 | C45H55N9O6 |
| Mechanism | Binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile growth-hormone release. The DAC modification extends plasma residence by tethering the peptide to serum albumin via a maleimide-cysteine bond. | Hexapeptide agonist of the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Suppresses hypothalamic somatostatin tone and stimulates pituitary somatotrophs, producing a pulsatile GH release with secondary cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH elevation. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA |
| WADA status | banned | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Insufficient data; not recommended |
| CAS | 446262-90-4 | 158861-67-7 |
| PubChem CID | 91971820 | 9919072 |
| Wikidata | Q5012154 | Q7235681 |
Safety profile
CJC-1295
Common side effects
- injection-site reactions
- water retention
- numbness or tingling at injection site
- vivid dreams
- transient flushing
- head pressure or mild headache
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- diabetic retinopathy (theoretical)
- history of pituitary tumor
Interactions
- Ipamorelin: synergistic GH release; commonly co-administered in anecdotal protocols(minor)
- insulin: GH-induced insulin resistance can shift glycemic control over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: blunt GH-axis response; reduce expected efficacy(moderate)
GHRP-2
Common side effects
- acute hunger
- head pressure or flushing
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- tingling at injection site
- transient lethargy
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- severe insulin resistance
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; commonly co-administered for larger pulse(minor)
- sermorelin: additive GH release via parallel GHRH and ghrelin pathways(minor)
- insulin: sustained GH can blunt insulin sensitivity over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: blunt GH response and amplify cortisol load(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
CJC-1295 and GHRP-2 score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is body composition, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is appetite regulation, pick GHRP-2.
Edge case: Half-lives differ materially (CJC-1295 ~168 hr vs GHRP-2 ~0.5 hr). CJC-1295 reaches steady state faster; GHRP-2 is easier to dial in if tolerability is uncertain.
Default choice: either is defensible. CJC-1295 edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; GHRP-2 is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 and GHRP-2?
CJC-1295 and GHRP-2 differ in category (peptide vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, CJC-1295 or GHRP-2?
CJC-1295 half-life is 168 hours; GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack CJC-1295 with GHRP-2?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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