Comparison
CJC-1295 vs N-Acetyl Cysteine
Side-by-side of CJC-1295 and N-Acetyl Cysteine. 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.
N-Acetyl Cysteine
NAC supplement benefits cover glutathione synthesis, liver and antioxidant support, and hangover recovery. Evidence strongest at 1200-2400 mg/day.
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
N-Acetyl Cysteine
- •Replenishes intracellular glutathione by supplying cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid for synthesis
- •First-line antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, restoring hepatic glutathione before fulminant injury occurs
- •Reduces sputum viscosity in chronic bronchitis and COPD at 600 to 1200 mg/day over months
- •Modest symptom reductions in OCD and trichotillomania at 1200 to 2400 mg/day across small RCTs
- •Mixed evidence for psychiatric adjunct use in bipolar depression and schizophrenia negative symptoms
- •Inhaled forms can trigger bronchospasm in active asthma; oral use is the standard biohacker route
Side-by-side
| Attribute | CJC-1295 | N-Acetyl Cysteine |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | supplement |
| Also known as | CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 no-DAC, Mod GRF 1-29, tesamorelin analog | NAC |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 168 | 5.6 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 1200 |
| Dosing frequency | weekly (DAC); 1-3x daily (non-DAC) | 1 to 3 times daily, split dosing preferred |
| Routes | subcutaneous | oral, iv |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 3 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 3367.83 | 163.19 |
| Molecular formula | C152H252N44O42 | C5H9NO3S |
| 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. | Deacetylated to cysteine, the rate-limiting precursor for glutathione synthesis; also directly scavenges reactive oxygen species and modulates glutamate signaling. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | OTC in most jurisdictions; restricted periods in US history (FDA reclassified 2022) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status | OTC supplement (US, post-2022); Rx indications also exist (acetaminophen overdose, mucolytic) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Used clinically in pregnancy for specific indications; consult clinician |
| CAS | 446262-90-4 | 616-91-1 |
| PubChem CID | 91971820 | 12035 |
| Wikidata | Q5012154 | Q413299 |
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)
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Common side effects
- sulfur-like taste or odor
- nausea
- flatulence
- diarrhea
Contraindications
- active asthma attack (inhaled form can trigger bronchospasm)
- known NAC hypersensitivity
Interactions
- nitroglycerin: potentiates vasodilation, risk of hypotension and headache(moderate)
- activated charcoal: reduces NAC absorption when used for acetaminophen overdose(moderate)
- anticoagulants: theoretical additive antiplatelet effect at high doses(minor)
Which Should You Take?
N-Acetyl Cysteine comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. CJC-1295 is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is body composition, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick N-Acetyl Cysteine.
- → If your priority is liver function, pick N-Acetyl Cysteine.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, N-Acetyl Cysteine is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: N-Acetyl Cysteine. Wider use case, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for CJC-1295 only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns 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 N-Acetyl Cysteine?
CJC-1295 and N-Acetyl Cysteine differ in category (peptide vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, CJC-1295 or N-Acetyl Cysteine?
CJC-1295 half-life is 168 hours; N-Acetyl Cysteine half-life is 5.6 hours.
Can you stack CJC-1295 with N-Acetyl Cysteine?
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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