Comparison
CJC-1295 vs Rapamycin
Side-by-side of CJC-1295 and Rapamycin. 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.
Rapamycin
Rapamycin for longevity: sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor with ITP mouse lifespan data. Off-label geroprotective dosing remains investigational.
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
Rapamycin
- •Inhibits mTORC1 signaling by binding FKBP12, reducing protein synthesis and relieving autophagy suppression
- •ITP mouse program reproduced lifespan extension of ~10 to 25% across multiple genetic backgrounds and sexes
- •Mannick trials showed improved influenza vaccine response in elderly adults using analogs of rapamycin
- •PEARL human trial reported acceptable safety at 5 to 10 mg weekly with some functional and lean-mass signals
- •Common dose-limiting adverse effects include stomatitis, acne-like rash, and mildly elevated lipid markers
- •CYP3A4 substrate: grapefruit, ketoconazole, and clarithromycin substantially raise rapamycin exposure
Side-by-side
| Attribute | CJC-1295 | Rapamycin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 no-DAC, Mod GRF 1-29, tesamorelin analog | Sirolimus, Rapamune |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 168 | 62 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 6 |
| Dosing frequency | weekly (DAC); 1-3x daily (non-DAC) | weekly (longevity protocols); daily for transplant indication |
| Routes | subcutaneous | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 3 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 3367.83 | 914.17 |
| Molecular formula | C152H252N44O42 | C51H79NO13 |
| 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. | Binds FKBP12, and the resulting complex inhibits mTORC1, reducing protein synthesis and autophagy suppression downstream of nutrient and growth-factor signaling. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | Prescription only (off-label for longevity) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status | Rx only (not a controlled substance) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Not recommended |
| CAS | 446262-90-4 | 53123-88-9 |
| PubChem CID | 91971820 | 5284616 |
| Wikidata | Q5012154 | Q410174 |
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)
Rapamycin
Common side effects
- mouth ulcers (stomatitis)
- acne-like rash
- GI upset
- altered lipid panel
- delayed wound healing
Contraindications
- active infection
- severe hepatic impairment
- planned surgery (delayed wound healing)
- pregnancy
- live vaccines within dosing window
Interactions
- strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, clarithromycin, grapefruit): substantially raises rapamycin levels, toxicity risk(major)
- strong CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, St John's wort): lowers rapamycin levels, reduced effect(major)
- ACE inhibitors: increased risk of angioedema(moderate)
- live vaccines: reduced vaccine efficacy due to immunosuppression(major)
Which Should You Take?
Rapamycin comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 2 catalogued goals, prescription-only, 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 post-training recovery, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Rapamycin.
- → If your priority is immune support, pick Rapamycin.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Rapamycin is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Rapamycin. 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 Rapamycin?
CJC-1295 and Rapamycin differ in category (peptide vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, CJC-1295 or Rapamycin?
CJC-1295 half-life is 168 hours; Rapamycin half-life is 62 hours.
Can you stack CJC-1295 with Rapamycin?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper