CJC‑1295 and ipamorelin
Contents
In short
- CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are two synthetic peptides that make the body release more of its own growth hormone.
- In small studies of healthy adults, CJC-1295 raised growth hormone levels two to ten times, with no serious side effects reported.
- The body kept releasing growth hormone in natural pulses, only at a higher level.
- Ipamorelin was well tolerated in a study with 114 patients.
Fact box
- Type
- Research compound
- Research
- Early human studies
- Sequence
- Ipamorelin: Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
- Other names
- CJC-1295, ipamorelin, GHRH analogue, growth hormone releasing peptide
What is CJC-1295 and ipamorelin?
CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are two different lab-made peptides that both raise the body’s own production of growth hormone.
Growth hormone is released from the pituitary gland, a small gland below the brain. CJC-1295 is a long-acting version of GHRH, the body’s own signal to release growth hormone. It binds to a protein in the blood and therefore works for several days.[1][2]
Ipamorelin works in a different way. It mimics the signal from the hormone ghrelin and was developed by Novo Nordisk in the 1990s. In animal studies it raised growth hormone without raising the stress hormone cortisol.[3]
The amino acid sequence in the fact box comes from PubChem.[4]
What does the research say about CJC-1295 and ipamorelin?
Small studies of healthy adults show that CJC-1295 raises growth hormone levels strongly, with no serious side effects reported. Ipamorelin was well tolerated in patients after bowel surgery.
| Use | Studies | Research |
|---|---|---|
| Growth hormone and IGF-1 in healthy adults (CJC-1295) | 2 studies · RCT | Early human studies |
| Recovery after bowel surgery (ipamorelin) | 1 study · RCT · n = 114 | Early human studies |
RCT means randomised controlled trial. How to read a study
Growth hormone and IGF-1 in healthy adults (CJC-1295)
In a paper with two small placebo-controlled studies in healthy adults, one injection of CJC-1295 raised the level of growth hormone in the blood two to ten times for six days or more. The level of IGF-1, a substance that carries much of the effect of growth hormone, rose 1.5 to 3 times. No serious side effects were reported.[1]
Another small study in healthy men found that the body still released growth hormone in pulses, but from a higher baseline.[2]
Recovery after bowel surgery (ipamorelin)
In a placebo-controlled phase 2 study with 114 patients who had part of the bowel removed, ipamorelin was well tolerated.[5]
Questions and answers about CJC-1295 and ipamorelin
Are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin a natural alternative to growth hormone?
Both are synthetic, but they work by making the body release more of its own growth hormone.
How do CJC-1295 and ipamorelin differ?
CJC-1295 is a long-acting version of the body’s GHRH signal. Ipamorelin mimics the hormone ghrelin. Both raise growth hormone, in different ways.