Growth hormone axis
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
Also known as CJC-1295 no DAC, Mod GRF 1-29
Blend of a GHRH analog and a ghrelin-receptor agonist, marketed to raise growth hormone.
Where the evidence comes from
10 verified records from 6 countries. The number of studies or countries is not proof that CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin works or is safe.
Narrative review: 5 · Animal study: 5
What is known
Editorial summary not yet written.
What remains uncertain
Editorial summary not yet written.
Conflicting findings
Editorial summary not yet written.
U.S. regulatory status (FDA)
Compound
Product or formulation
FDA status
FDA-approved branded drug
Approved indication
Metara availability (compounded formulation)
Research material (research use only)
Source
Last verified
Notes
Approval applies only to the exact finished drug, formulation and indication. A shared active ingredient does not make a compounded version, blend or other use FDA-approved. Pharmacy or research-material availability is not FDA approval.
International regulatory status
Kept separate from U.S. status. The regulator's country is not the same as where studies took place.
No sourced international decisions recorded yet.
Continue your research
These are two different pathways, not two ways to get the same thing. Neither changes the FDA status shown above.
Clinical care
Available through Metara Health
Explore clinician-guided care and available pharmacy options.
EXPLORE METARA HEALTH →Research materials
Available through BioNex Peptides
Explore research-use materials, lot-specific analytical testing and research documentation.
EXPLORE BIONEX →Limitations
Limited early human pharmacology studies; no trials of the blend.
Human clinical evidence (0)
No verified human studies listed yet.
Systematic & narrative reviews (5)
Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications.
Villegas Meza AD, Nocek M, Mitchell BC, Lizarraga M, DeFoor MT, Ruzbarsky JJ, Huard J, Philippon MJ · JBJS reviews · DOI 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.26.00027
This review examines human studies and research relevant to clinical use of injectable peptides in sports medicine. Reproducible randomized evidence of improved knee osteoarthritis symptoms was limited to GLP-1 receptor agonists, mainly through weight loss. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and other experimental peptides had uncertain safety, product quality concerns, and widespread antidoping restrictions.
A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.
Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP · The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness · DOI 10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17773-1
This review examined peptide and peptide-like drug use among recreational and professional athletes and bodybuilders. Clinical evidence supporting these uses is limited, and emerging data highlight potential cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychiatric risks. The review also identified mislabeled or contaminated products, unknown use rates, and poorly defined long-term risks as major concerns.
The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration.
Dominikowski A, Rękoś Z, Olejarz M, Szczepanek-Parulska E, Domin R, RuchaŁa M · Frontiers in endocrinology · DOI 10.3389/fendo.2026.1822475
This review compared clinical evidence with online self-use practices for peptides affecting growth-hormone pathways, including CJC-1295 and ipamorelin. Human evidence ranged from randomized trials to no human studies, leaving performance and body-composition benefits uncertain. Reported adverse effects included hormonal and blood-sugar disturbances, fluid retention, muscle or joint pain, and injection-site reactions.
Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males.
Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, Rivera-Mirabal J, Yu J, Kovac J, Pastuszak AW, Lipshultz LI · Translational andrology and urology · DOI 10.21037/tau.2019.11.30
This review examined growth hormone-stimulating compounds, including ipamorelin and sermorelin, for body composition and symptoms in men with low testosterone or related metabolic problems. The authors describe potential improvements in body composition through growth hormone and IGF-I stimulation. However, they emphasize that clinical evidence in men with low testosterone remains limited.
Immunoaffinity purification of peptide hormones prior to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in doping controls.
Thomas A, Schänzer W, Delahaut P, Thevis M · Methods (San Diego, Calif.) · DOI 10.1016/j.ymeth.2011.08.009
This laboratory methods report describes purifying prohibited peptide hormones, including CJC-1295, from blood or urine samples before mass spectrometry testing for doping control. The method enabled sensitive detection of urinary peptides at physiologically relevant levels, with antibody-based purification supporting reliable analysis.
Laboratory, animal & other research (5)
Growth hormone and growth hormone secretagogue effects on nitrogen balance and urea synthesis in steroid treated rats.
Aagaard NK, Grøfte T, Greisen J, Malmlöf K, Johansen PB, Grønbaek H, Ørskov H, Tygstrup N, Vilstrup H · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · DOI 10.1016/j.ghir.2009.01.001
This animal study compared growth hormone and ipamorelin in rats experiencing steroid-induced tissue breakdown. Both counteracted nitrogen loss and reduced the liver’s conversion of nitrogen into urea, although ipamorelin was less effective under the tested conditions.
Do growth hormone-releasing peptides act as ghrelin secretagogues?
Ahnfelt-Rønne I, Nowak J, Olsen UB · Endocrine · DOI 10.1385/ENDO:14:1:133
This animal study examined growth hormone-releasing compounds in rats and whether the digestive tract contributes to their effects. The compounds accumulated in the stomach, and removing the digestive tract significantly reduced the growth hormone response to GHRP-6. The findings suggest that ghrelin may mediate part of the growth hormone-releasing effect of these compounds.
Growth hormone (GH)-independent stimulation of adiposity by GH secretagogues.
Lall S, Tung LY, Ohlsson C, Jansson JO, Dickson SL · Biochemical and biophysical research communications · DOI 10.1006/bbrc.2000.4065
This animal study compared growth hormone with growth hormone-releasing compounds, including ipamorelin, in mice with deficient or normal growth hormone function. The releasing compounds increased body fat, and increased food intake and leptin in mice with normal growth hormone function. The findings indicate that these compounds increase body fat through mechanisms independent of growth hormone that may include increased feeding.
Methylprednisolone does not inhibit the release of growth hormone after intravenous injection of a novel growth hormone secretagogue in rats.
Malmlöf K, Johansen PB, Haahr PM, Wilken M, Oxlund H · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · DOI 10.1054/ghir.1999.0128
This animal study examined ipamorelin in rats receiving the steroid methylprednisolone. The steroid did not reduce the immediate growth-hormone response to ipamorelin. Repeated ipamorelin administration increased IGF-I, a growth-related hormone, and reduced body-weight loss during recovery from surgery.
Novel orally active growth hormone secretagogues.
Hansen TK, Ankersen M, Hansen BS, Raun K, Nielsen KK, Lau J, Peschke B, Lundt BF, Thøgersen H, Johansen NL, Madsen K, Andersen PH · Journal of medicinal chemistry · DOI 10.1021/jm980197u
This animal and lab study tested compounds developed from ipamorelin using a rat pituitary assay, pigs, and dogs. Researchers made smaller compounds that retained growth hormone-releasing activity in pigs, and most tested compounds showed absorption when given orally to dogs.
Browse worldwide evidence → · Search and filter all CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin studies →
Next steps
Profile last reviewed September 26, 2026. Educational content only. Not medical advice, a dosing protocol or a treatment recommendation.