What is the difference between CJC-1295 (without DAC) and Ghrelin?

CJC-1295 (without DAC): CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is a short-acting GHRH analog that binds and activates pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate brief, pulsatile growth hormone release. Ghrelin: Must be acylated at Ser3 (by GOAT enzyme) for GHSR-1a binding. Receptor activation in the pituitary stimulates GH release; hypothalamic action via NPY/AgRP neurons increases appetite and reduces energy expenditure.

Is Ghrelin FDA approved?

Ghrelin is not evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

How is CJC-1295 (without DAC) administered in research settings?

In research settings, CJC-1295 (without DAC) is typically administered via the subcutaneous route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is Ghrelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Ghrelin is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›CJC-1295 (without DAC) vs Ghrelin

Peptide Comparison

CJC-1295 (without DAC) vs Ghrelin

Name: CJC-1295 (without DAC) vs Ghrelin — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Both are GH / IGF Axis peptides.

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

CJC 1295

Fat LossResearch Only

Half-life: ~30 minutes

454 providers listed

Full CJC-1295 (without DAC) profile →

Ghrelin

acyl ghrelin

PerformanceNot EvaluatedResearch Only

Half-life: ~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)

3 providers listed

Full Ghrelin profile →

Bottom line

Ghrelin carries stronger published evidence (RCT, 5 key studies) than CJC-1295 (without DAC) (RCT, 3); both are research compounds.

Quick Verdict

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

Half-life

~30 minutes

Ghrelin

Half-life

~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Stronger clinical evidence	Ghrelin
Less frequent dosing (longer half-life)	Ghrelin
More provider options (454 vs 3)	CJC-1295 (without DAC)

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

Ghrelin

Mechanism Family

GH / IGF Axis

Half-life

~30 minutes

~24 min (initial), ~146 min (terminal)

FDA Status

nomination withdrawn

not evaluated

Admin Routes

subcutaneous

subcutaneous, intravenous

Availability

Research Only

Providers

454 listed

3 listed

Avail. Notes

GHRH analog — the truncated 1-29 form (Mod GRF 1-29), WITHOUT the Drug Affinity Complex (DAC). No FDA approval; not on the FDA 503A bulks list. WADA prohibited (S2) as a growth-hormone-releasing factor. Sold as a research chemical only.

—

Research Evidence

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

RCT · 3 key studies · most recent 2026

Ghrelin

RCT · 5 key studies · most recent 2026

Research Citations

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

RCT1997 · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)…

RCT1997 · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Effects of [norleucine27]growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (1-29)-NH2 administration on the immune syst…

Review2026 · JBJS Rev

Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Imp…

Ghrelin

RCT2026 · Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken)

A Secondary, Subgroup Analysis of Alcohol Cue-Exposure Craving in Response to Pharmacological Inhibition of t…

RCT2023 · Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Pilot clinical trial of macimorelin to assess safety and efficacy in patients with cancer cachexia

RCT2020 · Growth Hormone & IGF Research

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of macimorelin in healthy adults: Results of a s…

RCT2007 · Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab

Constant intravenous ghrelin infusion in healthy young men: clinical pharmacokinetics and metabolic effects

+1 more

About CJC-1295 (without DAC)

CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is a short-acting GHRH analog that binds and activates pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate brief, pulsatile growth hormone release. Lacking the Drug Affinity Complex, it is not albumin-bound and clears within roughly half an hour, producing discrete GH pulses rather than the sustained elevation of the DAC form.

Research Areas

GH and IGF-1 elevationsustained GHRH receptor agonismbody composition supportrecovery enhancementGH axis restoration

About Ghrelin

Must be acylated at Ser3 (by GOAT enzyme) for GHSR-1a binding. Receptor activation in the pituitary stimulates GH release; hypothalamic action via NPY/AgRP neurons increases appetite and reduces energy expenditure.

Research Areas

GH stimulationappetite stimulationmetabolic regulationmuscle preservation

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

Warnings & Cautions

Active malignancy — caution (GH/IGF-1 is mitogenic)Pregnancy — cautionKnown hypersensitivityGlucose intolerance / insulin resistance

Class-based (investigational)

Suggested Monitoring

IGF-1Fasting glucoseHbA1cInsulin

Research protocols routinely measure IGF-1 to track GH axis activity before and during use. Fasting glucose and insulin are monitored because GH elevation can reduce insulin sensitivity over time.

Regulatory Notes

global — WADA

This compound falls under WADA Prohibited List category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), prohibited at all times for competing athletes.

source

Ghrelin

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.

Used Together?

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

Ipamorelin
Research suggests Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 may produce enhanced growth hormone release effects when combined. CJC-1295 provides sustained GHRH receptor stimulation while Ipamorelin provides pulsatile ghrelin receptor stimulation — complementary pathways studied in GH secretion research.
GLP-1 agonists
Research notes metabolic pathway overlap between growth hormone-releasing peptides and GLP-1 agonists. Both compound classes influence metabolic signaling; limited research has studied their combined effects. Consult your prescriber before combining.

Price (per mg)

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

$8.20/mg

$7.07 – $11.29 range

42 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Ghrelin

Not enough vendor pricing yet.

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

CJC-1295 (without DAC)

454 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Ghrelin

3 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

More GH / IGF Axis Comparisons

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Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). CJC-1295 (without DAC) vs Ghrelin — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved August 26, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/cjc-1295/ghrelin

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