Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptides.
- CJC-1295/Ipamorelin blend vial (5mg/5mg, 3mL vial)
- 2mL bacteriostatic (BAC) water
- Alcohol swabs
- U-100 insulin syringes (29-31 gauge, 0.5mL or 1mL)
- Clean the tops of both the peptide vial and BAC water vial with alcohol swabs
- Draw 2mL of BAC water into a syringe
- Inject slowly -- aim the stream down the inside wall of the vial, not directly onto the powder
- Do not shake -- swirl gently or let it sit for a few minutes until fully dissolved
- Label the vial with the date of reconstitution and concentration
With 2mL BAC water added to a 5mg/5mg vial:
- Total peptide: 10,000mcg in 2mL
- Concentration: 5,000mcg/mL (2,500mcg CJC + 2,500mcg Ipam per mL)
- Per unit (U-100 syringe): 50mcg (25mcg CJC + 25mcg Ipam)
| Units | Total mcg | CJC-1295 | Ipamorelin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2u | 100mcg | 50mcg | 50mcg | Low / starter dose |
| 4u | 200mcg | 100mcg | 100mcg | Conservative dose |
| 6u | 300mcg | 150mcg | 150mcg | Standard dose |
| 8u | 400mcg | 200mcg | 200mcg | Higher dose |
| 10u | 500mcg | 250mcg | 250mcg | Upper range |
Standard protocol: 6 units (300mcg) subcutaneously, once daily before bed on an empty stomach (2+ hours fasted). Inject into lower belly fat, rotating injection sites.
Vial duration: 10,000mcg / 300mcg per dose = ~33 doses per vial.
| State | Storage | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Unreconstituted powder | Room temperature or refrigerated | Up to 2 years (check expiry) |
| Reconstituted with BAC water | Refrigerator (36-46F / 2-8C) | 4-6 weeks |
| Long-term reconstituted | Freezer (-4F / -20C) | Up to 6 months (avoid repeated freeze/thaw) |
- Never leave reconstituted peptide at room temperature -- peptides degrade rapidly with heat
- Protect from light -- store in original box or wrap vial in foil
- BAC water preserves sterility -- do not substitute sterile water (which has no preservative and must be used within 48 hours)
- Discard if solution becomes cloudy, discolored, or has visible particles
GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) desensitization is well-documented:
- Receptors begin downregulating within 8-14 days of continuous stimulation (animal studies)
- Elevated GH directly inhibits GHS-R mRNA expression in the pituitary -- a negative feedback loop
- Without breaks, reduced effectiveness is commonly reported by weeks 8-12
- CJC-1295 (no DAC) has a short half-life (~30 min to 2 hours), so the 2-day break allows meaningful receptor resensitization
| Level | Pattern | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-cycle | 5 days on / 2 days off (weekly) | Prevents receptor downregulation |
| Macro-cycle | 60-90 days on / 30 days off | Full receptor resensitization |
| Annual | 3-4 macro-cycles per year | Long-term sustainability |
Continuous daily dosing leads to measurable receptor desensitization. The 5-on/2-off micro-cycle is supported by:
- Receptor pharmacology (G-protein-coupled receptor kinases phosphorylate and internalize overstimulated receptors)
- Clinical peptide therapy consensus across multiple practices
- Patient-reported loss of effectiveness with continuous protocols
No head-to-head RCTs exist comparing continuous vs cycled protocols, but the mechanistic evidence and clinical consensus are strong.
| Topic | Evidence Type | Confidence | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptor desensitization timeline | Animal + mechanistic | High | 8-14 days to weeks, feedback-mediated |
| 5on/2off effectiveness | Clinical consensus + mechanism | Medium-High | Prevents desensitization vs continuous use |
| Continuous vs cycled (clinical) | Literature gap | Medium | Limited trials; mechanism supports cycling |
| Clinic protocol consensus | Peptide clinic protocols | High | Strong consensus on cycling |
| DAC vs no DAC | Pharmacokinetic data | High | No DAC requires cycling; preferred for long-term use |
| With DAC | Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) | |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | 6-8 days | 30 min - 2 hours |
| Dosing | 1-2x per week | Daily |
| Cycling need | Less critical (long half-life self-spaces) | Essential (5on/2off) |
| GH pattern | Sustained elevation | Pulsatile (mimics natural rhythm) |
| Long-term preference | Higher desensitization risk | Better receptor preservation |
CJC-1295 without DAC is generally preferred for long-term use because its short half-life enables physiologic pulsatile GH release when properly cycled.
- GH secretagogues work through the body's own feedback system (unlike exogenous GH), preventing supra-physiologic levels
- Most documented side effect: decreased insulin sensitivity -- monitor fasting glucose
- Long-term safety data is limited; a 2017 PMC review called for further evaluation of cancer incidence and mortality
- Recommended bloodwork: Baseline IGF-1 and fasting glucose before starting, recheck at 30 and 60 days
- GHS-R mRNA suppression by elevated GH: PubMed 10830294
- GH secretagogue safety review: PMC 5632578
- Pulsatile vs continuous GH dynamics: PMC 3652074
- Ipamorelin chronic treatment in vivo: ResearchGate
- GH secretagogue use in sport review: Oxford Academic