CJC-1295 vs Hexarelin vs Ipamorelin
CJC-1295, hexarelin, and ipamorelin are three growth hormone secretagogues that increase GH and IGF-1, but via different receptors and with different side-effect profiles. CJC-1295 acts on the GHRH receptor; hexarelin and ipamorelin act on the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). None are FDA-approved; all are prohibited by WADA in and out of competition. Understanding their differences is essential for any comparative research context.
Side-by-side comparison
| Property | CJC-1295 | Hexarelin | Ipamorelin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism class | GHRH analog with drug-affinity complex (DAC); pituitary GHRH-R agonist | Synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist (ghrelin mimetic); potent but non-selective | Selective GHRP pentapeptide; GHS-R1a agonist with minimal cortisol/prolactin effect |
| FDA status | Not approved — research chemical | Not approved — research chemical | Not approved — reached Phase 2 trials |
| Evidence tier | Tier 3 (small Phase 1/2 human studies) | Tier 3 (small Phase 1/2 human studies; cardioprotection data) | Tier 2–3 (Phase 2 trials for GI motility; Phase 1 for GH) |
| Typical dosing | 1–2 mg/week SC (DAC form); 100 mcg 2–3×/wk without DAC | 100–200 mcg SC 2–3×/day (community-reported) | 200–300 mcg SC 1–3×/day |
| Half-life | ~6–8 days (DAC); ~30 min (no DAC) | ~70 min | ~2 hours |
| Common side effects |
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| Common stacks | Ipamorelin, GHRP-2 | CJC-1295, GHRH analogs | CJC-1295, Sermorelin |
| Approx. cost | ~$40–100 per vial (research vendor) | ~$40–80 per vial (research vendor) | ~$40–80 per vial (research vendor) |
Key differences
- 1
CJC-1295 acts on the GHRH receptor; hexarelin and ipamorelin act on the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) — two distinct pathways that, when combined, produce synergistic GH pulses greater than either alone.
- 2
Hexarelin is the most potent GH releaser of the three but also elevates cortisol and prolactin; ipamorelin is highly selective with minimal cortisol/prolactin co-stimulation, giving it the cleanest hormonal profile.
- 3
CJC-1295 (DAC form) has an ~6–8 day half-life allowing once-weekly dosing; hexarelin (~70 min) and ipamorelin (~2 hr) both require multiple daily injections for sustained effect.
- 4
Ipamorelin has the strongest human clinical evidence of the three — it reached Phase 2 trials for postoperative GI motility — giving it a better characterized human safety profile than hexarelin or CJC-1295.
- 5
All three are banned by WADA as GH-axis secretagogues, prohibited in and out of competition.
Which might be better for…
Maximizing GH pulse amplitude
Hexarelin produces the highest GH peak among the three but at the cost of cortisol and prolactin co-stimulation. For research contexts focused purely on GH secretion magnitude, hexarelin is the most potent single agent. Its cardioprotection data in animal models is also uniquely extensive compared to the other two.
Cleanest GH support profile
Ipamorelin is consistently cited for its receptor selectivity — GH rises while cortisol and prolactin remain near baseline in available study data. This makes it the default choice in community protocols where minimizing hormonal side effects is a priority. Its Phase 2 clinical trial history provides a more robust human safety signal than hexarelin.
GHRH + GHRP synergy stack
CJC-1295 + ipamorelin is the most documented community pairing. CJC-1295 stimulates the GHRH receptor while ipamorelin stimulates GHS-R1a, creating a two-pathway GH pulse reported to exceed either agent alone. This combination is the subject of more community experience reports than any other GH peptide pairing.
Full peptide profiles
CJC-1295
GHRH analog with drug-affinity complex (DAC); pituitary GHRH-R agonist
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Hexarelin
Synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist (ghrelin mimetic); potent but non-selective
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Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP pentapeptide; GHS-R1a agonist with minimal cortisol/prolactin effect
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