The Sculptique Aesthetics
CJC-1295 & Ipamorelin Dosage Guide: Complete Growth Hormone Protocol (Mumbai 2026)
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin dosage explained — with vs without DAC, exact doses for anti-ageing, body composition and recovery, timing, cycling and the synergistic stack. Medically supervised protocols from The Sculptique Aesthetics Mumbai.
CJC-1295 dosage and Ipamorelin dosage are almost never asked about separately — these two growth hormone peptides are most effective, and most commonly used, together. If you're searching for CJC-1295 dosage, Ipamorelin dose, CJC-1295 with or without DAC, how much CJC-1295 to inject, CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin stack dose, best time to inject CJC-1295, or how long does CJC-1295 take to work, this guide covers every protocol in clinical use.
The Sculptique Aesthetics offers CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin and peptide therapy under medical supervision in Mumbai, Bandra, Khar, Andheri, South Mumbai and across India. All protocols are individualised at consultation — we do not recommend self-dosing.
What are CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin?
CJC-1295: a GHRH analogue
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) — the hormone your hypothalamus uses to signal the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH). CJC-1295 works through the GHRH receptor on pituitary cells, directly stimulating GH secretion.
There are two versions with very different pharmacokinetics:
- CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex): binds to albumin in the bloodstream, giving a half-life of 6–8 days. One or two injections per week create sustained, elevated GH throughout the week.
- CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29): half-life of only 30 minutes. Must be dosed 2–3 times daily for effect; creates pulsatile GH spikes rather than sustained elevation.
The version you have fundamentally changes your dosing schedule. Confusing the two is the most dangerous CJC-1295 dosing error.
Ipamorelin: a GH secretagogue (GHRP)
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates GH release through a different receptor — the ghrelin receptor (GHSR). It mimics ghrelin's signalling, creating acute GH pulses that resolve within 2–3 hours.
Ipamorelin is considered the most selective GHRP available — it stimulates GH with minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation compared to older secretagogues like GHRP-6.
Why CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are combined
CJC-1295 (particularly Mod GRF 1-29) stimulates via the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin stimulates via the ghrelin receptor. These are two separate pituitary pathways converging on the same outcome: GH release. Activating both simultaneously creates a synergistic pulse that is stronger than either peptide alone. This combination is one of the most studied and clinically used GH optimisation protocols in the world.
See CJC-1295 vs Sermorelin and peptide therapy guide for broader context.
CJC-1295 with DAC dosage
Who it's for: patients who prefer twice-weekly injections, sustained GH elevation, and convenience over physiological pulsatility.
| Protocol | Dose per injection | Frequency | Weekly total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 0.5–1 mg | Once weekly | 0.5–1 mg/week |
| Standard | 1 mg | Twice weekly | 2 mg/week |
| Aggressive | 1.5–2 mg | Twice weekly | 3–4 mg/week |
- Cycle: 12–16 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off
- Timing: any time of day (long half-life means timing is not critical); most prefer evening
- With food: food timing doesn't meaningfully affect DAC version absorption
CJC-1295 with DAC is typically used alone or with Ipamorelin dosed separately. However, the extended half-life creates sustained GH elevation rather than pulsatile release — some clinicians feel this is less physiological for long-term use.
CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) dosage
Who it's for: patients who want natural, pulsatile GH physiology, are already injecting daily for other reasons, or specifically want the synergistic Ipamorelin combination.
- Dose per injection: 100–200 mcg
- Most common starting dose: 100 mcg per injection
- Frequency: 2–3 times daily (with each Ipamorelin dose)
- Typical schedule: fasted morning + (optionally) post-workout + pre-sleep
- Weekly total: 1.4–4.2 mg (at 100–200 mcg, 2–3 times daily)
- Cycle: 12–16 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off
Timing is critical for Mod GRF 1-29: administer at least 2 hours after eating (carbohydrates blunt GH release by elevating insulin). Pre-sleep is the most important dose — it augments the body's largest natural GH pulse during deep sleep.
Ipamorelin dosage
- Standard dose per injection: 100–300 mcg
- Most common starting dose: 100–200 mcg per injection
- Frequency: 2–3 times daily, matching CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29) dose times
- Maximum commonly used: 300–500 mcg per injection (advanced users)
- Cycle: 12–16 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off
Ipamorelin timing is critical: always inject fasted — at least 2 hours after a meal or 30 minutes before a meal. Elevated insulin from carbohydrates directly blunts the GH pulse. Pre-sleep administration is the single most impactful dose because it coincides with the body's natural nocturnal GH pulse.
The CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combined stack dosage
This is the most commonly used GH optimisation protocol in clinical practice:
Standard combined stack (most patients)
- CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29): 100–200 mcg per injection
- Ipamorelin: 100–200 mcg per injection
- Both peptides injected simultaneously (can be drawn into the same syringe — both are water-soluble and compatible in solution)
- Frequency: twice daily (morning fasted + pre-sleep) or three times daily (morning + post-workout + pre-sleep)
- Cycle: 12–16 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off; or 5 days on / 2 days off
Conservative / beginner combined stack
- CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29): 100 mcg per injection
- Ipamorelin: 100 mcg per injection
- Frequency: once daily pre-sleep for first 2–4 weeks, then add morning dose
- Good for: first-time peptide users; patients who want to assess GH response before increasing dose
Advanced combined stack
- CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29): 200–300 mcg per injection
- Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg per injection
- Frequency: three times daily
- For: experienced users targeting significant body composition change or anti-ageing
CJC-1295 with DAC + Ipamorelin (less common combination)
- CJC-1295 with DAC: 1 mg twice weekly (for background sustained GH)
- Ipamorelin: 100–200 mcg twice or three times daily (for additional pulsatile peaks)
- Less commonly used — the sustained GH baseline from DAC is somewhat mismatched with Ipamorelin's pulsatile mechanism, but some protocols use this combination
Dosage quick-reference table
| Protocol | CJC-1295 dose | Ipamorelin dose | Frequency | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative (beginners) | 100 mcg (no DAC) | 100 mcg | Once daily (pre-sleep) | 12 weeks on / 4 off |
| Standard combined stack | 100–200 mcg (no DAC) | 100–200 mcg | 2× daily | 12–16 weeks on / 4–8 off |
| Advanced combined stack | 200–300 mcg (no DAC) | 200–300 mcg | 3× daily | 16 weeks on / 8 off |
| CJC with DAC alone | 1 mg | N/A | 2× weekly | 12–16 weeks on / 4 off |
| CJC with DAC + Ipamorelin | 1 mg | 100–200 mcg | DAC 2× weekly; Ipa 2–3× daily | 12–16 weeks on / 4 off |
Reconstitution guide
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin both come as lyophilised powder, typically in 2 mg or 5 mg vials.
Concentration formula: mg/ml = vial mg ÷ ml of water added
| Vial size | Water added | Concentration | 100 mcg dose | 200 mcg dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg | 2 ml | 1 mg/ml (1,000 mcg/ml) | 0.10 ml (10 units) | 0.20 ml (20 units) |
| 5 mg | 2 ml | 2.5 mg/ml (2,500 mcg/ml) | 0.04 ml (4 units) | 0.08 ml (8 units) |
| 5 mg | 5 ml | 1 mg/ml (1,000 mcg/ml) | 0.10 ml (10 units) | 0.20 ml (20 units) |
Can CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin be mixed in the same syringe? Yes — both are water-soluble peptides and are compatible in solution. Many patients draw CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29) and Ipamorelin into the same syringe for a single injection. This is different from TB-500 + BPC-157, which should not be mixed.
Refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2–8 °C, use within 28–30 days, never freeze after reconstitution.
Timing: the most critical variable for GH peptides
GH peptides are uniquely sensitive to insulin levels. Elevated blood glucose and insulin directly suppress GH release. This means:
- Always inject fasted (2+ hours after eating, or 30 minutes before eating)
- Pre-sleep is the most important dose — it amplifies the body's largest natural GH pulse during slow-wave sleep
- Post-workout dose: the second most valuable — GH and anabolic signalling align with tissue repair and adaptation
- Morning fasted: good for metabolic and body composition goals
- Avoid injecting after carbohydrate-rich meals — you'll significantly blunt the GH response
Daily schedule example (3× daily protocol):
- 07:00 — fasted (before breakfast): CJC-1295 100 mcg + Ipamorelin 200 mcg
- 14:00 — post-workout or afternoon fasted: CJC-1295 100 mcg + Ipamorelin 200 mcg
- 22:30 — pre-sleep (2+ hours after dinner): CJC-1295 100 mcg + Ipamorelin 200 mcg
Benefits and goals: who uses CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin?
Anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation
Growth hormone declines approximately 15 % per decade after age 30. Restoring GH pulsatility with CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin supports:
- Collagen and skin thickness (pairs well with GHK-Cu topical)
- Reduced visceral fat and improved body composition
- Improved sleep quality and recovery
- Bone density maintenance
Body composition: muscle and fat loss
GH drives lipolysis (fat breakdown), especially visceral fat, and supports lean tissue preservation. Effects on body composition are cumulative and require 12–24 weeks to become clearly visible — this is not a quick transformation compound.
Recovery and injury repair
GH peptides support tissue repair by stimulating IGF-1 secretion from the liver, which drives protein synthesis. They complement BPC-157 and TB-500 in recovery protocols by providing the anabolic hormonal environment that enhances localised healing.
Sleep and wellness
Many patients' primary subjective benefit is improved sleep quality and general vitality within the first 2–4 weeks — well before visible body composition changes appear.
How long does CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin take to work?
- Sleep improvement: 1–3 weeks
- Energy and wellbeing: 2–4 weeks
- Skin quality: 6–12 weeks (especially when combined with GHK-Cu)
- Body composition change (fat loss / muscle): 12–24 weeks minimum; 16–20 weeks is when most patients see clear measurable results
- Full protocol benefit: 2–3 full cycles
Do not judge body composition results before 16 weeks. Patients who stop at 8 weeks because "nothing is happening" are abandoning the protocol exactly when the cumulative GH effect is beginning to compound.
Cycling: 5-on/2-off vs continuous
Two main cycling approaches are used:
- 5 days on / 2 days off: weekday injections, weekend rest. Maintains receptor sensitivity and reduces long-term pituitary desensitisation. Most popular at The Sculptique Aesthetics.
- 12–16 weeks continuous daily: run straight through, then take a 4–8 week break. Simpler schedule for patients who prefer not to track on/off days.
Neither approach is definitively superior — choose the schedule you'll actually stick to.
Stacking CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin with other compounds
- + GHK-Cu: the most popular anti-ageing stack at our clinic — GH peptides provide systemic regenerative support; GHK-Cu targets skin and collagen directly. See GHK-Cu dosage guide.
- + NAD+: GH peptides + NAD+ IV or supplementation for mitochondrial and cellular anti-ageing support. See NAD+ dosage guide.
- + BPC-157 / TB-500: for patients healing an injury while also pursuing body composition goals. See BPC-157 & TB-500 recovery guide.
When stacking, reduce individual doses by 25 % from standalone protocols initially — the combined GH effect can cause more pronounced water retention or fatigue if full doses of each are stacked without titration.
Common dosing mistakes
- Injecting after a meal. Insulin blunts GH release. Even a modest carbohydrate load 30–60 minutes before injection can reduce the GH response by 50–70 %.
- Using CJC-1295 with DAC on a daily injection schedule. The 6–8 day half-life means daily dosing causes excessive GH elevation. DAC version = twice-weekly, maximum.
- Not cycling. Continuous multi-year use without breaks risks pituitary desensitisation. Take structured breaks.
- Expecting body composition changes in 6 weeks. Collagen synthesis, body fat redistribution and lean tissue changes are cumulative 16–24 week processes. Short-term assessment is meaningless.
- Poor sleep hygiene. CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin's biggest benefit arrives through overnight GH secretion. If sleep is poor or inconsistent, you're working against the mechanism.
Side effects and safety
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are generally well tolerated with fewer side effects than exogenous GH administration.
Common and mild
- Water retention (especially first 2–4 weeks): mild facial puffiness, ankles; reduces with dose adjustment
- Increased hunger: particularly with Ipamorelin — ghrelin receptor stimulation drives appetite. Time doses away from mealtimes if this is troublesome.
- Tingling / numbness in extremities (carpal tunnel-like): GH-related; usually resolves; reduce dose if persistent
- Fatigue or headache: typically first week; resolves
Who should avoid CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
- Active malignancy (GH can promote growth of GH-receptor-positive tumours)
- Poorly controlled diabetes (GH raises blood glucose)
- Acromegaly or pituitary disorders
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Hypopituitarism (paradoxically — requires specialist assessment before GH peptides)
See are peptides safe.
Frequently asked questions
CJC-1295 with DAC: 1 mg twice weekly. CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29): 100–200 mcg per injection, 2–3 times daily. These are the most widely used doses in research protocols and supervised clinical practice.
100–200 mcg per injection, 2–3 times daily, always fasted. Most patients start at 100 mcg and titrate to 200 mcg over 2–4 weeks based on response.
With DAC for convenience (twice-weekly injections), sustained GH elevation and patients not stacking with other daily peptides. Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) for more physiological pulsatile GH release and the best synergistic effect with Ipamorelin. At The Sculptique Aesthetics we determine this at consultation based on your goals and lifestyle.
Yes — both are water-soluble and compatible. Draw Ipamorelin first, then CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29) into the same insulin syringe and inject together. Do not mix CJC-1295 with DAC the same way — it is less stable in combination.
Pre-sleep is the most important dose — it amplifies the natural nocturnal GH pulse. Always inject fasted (2+ hours after eating). Morning fasted and post-workout are secondary timing windows.
Sleep improvement: 1–3 weeks. Body composition: 12–24 weeks minimum. GH peptide protocols require patience — most patients see the most significant results between weeks 16 and 24.
Both are GHRH analogues. Sermorelin has the shorter half-life (~10–20 minutes) and FDA history; CJC-1295 with DAC has the much longer half-life for weekly dosing. At The Sculptique Aesthetics we discuss the nuances at consultation. See CJC-1295 vs Sermorelin.
Ipamorelin has the cleanest GH-selectivity profile of the secretagogues — minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation at standard doses. CJC-1295 acts only on GHRH receptors. Neither significantly affects testosterone, oestrogen or thyroid at clinical doses.
Book your CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin consultation in Mumbai
Growth hormone optimisation through CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin is one of the most evidence-backed anti-ageing strategies available. Done correctly — right dose, right timing, right cycle, right patient — it supports body composition, skin quality, sleep, energy and recovery simultaneously.
Contact us at The Sculptique Aesthetics. We'll determine whether CJC-1295 with or without DAC is right for you, design the complete stack protocol with correct timing, and set realistic timelines for your goals.
Serving patients across Mumbai, Bandra, Khar, Andheri, Powai, Juhu, South Mumbai and international patients travelling to India for medically supervised peptide therapy.
