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AI comparison summary

Biggest differences across CJC-1295 · Tesamorelin · Ipamorelin

Focused on evidence grade, pharmacokinetics, and risks/interactions — with inline citations to the primary references on each peptide page.

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CJC-1295

Grade BGrowth Hormone

Overview

Evidence grade: Grade B
Category: Growth Hormone
Primary focus: Long-acting GHRH analogue
Summary: Used in research and off-label protocols to amplify endogenous growth hormone pulses. Often paired with a ghrelin mimetic like Ipamorelin for synergistic GH release.

Mechanism

Mechanism of action: Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.
Evidence explainer: Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.

Pharmacokinetics

Route: Subcutaneous injection
Half-life: ~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC)
PK notes: CJC-1295 is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC). Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Weekly) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.

Administration

Typical dose: 1–2 mg (with DAC)
Frequency: Weekly
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles
Timing: Evening, fasted
Protocol steps: Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 1–2 mg (with DAC), Weekly.
Timing: Evening, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible.
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating.
Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.

Benefits

Reported benefits: Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1
Improved sleep depth (slow-wave sleep)
Reported body composition improvements
Common stacks: Ipamorelin, Resistance training, Adequate protein

Risks

Side effects: Water retention
Numbness/tingling
Elevated fasting glucose
Injection site reactions
Contraindications: Active malignancy
Diabetic retinopathy
Pregnancy
Interactions: Insulin — GH antagonizes insulin; monitor glucose.
Corticosteroids — Blunt GH response.
Legal status: Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

Tesamorelin

Grade AGrowth Hormone

Overview

Evidence grade: Grade A
Category: Growth Hormone
Primary focus: Visceral fat, growth hormone axis
Summary: The most rigorously evidenced peptide on this site, and the only one here approved by a major regulator. FDA-approved in 2010 as Egrifta for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, on the back of phase 3 trials showing a 15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue against placebo. Everything outside that indication — the anti-ageing and body-composition uses it is sold for — is extrapolation from a population that is not you.

Mechanism

Mechanism of action: A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.
Evidence explainer: Grade A — supported by multiple randomised human trials or an approved regulatory indication. Mechanism, dosing and safety are well characterised in humans.

Pharmacokinetics

Route: Subcutaneous injection
Half-life: ~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours
PK notes: Tesamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Once daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.

Administration

Typical dose: 2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation)
Frequency: Once daily
Cycle length: 26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping
Timing: Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse
Protocol steps: Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation), Once daily.
Timing: Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible.
Cycle length: 26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating.
Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.

Benefits

Reported benefits: 15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue versus placebo in phase 3 trials
Improved triglycerides and cholesterol alongside the fat loss
Raises IGF-1 without the supraphysiological spikes of exogenous growth hormone
Does not reduce subcutaneous fat, which is metabolically less harmful
Common stacks: Zone 2 cardio, Resistance training, Regular HbA1c and IGF-1 monitoring

Risks

Side effects: Injection site reactions, the commonest complaint in trials
Joint pain and peripheral oedema, both dose-related and GH-mediated
Raised blood glucose and reduced insulin sensitivity — monitor if prediabetic
Carpal tunnel symptoms at higher exposures
Contraindications: Active malignancy — growth hormone is mitogenic and IGF-1 is a growth signal
Pituitary disease, pituitary surgery or head irradiation
Pregnancy and lactation
Diabetic retinopathy
Interactions: Insulin and sulfonylureas — Tesamorelin worsens insulin sensitivity; glycaemic control may need adjusting.
Corticosteroids — Blunt the GH response and add their own metabolic burden.
GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Same receptor. Stacking adds risk, not effect.
Legal status: FDA-approved as Egrifta and Egrifta SV/WR for HIV-associated lipodystrophy only, and prescription-only. Use for body composition or anti-ageing is off-label. Material sold online as research-grade tesamorelin is not the approved product and carries no purity guarantee.

Ipamorelin

Grade BGrowth Hormone

Overview

Evidence grade: Grade B
Category: Growth Hormone
Primary focus: Selective GH secretagogue
Summary: Frequently combined with CJC-1295 to mimic physiological GH pulsatility. Cleaner side-effect profile than GHRP-2/6.

Mechanism

Mechanism of action: Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.
Evidence explainer: Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.

Pharmacokinetics

Route: Subcutaneous injection
Half-life: ~2 hours
PK notes: Ipamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~2 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (1–3× daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.

Administration

Typical dose: 200–300 mcg
Frequency: 1–3× daily
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles
Timing: Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted
Protocol steps: Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 200–300 mcg, 1–3× daily.
Timing: Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible.
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating.
Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.

Benefits

Reported benefits: Selective GH pulse without cortisol elevation
Improved recovery and sleep quality
Minimal appetite stimulation
Common stacks: CJC-1295, Resistance training, Casein pre-bed

Risks

Side effects: Mild head rush
Transient flushing
Injection site reaction
Contraindications: Active malignancy
Pregnancy
Uncontrolled diabetes
Interactions: GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Synergistic GH release.
Somatostatin analogues — Antagonistic — avoid combination.
Legal status: Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

Attribute	CJC-1295 Grade BGrowth Hormone	Tesamorelin Grade AGrowth Hormone	Ipamorelin Grade BGrowth Hormone
Overview
Evidence grade	Grade B	Grade A	Grade B
Category	Growth Hormone	Growth Hormone	Growth Hormone
Primary focus	Long-acting GHRH analogue	Visceral fat, growth hormone axis	Selective GH secretagogue
Summary	Used in research and off-label protocols to amplify endogenous growth hormone pulses. Often paired with a ghrelin mimetic like Ipamorelin for synergistic GH release.	The most rigorously evidenced peptide on this site, and the only one here approved by a major regulator. FDA-approved in 2010 as Egrifta for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, on the back of phase 3 trials showing a 15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue against placebo. Everything outside that indication — the anti-ageing and body-composition uses it is sold for — is extrapolation from a population that is not you.	Frequently combined with CJC-1295 to mimic physiological GH pulsatility. Cleaner side-effect profile than GHRP-2/6.
Mechanism
Mechanism of action	Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.	A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.	Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.
Evidence explainer	Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.	Grade A — supported by multiple randomised human trials or an approved regulatory indication. Mechanism, dosing and safety are well characterised in humans.	Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.
Pharmacokinetics
Route	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection
Half-life	~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC)	~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours	~2 hours
PK notes	CJC-1295 is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC). Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Weekly) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.	Tesamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Once daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.	Ipamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~2 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (1–3× daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.
Administration
Typical dose	1–2 mg (with DAC)	2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation)	200–300 mcg
Frequency	Weekly	Once daily	1–3× daily
Cycle length	8–12 week cycles	26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping	8–12 week cycles
Timing	Evening, fasted	Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse	Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted
Protocol steps	Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 1–2 mg (with DAC), Weekly. Timing: Evening, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible. Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating. Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.	Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation), Once daily. Timing: Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible. Cycle length: 26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating. Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.	Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 200–300 mcg, 1–3× daily. Timing: Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible. Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating. Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.
Benefits
Reported benefits	Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 Improved sleep depth (slow-wave sleep) Reported body composition improvements	15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue versus placebo in phase 3 trials Improved triglycerides and cholesterol alongside the fat loss Raises IGF-1 without the supraphysiological spikes of exogenous growth hormone Does not reduce subcutaneous fat, which is metabolically less harmful	Selective GH pulse without cortisol elevation Improved recovery and sleep quality Minimal appetite stimulation
Common stacks	Ipamorelin, Resistance training, Adequate protein	Zone 2 cardio, Resistance training, Regular HbA1c and IGF-1 monitoring	CJC-1295, Resistance training, Casein pre-bed
Risks
Side effects	Water retention Numbness/tingling Elevated fasting glucose Injection site reactions	Injection site reactions, the commonest complaint in trials Joint pain and peripheral oedema, both dose-related and GH-mediated Raised blood glucose and reduced insulin sensitivity — monitor if prediabetic Carpal tunnel symptoms at higher exposures	Mild head rush Transient flushing Injection site reaction
Contraindications	Active malignancy Diabetic retinopathy Pregnancy	Active malignancy — growth hormone is mitogenic and IGF-1 is a growth signal Pituitary disease, pituitary surgery or head irradiation Pregnancy and lactation Diabetic retinopathy	Active malignancy Pregnancy Uncontrolled diabetes
Interactions	Insulin — GH antagonizes insulin; monitor glucose. Corticosteroids — Blunt GH response.	Insulin and sulfonylureas — Tesamorelin worsens insulin sensitivity; glycaemic control may need adjusting. Corticosteroids — Blunt the GH response and add their own metabolic burden. GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Same receptor. Stacking adds risk, not effect.	GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Synergistic GH release. Somatostatin analogues — Antagonistic — avoid combination.
Legal status	Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.	FDA-approved as Egrifta and Egrifta SV/WR for HIV-associated lipodystrophy only, and prescription-only. Use for body composition or anti-ageing is off-label. Material sold online as research-grade tesamorelin is not the approved product and carries no purity guarantee.	Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

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