CJC-1295 DAC + Ipamorelin Stack
| Category | Stacks |
|---|---|
| Also known as | CJC DAC Ipa, Long-acting GHRH Stack |
| Last updated | 2026-04-14 |
| Reading time | 3 min read |
| Tags | stackgrowth-hormoneghrhghrpdac |
Overview
The CJC-1295 DAC + Ipamorelin Stack is the long-acting variant of the classic CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Stack. The "DAC" — Drug Affinity Complex — is a maleimidopropionate group that conjugates CJC-1295 to circulating albumin, extending its half-life from minutes to roughly six to eight days.
This shifts the research framework. Rather than mimicking pulsatile GHRH tone, DAC produces a sustained "GHRH bleed" that elevates baseline somatotroph readiness. Pulsatility is then provided by Ipamorelin, which acts on the ghrelin receptor when administered. The result is a different signaling profile than the no-DAC version — more sustained, less physiologically pulsatile.
Compounds in This Stack
- CJC-1295 with DAC — Albumin-conjugated GHRH analog with multi-day half-life.
- Ipamorelin — Selective ghrelin receptor agonist with minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation.
Rationale
The mechanistic intent here differs from the short-acting stack. With DAC, CJC-1295 provides continuous low-amplitude GHRH receptor stimulation, gradually raising tonic growth hormone and downstream IGF-1 levels. Ipamorelin is then layered on for sharper episodic pulses.
This design is favored when convenience and steady-state IGF-1 elevation are the research priorities. The downside is that sustained GHRH receptor occupancy can attenuate the natural pulsatile architecture of GH secretion, which is biologically important for some downstream effects. Researchers consciously choose this trade-off when sustained signaling is the experimental goal.
Research Context
| Component | Half-life | Signaling Profile |
|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 with DAC | ~6–8 days | Sustained GHRH receptor tone |
| Ipamorelin | ~2 hours | Episodic ghrelin receptor pulses |
The stack is widely discussed in research-supply protocols, with observational reports of elevated baseline IGF-1 within two to four weeks.
Typical Research Parameters
CJC-1295 with DAC is generally administered once or twice weekly to maintain steady-state albumin-bound concentration. Ipamorelin is administered more frequently, often once or twice daily. Observation windows of eight to sixteen weeks are common, with IGF-1 tracked as the primary downstream marker.
Considerations
The principal trade-off is loss of pulsatile fidelity. Continuous GHRH receptor occupancy may reduce the responsiveness of somatotrophs over time, an effect distinct from acute GHRP-6-style desensitization. Researchers prioritizing physiological pulsatility typically prefer the no-DAC variant or Sermorelin-based stacks. The DAC stack is research-only.
Related Stacks
- CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Stack
- [Sermorelin + GHRP-2 Stack](/wiki/sermorelin-ghrp-2-stack)
- MOD-GRF + Ipamorelin Stack
- Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin Stack
- IGF-1 LR3 + MGF Stack
Related Compounds
Related entries
- CJC-1295— A synthetic analog of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) available in two forms — with and without Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) — studied for sustained stimulation of pituitary GH secretion.
- Ipamorelin— A selective growth hormone secretagogue pentapeptide that stimulates GH release from the pituitary with minimal effects on cortisol, prolactin, and appetite compared to other GHRPs.