GH pulse stack: CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Amplify natural growth-hormone pulses for lean mass, sleep and recovery.
The GH pulse stack pairs CJC-1295 without DAC (100 mcg, one to three times daily) with ipamorelin (100–200 mcg, matched to each CJC dose), injected subcutaneously on an empty stomach. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog and ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist, so together they push the same pulse from two directions — which is why the pairing is the default GH protocol rather than either compound alone. Typical practice is five days on, two days off, for 8–12 weeks, with the last dose 30–60 minutes before bed.
Educational only
This page summarizes published research and community protocols. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to use these compounds. Get baseline bloodwork and work with a licensed clinician first. See our medical disclaimer.
The protocol
| Compound | Typical dose | Frequency | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | 100 mcg | 1–3× daily, subcutaneous, empty stomach | GHRH analog — raises the amplitude of each natural GH pulse. |
| Ipamorelin | 100–200 mcg | Matched to each CJC-1295 dose | Selective GH secretagogue; triggers the pulse without meaningfully raising cortisol or prolactin. |
- Cycle
- 5 days on / 2 days off, for 8–12 weeks
- Timing
- Empty stomach, no fat or carbohydrate for ~2 hours either side; last dose 30–60 min pre-bed
- Route
- Subcutaneous, rotating sites across the abdomen
- Why pre-bed
- It piggybacks on the largest natural GH pulse, which occurs in early deep sleep
- After the cycle
- 4 weeks off before repeating
Who this stack suits
Best for
- Trained lifters chasing lean mass and better sleep-driven recovery
- People over 35 noticing slower recovery between hard sessions
- Anyone who wants GH support without exogenous HGH
Not for
- Anyone with active cancer, or a family history that has not been discussed with a clinician
- People with poorly controlled blood sugar — GH raises insulin resistance
- Beginners with under a year of consistent training; the training is the variable that matters
What the evidence says
What raising GH actually does
GHRH analogs and secretagogues reliably raise growth hormone and IGF-1 in controlled studies — that part is not in dispute. What is far less clear is how much a higher IGF-1 in a healthy, well-fed lifter translates into extra muscle. The measurable body-composition results in the literature come mostly from GH-deficient or older adult populations, not trained athletes.
Why ipamorelin rather than another secretagogue
Older GHRPs such as GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 also raise GH, but they push cortisol, prolactin and appetite along with it. Ipamorelin is the most selective of the group, which is the whole reason it became the default partner for CJC-1295 in these protocols.
Sleep is often the first thing people notice
Deeper sleep in the first week or two is the most consistently reported effect, ahead of any visible body-composition change. It is also the easiest thing to verify objectively with a wearable, which makes it a good honesty check on whether your vial is doing anything at all.
Risks and side effects
- None of these compounds are FDA-approved for muscle building, all are WADA-banned in competition, and research-chemical sourcing means purity is never guaranteed.
- Water retention, tingling hands and carpal-tunnel-like symptoms are the classic signs of pushing GH too high — reduce the dose.
- GH raises insulin resistance; fasting glucose and HbA1c can drift upward over a long cycle.
- Injection-site flushing and head-rush immediately after dosing are common and usually brief.
- Eating fat or carbohydrate around the injection blunts the pulse, which is why timing errors look like 'the peptide did nothing'.
Monitoring
Bloodwork to run
- Baseline IGF-1, fasting glucose, HbA1c and fasting insulin
- Repeat IGF-1 mid-cycle (weeks 4–6) to confirm you are actually in range, not above it
- Full metabolic panel at the end of the cycle
What to track in DoseRoutine
- Each injection time and dose, and whether you were genuinely fasted
- Sleep depth or total sleep time from your wearable
- Morning weight and waist measurement — water retention shows up here first
Frequently asked
- What is the best dose of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin?
- The common protocol is 100 mcg of CJC-1295 without DAC paired with 100–200 mcg of ipamorelin, one to three times per day. Saturation of the GH response is the reason doses stay near 100 mcg rather than climbing — more per injection does not produce a proportionally bigger pulse, it mostly produces more water retention and numb hands.
- Should I inject before bed or in the morning?
- Pre-bed is the single most common choice because the largest natural GH pulse happens in early deep sleep and the injection amplifies it. If you dose multiple times a day, keep one of them 30–60 minutes before sleep and space the others away from meals containing fat or carbohydrate.
- How long should a GH pulse cycle run?
- Eight to twelve weeks on, then about four weeks off, is the usual pattern, often with a five-days-on / two-days-off rhythm inside the cycle. The break exists because the pituitary response is not meant to be held at a ceiling indefinitely, and because it gives you a clean window to see what your baseline looks like again.
- Will this show up on a drug test?
- Yes. Both CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are on the WADA prohibited list at all times, in and out of competition, and GH-secretagogue testing exists. If you compete in any tested sport, this stack ends your eligibility.
Compounds in this stack
Full monographs with doses, evidence quality, interactions and sources.
Other stacks
Keep exploring
Last reviewed 2026-09-22.