CJC-1295 (No DAC) vs GHRP-2
CJC-1295 (No DAC) (GHRH analog (short-acting modified GHRH(1-29), aka Mod GRF 1-29)) and GHRP-2 (Growth-hormone secretagogue (GHRP) / ghrelin receptor agonist) are documented as co-studied in the PeptiDex library. This page puts the two entries side by side on class, molecular weight, half-life, origin, mechanism and studied research areas — every value taken from the entry it belongs to.
Why these two are co-studied
Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.
At a glance
| Attribute | CJC-1295 (No DAC) | GHRP-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Compound class | GHRH analog (short-acting modified GHRH(1-29), aka Mod GRF 1-29) | Growth-hormone secretagogue (GHRP) / ghrelin receptor agonist |
| Research category | Growth & GH-Axis | Growth & GH-Axis |
| Length (amino acids) | 29 amino acids | 6 amino acids |
| Molecular weight | Approximately 3368 g/mol | 817.0 g/mol |
| Half-life | Short, on the order of tens of minutes (reported approximately 30 minutes), longer than native GHRH but far shorter than the DAC version | Short, on the order of tens of minutes (reported approximately 30-60 minutes) |
| Origin | CJC-1295 without DAC (commonly called Mod GRF 1-29 or Modified GRF 1-29) is a modified GHRH(1-29) analog carrying stabilizing amino-acid substitutions but lacking the albumin-binding Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) of the full CJC-1295. | GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue. It has been used in Japan as a diagnostic agent for assessing growth-hormone secretory capacity. |
“Not documented” means the PeptiDex entry records no value for that field. Nothing on this page is estimated, and no figure is carried over from one compound to the other.
How CJC-1295 (No DAC) works
This peptide is a GHRH-receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release from the pituitary. Its four amino-acid substitutions on the GHRH(1-29) backbone (e.g. at positions 2, 8, 15, 27) resist DPP-4 degradation, giving it a modestly longer half-life than native sermorelin. Without the DAC group, it does not bind albumin, so it produces short, discrete GH pulses rather than sustained elevation.
How GHRP-2 works
GHRP-2 is an agonist of the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, ghrelin receptor), stimulating pulsatile GH release from the pituitary. It is a potent GH secretagogue and also stimulates appetite via ghrelin-receptor signaling. It can modestly increase ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin, though generally less than GHRP-6 for appetite effects.
Mechanistic descriptions reflect published research-literature understanding and are quoted from each compound's own entry. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.
Where each one appears in the literature
The research contexts each entry documents. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication, and the two lists are not scored against each other.
CJC-1295 (No DAC)
GHRP-2
What sets each apart
CJC-1295 (No DAC)
The absence of the DAC albumin-binding group makes this a short-acting, pulse-generating GHRH analog, in direct contrast to the long-acting DAC version of CJC-1295.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 is a potent GH releaser with an approved diagnostic use in Japan (pralmorelin), and it stimulates appetite, distinguishing it from the more selective ipamorelin.
Frequently asked questions
What is CJC-1295 without DAC?
CJC-1295 without DAC (essentially Modified GRF 1-29) is a synthetic 29-amino-acid GHRH analog with four substitutions (at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27) that resist DPP-IV cleavage. Unlike the DAC version, it lacks the albumin-binding complex, so it is short-acting.
How does the no-DAC version differ from CJC-1295 with DAC?
Both share the same modified GHRH(1-29) core, but the no-DAC form has a half-life of only about 30 minutes and produces discrete GH pulses, whereas the DAC form binds albumin and lasts 6-8 days, giving sustained GHRH tone. The choice shapes whether research models pulsatile or sustained GH output.
Is CJC-1295 no-DAC the same as Modified GRF (1-29)?
Effectively yes. CJC-1295 without DAC and Modified GRF (1-29) refer to the same tetra-substituted GHRH(1-29) peptide; the naming differs by supplier but the sequence and short-acting profile are the same.
What is GHRP-2 (pralmorelin)?
GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone-releasing peptide that activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate pulsatile GH secretion from the anterior pituitary. It is one of the most clinically studied GHRPs and was developed as a diagnostic agent for GH deficiency.
How does GHRP-2 differ from ipamorelin?
Both activate the ghrelin receptor, but GHRP-2 is a stronger GH stimulus that also produces more transient elevation of cortisol and prolactin, whereas ipamorelin is more selective with minimal effect on those hormones. Research design often chooses between them based on whether off-target hormone effects are acceptable.
Does GHRP-2 increase appetite?
Yes, though generally less than GHRP-6. As a ghrelin-receptor agonist, GHRP-2 is reported to modestly increase appetite in the research literature, consistent with the hunger-signaling role of ghrelin.
Answers are the ones published on each compound's own PeptiDex entry. They are educational summaries of research-literature context and are not medical advice.