Short answer: GH secretagogues raise your own growth hormone in two ways: GHRH analogs (CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin) mimic the hormone that tells the pituitary to release GH, and ghrelin mimetics (ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6) act on a second receptor. Human evidence is uneven. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (Egrifta) for excess belly fat in HIV lipodystrophy. CJC-1295 has a 2006 study in healthy adults showing GH and IGF-1 rose for days after one shot. Ipamorelin's only published patient trial, for bowel surgery recovery, did not beat placebo. None has trial evidence for anti-aging, muscle gain or fat loss in healthy people.
"CJC/ipa" is one of the most common peptide stacks. It is usually sold as a gentler way to raise growth hormone than taking GH itself. This article explains how these peptides work and then sticks to what has actually been tested in people. It does not give doses.
Two pathways to more growth hormone
- GHRH analogs copy growth hormone-releasing hormone, the brain signal that tells the pituitary to release GH. Examples: sermorelin, CJC-1295 (with or without "DAC," a chemical tag that makes it last longer) and tesamorelin. The Egrifta label describes GHRH as a hypothalamic peptide that stimulates "the synthesis and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone."
- Ghrelin mimetics / GHRPs act on the ghrelin (growth hormone secretagogue) receptor. Ipamorelin is one. It was developed as a five-amino-acid peptide and, in animal studies, released GH without the rise in ACTH and cortisol seen with GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 (Raun 1998). That selectivity is the main reason it became popular. It was shown in rats and pigs, not people.
Because they act on different receptors, the two kinds are often combined. We compare options in ipamorelin vs sermorelin and CJC-1295 with vs without DAC.
Tesamorelin: the one with an FDA label
Tesamorelin (Egrifta) is an FDA-approved GHRH analog. Its label sets clear limits:
- Indication: "reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy."
- Not for weight loss: the label states it "is not indicated for weight loss management as it has a weight neutral effect."
- Trials: two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 26-week studies in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy (412 and 404 patients) measured visceral (deep belly) fat as the main outcome.
- IGF-1 rises a lot: among patients on tesamorelin for 26 weeks, 47% had IGF-1 above 2 standard deviation scores and 36% above 3. The label says the effects of prolonged high IGF-1 "are unknown" and asks for IGF-1 monitoring.
- Blood sugar: elevated HbA1c (6.5% or more) occurred in 5% on tesamorelin vs 1% on placebo by week 26.
- Long-term heart safety "has not been established."
So the best-studied GHRH analog shows a specific effect in a specific patient group, with measurable downsides on IGF-1 and glucose. A 2026 review for sports medicine physicians noted tesamorelin "has no supporting orthopaedic evidence" (Mayfield 2026).
CJC-1295: one controlled study in healthy adults
The key human study of CJC-1295 (the long-acting DAC version) is two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, ascending-dose trials in healthy adults aged 21 to 61, lasting 28 and 49 days (Teichman 2006):
- After one subcutaneous injection, mean GH rose 2- to 10-fold for six days or more, and mean IGF-1 rose 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days.
- The estimated half-life was 5.8 to 8.1 days.
- With repeated doses, IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days.
- No serious adverse reactions were reported in the study.
This shows CJC-1295 raises GH and IGF-1 in people. It did not test body composition, strength, sleep or any health outcome. FDA's compounding safety page, in its list of withdrawn nominations, says it "has identified serious adverse events associated with CJC-1295 including increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reaction" and that "available clinical data are limited."
Ipamorelin: one patient trial, negative
Ipamorelin's only published randomized trial in patients tested it for postoperative ileus (slow bowel recovery) after bowel surgery (Beck 2014). 117 patients were enrolled; 114 were analyzed. They received IV ipamorelin 0.03 mg/kg twice daily for up to 7 days or placebo.
- Median time to first tolerated meal was 25.3 hours on ipamorelin vs 32.6 hours on placebo (p = 0.15, not significant).
- The authors concluded there were "no significant differences" between ipamorelin and placebo on key and secondary outcomes.
- Side effects were common in both groups (87.5% vs 94.8% had any adverse event), as expected after major surgery.
FDA's compounding safety page says a published study "identified serious adverse events including death when ipamorelin was administered intravenously for improving gastric motility," and that FDA lacks safety information for other injectable routes. Ipamorelin acetate also remains in category 2 under FDA's separate 503B (outsourcing facility) policy.
A 2026 review noted that the evidence for CJC-1295 plus ipamorelin on muscle was "limited to animal studies" (Mayfield 2026).
Regulatory and sport status, October 2026
- Tesamorelin: FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV lipodystrophy only.
- CJC-1295 and ipamorelin acetate: listed by FDA among 503A nominations that were withdrawn after being in category 2, with the safety concerns above. They are not on the 503A bulks list. See the 2026 compounding decisions.
- WADA 2026: S2.2.4 bans GHRH and its analogues (naming CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin) and growth hormone secretagogues and mimetics (naming ipamorelin and ibutamoren/MK-677), plus GHRPs such as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, at all times.
What the evidence does not show
- No randomized trial shows these peptides improve muscle, fat loss, sleep, recovery or aging in healthy adults.
- Raising GH and IGF-1 is a lab effect. Tesamorelin's label shows that sustained IGF-1 rises come with unknowns and glucose effects.
- Products sold as "research peptides" are not the products used in these trials. See how to read a COA.
If you track these
Because the main measurable effect is on IGF-1, a baseline IGF-1 and fasting glucose (or HbA1c) before starting, and follow-up values, are the most useful records. Log each injection and its timing, since some people time GH secretagogues around sleep or meals. Dose Track logs each compound separately even when stacked, tracks each vial from reconstitution, and lets you add IGF-1 and glucose results to the same timeline. See also how to track a peptide stack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ipamorelin and CJC-1295?+
CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog: it mimics the brain hormone that tells the pituitary to release GH. Ipamorelin is a ghrelin mimetic that acts on a different receptor. In animal studies ipamorelin released GH without raising ACTH or cortisol.
Does CJC-1295 raise growth hormone in humans?+
Yes, in one 2006 study of healthy adults, a single injection raised mean GH 2- to 10-fold for six days or more and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days. The study did not test body composition or health outcomes.
Has ipamorelin been tested in humans?+
Its main published patient trial gave IV ipamorelin to 114 patients after bowel surgery. It did not significantly shorten time to first tolerated meal compared with placebo.
Is tesamorelin FDA approved?+
Yes, as Egrifta, for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. The label says it is not indicated for weight loss and that it raises IGF-1 and can cause glucose intolerance.
Are GH secretagogues banned in sport?+
Yes. The WADA 2026 Prohibited List section S2.2.4 names CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin, ipamorelin, ibutamoren (MK-677) and GHRPs, prohibited at all times.