Home/Resources/CJC-1295 vs Ipamorelin
At a glance
- CJC-1295 — a GHRH analog studied for prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-1 secretion.
- Ipamorelin — a selective GH secretagogue (ghrelin-receptor agonist) studied for stimulating GH release.
- They act on different receptor systems along the same growth-hormone research axis.
- Both are research compounds; neither is approved for human use and no efficacy is claimed here.
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are often mentioned in the same breath because both are studied in connection with growth-hormone release. But they aren’t two versions of the same thing — they engage different parts of the system. This page explains the distinction and points to the primary research.
What CJC-1295 is
CJC-1295 is an analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). In a published human study, CJC-1295 was reported to produce prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) secretion in healthy adults.[1] Mechanistically, GHRH analogs act on the pituitary’s GHRH receptor to influence GH release.
What Ipamorelin is
Ipamorelin is described in the research literature as the first selective growth-hormone secretagogue — it acts as a ghrelin-receptor agonist to stimulate GH release, and was characterized as having a clean, selective profile in preclinical pharmacology work.[2] It engages a different receptor system than GHRH analogs do.
How they compare
| Attribute | CJC-1295 | Ipamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRH analog | GH secretagogue (ghrelin-receptor agonist) |
| Receptor system | GHRH receptor | Ghrelin / GH-secretagogue receptor |
| Research focus | Prolonged GH and IGF-1 secretion[1] | Selective stimulation of GH release[2] |
| Noted characteristic (literature) | Long-acting GHRH stimulation | Selectivity / clean GH-release profile |
| Regulatory status | Not approved for human use — research compound | Not approved for human use — research compound |
| At Astra Peptides | Available as a standalone research compound | Available as a standalone research compound |
The takeaway: complementary mechanisms, not duplicates. One is a GHRH analog; the other is a secretagogue acting on the ghrelin receptor. Any comparison should respect that they engage the growth-hormone axis from different angles.
Research compounds at Astra Peptides
Both are stocked as standalone research compounds, each shipped with a Certificate of Analysis — read it in the COA Library and see how to read a COA before you buy.
Research use only
This comparison is educational and reflects the cited research literature. All Astra Peptides products are sold strictly for laboratory and research use only (RUO); they are not pharmaceuticals and are not intended for human or veterinary use. Nothing here is a medical claim or dosing guidance.Common questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin?
CJC-1295 is a growth-hormone-releasing-hormone (GHRH) analog studied for its effect on growth-hormone and IGF-1 secretion. Ipamorelin is a selective growth-hormone secretagogue (a ghrelin-receptor agonist) studied for stimulating GH release. They act on different receptor systems and are studied along the same growth-hormone research axis. Both are research compounds, not approved for human use.
Why are CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin discussed together?
Because they target the growth-hormone axis through complementary mechanisms in the research literature, they are frequently compared. This is a structural and mechanistic comparison only; no combined-use, efficacy, or human-use conclusions are implied.
Does Astra Peptides sell CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin?
Yes. Both CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are available as standalone research compounds in the Astra Peptides catalog, each shipped with a Certificate of Analysis. All products are for research use only.
References
- Teichman SL, et al. (2006). Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. PubMed 16352683
- Raun K, et al. (1998). Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. PubMed 9849822
