THE SECRETAGOGUES COMPARED
Sermorelin vs. CJC-1295 vs. Ipamorelin — Which Growth Hormone Peptide and Why
By G1 Peptides · Medically reviewed by the G1 Peptides clinical team · Updated September 24, 2026 · 2 min read
THE SHORT ANSWER
Sermorelin and CJC-1295 are GHRH mimics that differ mainly in potency and duration; ipamorelin is a ghrelin mimic that amplifies the pulse without side effects; tesamorelin is the FDA-approved GHRH analog with the strongest evidence for visceral fat. A GHRH mimic plus ipamorelin is the standard pairing, and sermorelin alone remains the gentlest starting point.
The line-up
| Sermorelin | CJC-1295 (no DAC) | CJC-1295 (DAC) | Ipamorelin | Tesamorelin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | GHRH analog | GHRH analog | GHRH analog | GHRP (ghrelin mimic) | GHRH analog |
| Potency | Baseline | Higher | Highest sustained | Amplifier | High |
| Dosing | Nightly | Daily, 1–3× | 1–2× weekly | Daily, 1–3× | Daily |
| Pulsatile | Yes | Yes | Less so | Yes | Yes |
| Typical dose | 200–500 mcg | 100–300 mcg | 1–2 mg | 100–300 mcg | 1–2 mg |
| At G1 | 10, 20 mg vials; Trinity, Wolverine-S pens | in Apex blend | — | 5, 10 mg vials; Apex, Eros X pens | 10 mg vial; TesaTrim, Fragment Apex pens |
Sermorelin
The original GHRH fragment — amino acids 1 through 29, the minimum that activates the receptor. It is short-acting and produces a modest, physiological pulse, which makes it the gentlest option and a common starting point for someone new to GH peptides, older, or sensitive to side effects. It was FDA-approved for pediatric deficiency for years before being withdrawn for commercial reasons, so its human safety record is long. Dosed nightly at 200–500 mcg; the sermorelin calculator converts to units.
CJC-1295
Sermorelin with four amino-acid substitutions that make it resistant to breakdown. The no-DAC form (also sold as Mod GRF 1-29) lasts about thirty minutes — long enough for a stronger pulse than sermorelin, short enough to keep the pattern pulsatile. The DAC form adds a "drug affinity complex" that binds albumin, stretching the half-life to about a week; a single injection raised GH and IGF-1 for six or more days in the original trial (Teichman 2006). That convenience comes at the cost of the natural pulse, and most providers now prefer no-DAC for that reason. G1 uses the no-DAC form in the Apex blend.
Ipamorelin
Not a GHRH mimic at all — it acts on the ghrelin receptor, amplifying whatever GHRH signal is present and suppressing somatostatin. Its distinction is selectivity: unlike GHRP-6 and GHRP-2, it does not raise cortisol, prolactin, or appetite (Raun 1998). Alone it is mild; paired with a GHRH mimic it produces a pulse larger than either alone. Dosed at 100–300 mcg, one to three times daily.
Tesamorelin
A stabilized GHRH analog with the strongest clinical evidence of the group: in controlled trials it reduced visceral abdominal fat by around 15–18% over six months, with improvements in triglycerides, and it is FDA-approved for that use in a specific population (Falutz 2007). It is dosed higher (1–2 mg daily) and costs more. It is the choice when visceral fat is the goal, and it appears in G1's TesaTrim and Fragment Apex pens.
How providers combine them
- GHRH mimic + ipamorelin is the default stack: CJC-1295/ipamorelin (Apex) for most adults; sermorelin/ipamorelin for a gentler version (Trinity adds sermorelin to the CJC/ipa pair).
- Sermorelin alone for the mildest start or for sleep as the main goal.
- Ipamorelin alone for someone who wants a single selective compound.
- Tesamorelin, with or without ipamorelin, when visceral fat or metabolic markers lead.
The protocols article covers timing, cycling, and what to expect month by month.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Can I take ipamorelin alone?
Yes, and some protocols do — G1's Eros X pen is ipamorelin only. The GH pulse is smaller than with a GHRH partner, but it is still a clean, selective stimulus and a reasonable choice for someone who wants the mildest option.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without?
The DAC version is bound to albumin and lasts about a week, giving a sustained GH elevation from one or two injections weekly. The no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) lasts about thirty minutes and preserves the natural pulsatile pattern with daily dosing. Most current protocols — and G1's blend — use no-DAC.
Is tesamorelin better than the others?
It has the strongest evidence, including FDA approval for reducing visceral fat, and it is potent. It is also more expensive and dosed higher. Providers reach for it when visceral fat is the primary goal or when a patient has not responded to the lighter options.
SOURCES
- Teichman SL, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295. JCEM (2006)
- Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology (1998)
- Falutz J, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone–releasing factor (tesamorelin) in patients with HIV. NEJM (2007)
This article is educational and is not medical advice. Peptides are prescription medications; whether any of them is appropriate for you is a decision for a licensed provider who knows your history.