What is the difference between hexarelin and CJC-1295?

They act on two different receptors on two different arms of the same growth-hormone axis. Hexarelin is a growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) - a ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that amplifies the GH pulse and, unusually, also binds the CD36 scavenger receptor implicated in cardiac research. CJC-1295 is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue that acts upstream on the GHRH receptor of pituitary somatotrophs to drive GH synthesis and release. In the research literature they are described as complementary levers on the same axis, not direct substitutes.

Is hexarelin more potent than CJC-1295?

On acute GH-release potency, hexarelin is described in the literature as one of the strongest GHRP-class secretagogues - but that potency comes with faster receptor desensitisation (tachyphylaxis) and less selectivity, so sustained-signal studies report diminishing response. CJC-1295 is not measured on the same axis: its distinguishing feature is duration, especially the DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) variant that binds albumin for a multi-day half-life. Potency and duration are different properties, which is one reason GHRH + GHRP pairs are co-studied.

What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and no DAC?

The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification lets CJC-1295 bind covalently to blood albumin, extending its half-life to roughly 6-8 days and producing a sustained elevation of GH/IGF-1 in the research literature - a 'GH bleed'. CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29) keeps the tetra-substituted, protease-resistant backbone but has a short half-life of roughly 30 minutes, so it is studied for a more pulsatile, physiological signal. New-U supplies both as separate research-grade reagents.

Are hexarelin and CJC-1295 banned in sport?

Yes. Both are on the WADA Prohibited List under S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors and mimetics - GH secretagogues and GHRH analogues) and are prohibited at all times in tested sport. They are also research-use-only compounds, not licensed medicines for human use.

How-to guides

Hexarelin vs CJC-1295: GHSR/CD36 Potency vs GHRH-R Signalling

Quick answer: hexarelin and CJC-1295 are not rivals so much as two ends of the same growth-hormone axis. Hexarelin is a ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist - a potent GH-releasing peptide that also uniquely engages the CD36 receptor studied in cardiac models. CJC-1295 is a GHRH-receptor analogue that acts upstream on the pituitary, with its defining trait being duration (the DAC variant lasts days). In the literature the two are usually described as a complementary GHRH + GHRP pair , not an either/or. Both are supplied by New-U for laboratory research only - not for human use, and both are WADA-prohibited.

The Two-Sentence Summary

Hexarelin works on the ghrelin arm of GH control (amplify the pulse, blunt somatostatin) and carries a distinctive CD36-mediated cardiac research signal. CJC-1295 works on the GHRH arm (drive synthesis and release at the somatotroph), and its whole design story is about how long the signal lasts - the difference between the no-DAC and DAC versions.

The Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Hexarelin CJC-1295 Peptide class GHRP (growth-hormone-releasing peptide) / ghrelin mimetic GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) analogue Structure Synthetic hexapeptide (6 amino acids) Modified GHRH(1-29); no-DAC or DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) variant Primary receptor Ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a (+ CD36 scavenger receptor) GHRH receptor GHRH-R on pituitary somatotrophs Mechanism arm Amplifies the GH pulse, suppresses somatostatin tone Drives GH synthesis & release upstream Acute GH potency Very high (one of the stronger GHRP-class releasers) Modest alone; designed to sustain, not spike Half-life Short (roughly minutes) No-DAC ~30 min; DAC ~6-8 days (albumin-bound) Desensitisation Notable tachyphylaxis with sustained signalling Slower; the DAC "GH bleed" is the design trade-off Distinctive research angle CD36 cardioprotection / anti-fibrotic models (GH-independent) Sustained IGF-1 elevation; long-acting GHRH pharmacology Selectivity note Less selective - cortisol/prolactin rise reported GHRH-pathway selective; commonly paired with a GHRP WADA status Prohibited (S2) Prohibited (S2) Research-grade reagent Hexarelin CJC-1295 (no-DAC) · CJC-1295 (DAC)

Hexarelin: The Ghrelin Arm (and the CD36 Surprise)

Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide in the GHRP family. Its primary action is at the ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a - the same receptor the stomach hormone ghrelin uses - where it amplifies the pituitary's GH pulse and reduces the braking action of somatostatin. On raw acute GH-release potency the GHRP class is described in the literature as strong, and hexarelin sits near the top of it.

The interesting part - and the reason it keeps its own research niche - is a second receptor : CD36 , a scavenger receptor expressed in heart and vascular tissue. A body of pre-clinical work links hexarelin's CD36 engagement to cardioprotective and anti-fibrotic effects that appear to be independent of growth hormone . That is what makes the "hexarelin vs CJC-1295" comparison more than a potency contest: hexarelin carries a cardiac-signalling storyline that CJC-1295 simply does not have.

Hexarelin's affinity for CD36, distinct from its GHS-R1a activity, is the mechanistic basis for the cardiovascular effects reported in pre-clinical models - an action that does not depend on GH release.

The trade-off is selectivity and durability. Hexarelin is less selective than a "clean" GHRP such as ipamorelin - modest cortisol and prolactin rises are reported - and sustained signalling drives receptor desensitisation (tachyphylaxis), so the response fades. That desensitisation behaviour is covered in more depth in our hexarelin vs ipamorelin comparison.

CJC-1295: The GHRH Arm (and the DAC Duration Story)

CJC-1295 is an analogue of GHRH , the body's own growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It acts one step upstream of hexarelin - on the GHRH receptor of the pituitary somatotrophs - to promote GH synthesis and release. The backbone carries four amino-acid substitutions that resist enzymatic breakdown, which is why even the "short" version outlasts native GHRH.

CJC-1295's real design axis is duration , and this is where the two variants diverge:

CJC-1295 no-DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29 ): the protease-resistant backbone with a half-life of roughly 30 minutes . Studied for a shorter, more pulse-like GHRH signal that mirrors physiology.

CJC-1295 with DAC : adds a Drug Affinity Complex that binds covalently to blood albumin, stretching the half-life to roughly 6-8 days . This produces the sustained "GH bleed" - a continuous low-level elevation rather than discrete pulses.

Because CJC-1295 targets the GHRH pathway and hexarelin targets the ghrelin pathway, the two mechanisms stack additively in research models - which is exactly why the field pairs a GHRH analogue with a GHRP so often (the canonical example being CJC-1295 with ipamorelin; see our CJC-1295 & ipamorelin research guide).

Why "vs" Is Partly the Wrong Frame

Search intent treats these as competitors, but the pharmacology treats them as two levers on one system :

Different receptors. GHS-R1a/CD36 (hexarelin) vs GHRH-R (CJC-1295) - no overlap, so no redundancy.

Different jobs. Hexarelin amplifies and disinhibits the pulse; CJC-1295 supplies the upstream releasing signal (and, with DAC, sustains it).

Different failure modes. Hexarelin's limiter is desensitisation; CJC-1295-DAC's is the non-physiological continuous elevation.

Complementary in the literature. GHRH + GHRP combinations are the most-studied secretagogue pairing precisely because the arms are additive.

So the honest "which is better" answer depends entirely on the research question: a study of cardiac CD36 signalling points to hexarelin; a study of sustained GHRH-axis pharmacology points to CJC-1295-DAC; a study of pulsatile GH release points to CJC-1295 no-DAC, often alongside a GHRP.

Side-Effect & Handling Notes (Research Context)

Hexarelin : reduced selectivity means cortisol/prolactin elevation is reported; tachyphylaxis limits sustained-signal designs.

CJC-1295-DAC : the multi-day half-life means the elevation is hard to "switch off", which is a design consideration in any protocol modelling.

Both are lyophilised powders reconstituted with bacteriostatic water; see our reconstitution guide and storage guide for handling.

The only signal that separates a defensible vial from a counterfeit is a per-batch Certificate of Analysis - how to read a COA.

Status check. Hexarelin and CJC-1295 are research-use-only compounds, not licensed medicines - New-U supplies them as laboratory reagents only, not for human or veterinary use, and nothing here is dosing guidance or medical advice. Both are on the WADA Prohibited List (S2) and banned at all times in tested sport. Doses referenced in the literature are described for context only, never as a protocol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hexarelin or CJC-1295 stronger? On acute GH release, hexarelin is the more potent single agent - but that is not the axis CJC-1295 is built for. CJC-1295's distinguishing property is duration, especially the DAC variant. They measure different things, which is why the literature pairs them rather than ranking them.

Can hexarelin and CJC-1295 be studied together? They hit separate receptors (ghrelin vs GHRH), so their effects are additive in research models - a GHRH + GHRP combination. In practice the more common pairing is CJC-1295 with a cleaner GHRP such as ipamorelin, because hexarelin's cortisol/prolactin activity and desensitisation complicate sustained designs.

What is the CD36 receptor and why does it matter here? CD36 is a scavenger receptor found in cardiac and vascular tissue. Hexarelin binds it independently of its GH-releasing action, which is the basis for the cardioprotective and anti-fibrotic effects seen in pre-clinical cardiac models. CJC-1295 has no comparable CD36 storyline.

Should I choose the DAC or no-DAC CJC-1295? That is a research-design decision, not a recommendation. No-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is studied for a short, pulse-like GHRH signal; DAC is studied for a sustained multi-day elevation. New-U stocks both as separate reagents so the design choice stays with the researcher.

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Hexarelin vs CJC-1295: GHSR/CD36 Potency vs GHRH-R Signalling

The Two-Sentence Summary

The Side-by-Side Comparison

Hexarelin: The Ghrelin Arm (and the CD36 Surprise)

CJC-1295: The GHRH Arm (and the DAC Duration Story)

Why "vs" Is Partly the Wrong Frame

Side-Effect & Handling Notes (Research Context)

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

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Hexarelin & CJC-1295, Lab-Verified.

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