STACK · ◇ Layered protocol · 3 tiers
Performance & Body Composition.
Push your natural GH ceiling — cleanly.
Layered · additive + goal-fork
Hook facts
The science, in one line each.
The combination produces a GH pulse with both an immediate spike AND a sustained elevated baseline — essentially replicating the GH secretion profile of a fit 25-year-old using two injections that cost a fraction of exogenous HGH therapy.
When to skip it
Read this first.
Not appropriate for people under 25, whose natural GH production is still at or near peak and who are unlikely to see meaningful benefit over baseline. Also not suited for anyone with active acromegaly, pituitary disorders, or a personal or family history of pituitary tumours. People with uncontrolled diabetes should consult their physician before using any GH-stimulating compound.
Always cleared with your concierge before protocol start.
Why this works
The strongest evidence.
Tesamorelin is the only compound in this stack with full FDA approval, cleared for visceral fat reduction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. In randomised controlled trials, Tesamorelin reduced visceral adipose tissue by a clinically meaningful margin versus placebo over 26 weeks — the most robust human trial data for any GH secretagogue peptide in this category. This approval validates the underlying GHRH-mediated mechanism for visceral fat reduction in a controlled human context. The CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin pairing is the most widely discussed GH secretagogue combination in clinical performance medicine, supported by convergent preclinical and clinical data on pulsatile GH release, recovery, and body composition. AOD-9604's selective fat-metabolism profile — engineered specifically by removing the IGF-1-stimulating portion of the native GH molecule — makes it one of the few compounds in this space that targets lipolysis without systemic anabolic load.
Layered protocol
Choose your tier.
A layered protocol — most tiers add to the last, with a fork or rotation where the data calls for it.
Sleep & Recovery
Ipamorelin / CJC-1295 Blend
Users who want the core CJC + Ipa protocol with minimal preparation. Ideal for the GH Pulse and Recomp tiers.
CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor and extends your GH pulse; Ipamorelin hits the ghrelin receptor to trigger clean release without cortisol or hunger spikes — two distinct pathways that together amplify the natural nocturnal GH window. This is the most widely used GH secretagogue pairing in performance medicine for good reason: it's the physiological ceiling, not a supraphysiological override. If your goal is sleep depth, faster recovery, and gradual recomp without stacking additional compounds, this tier does the work cleanly.
Who it's for
Users primarily focused on sleep quality, recovery, and mild recomp. The entry point into GH secretagogue therapy — delivers the core CJC + Ipamorelin pulse without additional compounds. Ideal for anyone new to this stack, or for users whose primary goal is sleep depth and training recovery rather than aggressive fat loss.
What to expect
Deeper, more restorative sleep within 1–2 weeks — the earliest and most reliable signal that the GH pulse is working. Mild body composition improvements (reduced subcutaneous fat, improved muscle fullness) by week 6. Training recovery noticeably faster by week 4–6. Not the right tier if visible fat loss is the primary goal; for that, move to Recomp.
Body Composition
Ipamorelin / CJC-1295 Blend
Users who want the core CJC + Ipa protocol with minimal preparation. Ideal for the GH Pulse and Recomp tiers.
AOD-9604
Recomp tier users who want to layer targeted fat loss onto a CJC + Ipa base without further amplifying the anabolic GH s…
GH Pulse drives the nocturnal GH window; AOD-9604 adds a second mechanism on top — selective fat breakdown from residues 176–191 of the GH molecule, engineered specifically for lipolysis without raising IGF-1. This matters because most users on CJC + Ipa who plateau on fat loss need more signalling at the adipocyte level, not more GH output. AOD doesn't tell your pituitary to do more — it tells stored fat to break down faster. For users who are already training hard and want to shift the muscle-to-fat ratio without a clinical-grade protocol, this is the recomp sweet spot.
Who it's for
Active users who want to actively shift body composition — more muscle, less fat — without targeting visceral or clinical-grade fat reduction. The most popular performance GH stack for physique goals. AOD-9604 makes this tier meaningfully different from GH Pulse by adding selective lipolysis on top of the existing GH signal.
What to expect
Visible subcutaneous fat reduction by week 6–8, particularly around the midsection. Improved muscle fullness and harder training recovery. IGF-1 elevation measurable by week 4 if tracking labs. The AOD-9604 contribution shows up as body composition change that exceeds what GH Pulse alone produces — faster fat loss without a corresponding increase in anabolic load.
Visceral Fat Targeted
Tesamorelin
Central adiposity, post-GLP-1 muscle preservation, metabolic syndrome patterns, and anyone who wants the highest-evidenc…
Ipamorelin
Standalone dosing when prescribed separately; also combined with cjc-no-dac for users whose protocol calls for two indiv…
Tesamorelin is the most potent GHRH analogue in this stack and the only one that cleared FDA review — approved for visceral fat reduction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, with human RCT data that no other GH secretagogue in this category can match. It stimulates the GHRH receptor with higher output than CJC-1295, specifically validated for visceral adipose tissue. When Ipamorelin is added, it contributes clean pulsatile GH signalling via the ghrelin receptor pathway without cortisol overhead. This is the protocol clinicians reach for in post-GLP-1 muscle preservation and central adiposity patterns — where evidence quality, not peptide volume, is what matters.
Who it's for
Users with central adiposity, post-GLP-1 muscle loss concerns, metabolic syndrome flags, or those who want the highest-evidence GH secretagogue protocol available. Tesamorelin is the clinically strongest tier — the only compound here with FDA label support for VAT reduction and the only one with robust human RCT data on visceral fat loss.
What to expect
Measurable visceral fat reduction by week 8–12 in trials — the most clinically validated outcome for any peptide in this stack. Strong improvements in glucose regulation and metabolic markers alongside fat loss. Ipamorelin adds clean GH pulse support when prescribed alongside Tesamorelin. Stacking additional GH secretagogues on top of this tier is not recommended — Tesamorelin's evidence base is strongest as the primary compound, not as one layer in a crowded protocol.
Compound roster
Every compound, briefed.
Each compound in this stack — what it does and where it fits.
Pre-mixed CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin in a single vial. CJC-1295 acts on the GHRH receptor to extend the amplitude and duration of each GH pulse; Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor to trigger clean pulsatile GH release without cortisol or appetite side effects. The blend ships both peptides together for convenience — clinics and compounding pharmacies offer it this way to reduce injection burden, though separate vials allow independent dose titration if your physician prefers.
Best for · Users who want the core CJC + Ipa protocol with minimal preparation. Ideal for the GH Pulse and Recomp tiers.
CJC-1295 without the Drug Affinity Complex modification — a GHRH analogue that binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs. The no-DAC form has a shorter half-life than CJC-1295 with DAC, producing discrete GH pulses rather than a sustained bleed that can flatten the natural pulsatile pattern. Preferred when pairing with Ipamorelin to preserve physiological GH rhythm.
Best for · Users who prefer to dose CJC and Ipamorelin as separate vials for precise independent titration, or those whose physician recommends controlling each compound individually.
A ghrelin-mimetic growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) that binds the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) — a completely different receptor pathway from CJC-1295's GHRH receptor. This distinction matters: Ipamorelin triggers GH release without the cortisol elevation, prolactin rise, or hunger spikes associated with older GHRPs. The selectivity makes it the cleanest GH secretagogue in its class for most performance applications.
Best for · Standalone dosing when prescribed separately; also combined with cjc-no-dac for users whose protocol calls for two individual vials rather than the blend.
The most potent GHRH analogue in this catalogue and the only compound here with FDA approval — cleared for visceral fat reduction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Tesamorelin stimulates the GHRH receptor with higher output than CJC-1295, producing stronger GH pulses and a correspondingly greater effect on visceral adipose tissue. Human RCT data supporting its VAT-reduction efficacy are the strongest evidence available for any peptide in the GH secretagogue class. Notably, stacking additional GH secretagogues on top of Tesamorelin is not well supported by clinical evidence — it shines as the primary compound when visceral fat is the target.
Best for · Central adiposity, post-GLP-1 muscle preservation, metabolic syndrome patterns, and anyone who wants the highest-evidence GHRH protocol available.
A synthetic fragment of the native human GH molecule — specifically residues 176–191 at the C-terminal end. This region governs GH's lipolytic activity while lacking the N-terminal segment responsible for IGF-1 stimulation and anabolic signalling. The result is a compound that selectively activates fat breakdown in adipocytes without raising IGF-1 levels, making it ideal for users who want the body-recomp benefits of GH without adding systemic anabolic load on top of an already-running GH secretagogue protocol.
Best for · Recomp tier users who want to layer targeted fat loss onto a CJC + Ipa base without further amplifying the anabolic GH signal.
The science
Peer-reviewed findings.
Key research findings from the compounds in this stack.
An early 2000s controlled study of CJC-1295 in mature male models found approximately a 7.5-fold increase in GH pulse amplitude relative to placebo, along with increased total pituitary RNA and GH mRNA — indicating not just acute secretion but potential somatotroph cell proliferation with sustained stimulation.
SOURCE · Biotech Peptides / IRE Journals pharmacological review citing early CJC-1295 clinical cohort data, 2025
A mechanistic review published in IRE Journals (2025) confirmed that combining a GHRH analogue with a GHRP produces 'activation of different but overlapping pathways which are closer to natural GH secretion patterns in the body,' allowing dual baseline stimulation and pulsatile release — minimising receptor downregulation risk associated with single-pathway saturation.
SOURCE · IRE Journals — The Mechanism of Action and Synergy of CJC-1295 And Ipamorelin Peptide Blend (2025)
Protocol
How to run it.
Frequency
CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin blend: 100–200 mcg each, subcutaneously, 5 days on / 2 days off. Tesamorelin: 1–2 mg once daily. AOD-9604: 300 mcg once daily, typically in the morning on an empty stomach. Most protocols run all compounds together, administered before bed to align with the body's natural nocturnal GH pulse.
Duration
12–16 weeks active dosing, followed by a 4–8 week off-cycle. Patients focused on body composition often benefit from the full 16-week run; those targeting primarily sleep and recovery may reach their goals at the 12-week mark. A second cycle can follow after the rest period.
Timing
Inject 1–1.5 hours after your last meal, right before bed. This timing aligns with the natural nocturnal GH secretion window and avoids insulin competition from food. Morning dosing as a second injection (for twice-daily protocols) should be done fasted or post-workout. Avoid carbohydrate-heavy meals within 30–60 minutes of injection — elevated insulin blunts GH response.
Cycling
Standard approach: 12 weeks on, 4 weeks off, then reassess with IGF-1 blood work before resuming. Long-term users often run 2–3 cycles per year. Cycling is essential to prevent receptor desensitisation — continuous uninterrupted use leads to diminishing returns and can plateau or reverse results.
Who it's for
Your profile.
Men and women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are training consistently but finding that recovery takes longer, body composition is harder to shift, and the muscle-to-fat ratio that came easily in their 20s now requires significantly more effort. This stack is ideal for people who have a solid training and nutrition foundation but suspect their natural GH output is limiting their progress. It's also well-suited for those dealing with stubborn visceral abdominal fat that hasn't responded to diet or exercise alone — Tesamorelin and AOD-9604 specifically target that problem. Athletes in strength and physique sports who want to optimise the anabolic environment without using exogenous hormones are the core audience.
Timeline
What to expect.
- 01
Week 1–2
Sleep quality improvements are typically the earliest signal — users report deeper, more restorative sleep and vivid dreams, both consistent with elevated nocturnal GH. Some experience mild water retention and tingling in the extremities in the first 1–2 weeks as GH levels adjust; this usually resolves on its own. Energy levels begin to stabilise upward.
- 02
Week 6
Body composition shifts start to become visible. Improved muscle fullness, reduced subcutaneous fat (particularly around the midsection with Tesamorelin), and noticeably faster recovery between training sessions. IGF-1 levels, if being tracked via blood work, are typically elevated by this point. Skin, hair, and nail quality improvements also become apparent around this stage.
- 03
Week 12
The full performance payoff: meaningful improvements in lean muscle mass, significant fat reduction (especially visceral), enhanced workout performance and strength, and sustained energy throughout the day. Long-term users report anti-aging secondary benefits including improved cognitive function and immune resilience. Body composition improvements at week 12 are typically the most dramatic for users who have combined the stack with consistent resistance training and adequate protein intake.
Stacking notes
How this combines.
CJC-1295 (no DAC) and Ipamorelin are the engine of this stack — they work through entirely different receptors. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue that binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, extending the duration and amplitude of each GH pulse. Ipamorelin is a ghrelin-mimetic GHRP that hits the ghrelin receptor via a separate pathway, triggering the pulsatile release itself without the cortisol or appetite spikes seen with older GHRPs like GHRP-6 or GHRP-2. Running them together produces a GH output pattern that closely mimics natural physiology rather than creating a supraphysiological sustained plateau. The blend vial ships both peptides pre-mixed for convenience; separate vials give precise independent dosing but require two injections. AOD-9604 — a fragment of the native GH molecule (residues 176–191) — provides selective lipolysis without raising IGF-1, making it a clean add-on for recomp users who want fat loss without additional systemic GH load. Tesamorelin is the most potent GHRH analogue in the catalogue and the only compound here with FDA approval, cleared for visceral fat reduction. It stacks cleanly with Ipamorelin but adding additional GH secretagogues on top of a Tesamorelin protocol moves into evidence-light territory. Do not combine with exogenous HGH — the stack is designed to optimise your own production, and stacking it with synthetic HGH can suppress pituitary responsiveness.