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CJC-1295: Evidence, Legal Status, and Safety

CJC-1295 is a long-acting growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog with no completed human trials establishing safety or efficacy for its popular longevity, muscle-gain, or fat-loss uses. It is not FDA-approved, reportedly on the FDA's restricted-compounding list pending formal review, and banned at all times under WADA's anti-doping code. Andrew Huberman has publicly cited a clinical-trial death linked to cardiovascular dysfunction in this drug class.

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YourProtocol
YourProtocol Research
In-house · Synthesized from the cited primary sources
Daily time
5 min
Difficulty
Beginner
Sources
2
What the evidence says
What it is

Understand the mechanism

A synthetic growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, the same mechanism family as tesamorelin, engineered for a longer half-life so it stimulates more sustained growth-hormone release.

The longer half-life is the main engineering difference from tesamorelin, not a difference in evidence quality.

Research synthesis of GHRH-analog peptides, 2026
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Evidence tier: C

See what the human evidence actually is

No completed human RCTs establishing safety or efficacy for CJC-1295's popular uses were found. It is not an FDA-reviewed drug.

The absence of trial data is the headline fact, not a technicality.

Research synthesis, 2026
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No product needed
Legal status

Know where it actually stands

Not FDA-approved for any use. Reported on the FDA's 503A Category 2 restricted-compounding list as of April 2026, one of five peptides in a formal FDA review process. Banned at all times under WADA's S2 category.

“Under formal review” is not the same as “approved” or “newly legal,” despite how it's often marketed.

FDA 503A Category 2 reporting; WADA S2 list
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Safety

Know the real risk

GH-secretagogue class effects, water retention, joint or soft-tissue swelling, potential insulin resistance, and a theoretical concern about stimulating GH-sensitive tissue growth, are described for the class generally. CJC-1295-specific human safety data is not established. Andrew Huberman has publicly cited a clinical-trial death linked to cardiovascular dysfunction associated with this compound class.

A cited clinical-trial death is a real safety signal, not gray-market rumor, and belongs on this page plainly.

Huberman Lab peptide-therapeutics episode
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No product needed
What it is

CJC-1295 is a synthetic GHRH analog, the same mechanism family as tesamorelin, engineered for a longer half-life so it stimulates more sustained growth-hormone release. This page reports the honest evidence tier, legal status, and safety picture; it does not describe how to use it.

Why it worksâ–Ľ
No completed human randomized controlled trials establishing safety or efficacy for CJC-1295's popular longevity, muscle-gain, or fat-loss uses were found; it is not an FDA-reviewed drug. As of April 2026, CJC-1295 was reported on the FDA's 503A Category 2 bulk-substances list, meaning it cannot legally be compounded under Section 503A pending further review. It is reportedly one of five peptides moving through a formal FDA review process, alongside ipamorelin, thymosin alpha-1, AOD-9604, and Selank, a real, newsworthy process, but not yet a completed approval; this page frames it as “under review,” not “coming soon.” Peter Attia has named CJC-1295 in his evidence buckets as “GH-stimulating; dosing uncertainty, no long-term human safety data.” Andrew Huberman has been more pointed still, stating on his podcast that CJC-1295 is “still in trials,” explicitly citing a clinical-trial death linked to cardiovascular dysfunction, and saying in his own words: “I don't know why anyone would specifically select CJC1295.” On WADA's list, CJC-1295 falls under the S2 category (growth-hormone-releasing peptides), banned at all times in Olympic and WADA-code sport.
The evidence
Sources 2
Primary sources behind this page, cited straight to the source: peer-reviewed papers and reporting. Select any to view it here.
1
Huberman Lab: Benefits & Risks of Peptide Therapeutics for Physical & Mental Health (CJC-1295 segment, cites a clinical-trial death)
Article · hubermanlab.com
2
Peter Attia, AMA #83: Peptides, evaluating the science, safety, and hype (CJC-1295 named in his evidence buckets)
Article · peterattiamd.com
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Is this for you?
Good fit if
  • Anyone considering CJC-1295 who wants the honest evidence before discussing it with a clinician
  • Athletes checking WADA and anti-doping status
  • Readers comparing CJC-1295 to FDA-approved GH-axis drugs like tesamorelin
  • Readers who want to know what credible physicians actually say about it
Cautions
  • Not FDA-approved for any use; reported on the FDA's restricted-compounding list pending formal review.
  • Banned at all times under WADA's anti-doping code (S2); can result in a competition ban if detected.
  • No completed human RCT establishes its safety or efficacy for the popular use case; a clinical-trial death linked to cardiovascular dysfunction has been publicly cited for this compound class.
  • Educational only, not medical advice.
Common questions
Is CJC-1295 legal?▾
It is not FDA-approved for any use and is reported on the FDA's 503A Category 2 restricted-compounding list as of April 2026, pending formal review. It is also banned at all times for competitive athletes under WADA's code.
Is CJC-1295 safe?▾
No completed human RCT establishes its safety for the popular longevity, muscle-gain, or fat-loss uses. Andrew Huberman has publicly cited a clinical-trial death linked to cardiovascular dysfunction associated with this compound class.
What do credible experts say about CJC-1295?▾
Peter Attia lists it among his evidence buckets, noting dosing uncertainty and no long-term human safety data. Andrew Huberman has said directly, "I don't know why anyone would specifically select CJC1295," citing a clinical-trial death.
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Not medical advice. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified clinician before changing your health routine.
Editorial disclosure. This protocol is written and fact-checked by the YourProtocol editorial team directly from the primary sources cited below; it is not written or reviewed by any outside expert.

CJC-1295: Evidence, Legal Status, and Safety
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