Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are amongst the most heavily researched growth hormone secretagogues. While ipamorelin acts at the ghrelin receptor, CJC-1295 acts at the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor. This fact alone makes the combination of these peptides popular in research investigating how both high and widened growth hormone (GH) peaks might work synergistically to produce enhanced effects while limiting side effects. Fortunately, the Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost point remains low because both peptides are well established and therefore affordable.
On the other hand, however, is the argument that Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost, even when both peptides are combined, is both affordable in and of itself, but almost a steal when the effects of the two peptides are combined. After all, while CJC-1295 causes enhanced peaks when used alone, it can cause both doubly enhanced peaks and higher troughs as a result of a higher baseline when used with ipamorelin[1]. In other words, the peptides work together to drastically elevate GH levels into a stratosphere that cannot be achieved, even with large doses, when using the two peptides alone. Thus, if the goal is to study the benefits of vastly enhanced growth hormone secretion, the cheapest and only way to get it is with the Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 combination.
For Ipamorelin, the largest secondary effect is on bone health. The peptide has long been known for its ability to fight bone loss by increasing bone formation by up to four-fold and bone mineralization as well[2], [3]. This is particularly useful in both pathologic states of bone loss, such as from glucocorticoid therapy, and in physiologic bone loss that results from aging. Ipamorelin, more than any other GH secretagogue, has been shown to strengthen bones and promote beneficial remodeling.
CJC-1295 preserves the normal pulsatile release of GH and can actually help to normalize it in pathological settings. This is important because pulsatile GH release is critical for proper growth and has been shown, in animal studies, to help regulate the proper release of other hormones[4]. CJC-1295 is therefore a kind of regulatory peptide that helps to normalize pituitary gland function.
Taken together, the secondary effects of Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 offer a level of benefit seldom seen with synergistic peptide combinations. The enhanced bone growth and pituitary axis regulation make these secondary effects almost as valuable as the primary effects of muscle growth and fat dissolution. This synergy makes that Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost analysis seem even more favorable.
Another aspect of Ipamorelin to consider is its ability to block pain transmission. Neuropeptide Y plays an important role in mitigating pain perception, so substances that induce neuropeptide Y release also help to reduce pain. Ghrelin analogues like ipamorelin are particularly effective at reducing visceral pain (pain in the GI tract and organ pain) and neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve dysfunction[6]. According to Dr. Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld, the director of the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, treating visceral pain effectively may also help to manage anxiety as the two phenomena may be related. Thus, Ipamorelin may have an indirect impact on anxiety and the depression that often follows chronic illness and pain.
CJC-1295 has one of the longest half lives of any GHRH analogue. When combined with DAC (drug affinity complex), the half-life is increased even further. Research shows that CJC-1295 combined with DAC needs to only be administered once a week to produce a 2-10 fold increase in peak GH levels over that time period[1].
Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 Cost
There are two ways to look at the Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost paradigm. On the one hand, using two GH secretagogues together may seem like some to be overkill. After all, both will cause relatively physiologic increases in GH levels to increase muscle and bone mass while decreasing fat mass. It would seem that money can be conserved by simply choosing either the highly specific ipamorelin with its enhanced bone benefits or the equally selective CJC-1295 with its long half-life.On the other hand, however, is the argument that Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost, even when both peptides are combined, is both affordable in and of itself, but almost a steal when the effects of the two peptides are combined. After all, while CJC-1295 causes enhanced peaks when used alone, it can cause both doubly enhanced peaks and higher troughs as a result of a higher baseline when used with ipamorelin[1]. In other words, the peptides work together to drastically elevate GH levels into a stratosphere that cannot be achieved, even with large doses, when using the two peptides alone. Thus, if the goal is to study the benefits of vastly enhanced growth hormone secretion, the cheapest and only way to get it is with the Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 combination.
Other Growth Hormone Secretagogues
Of course, some will point out that Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost is hard to justify when combinations of other growth hormone secretagogues can be used at lower total cost. This is, again, both true and false. It is perfectly true that other combinations of GHRH and ghrelin analogues can be effective, but these combinations often come with increased risk of side effects. This happens because they are less specific to their targeted receptors than either Ipamorelin and CJC-1295. Ipamorelin is widely considered to be the most selective growth hormone secretagogue yet developed and CJC-1295 isn’t far behind. Thus, the Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost comparison becomes more attractive when you consider that the side effect profile of these peptides, even when used in combination, is almost non-existent.Combining Secondary Effects
It would not really be accurate to refer to either Ipamorelin or CJC-1295 as having side effects. It is more accurate to say that they have secondary or additional effects. This is because the effects of both Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 that fall outside the strict GH effects of increased lean body mass and decreased fat mass are actually extended specific effects of GH axis stimulation rather than side effects caused by action at other receptors.For Ipamorelin, the largest secondary effect is on bone health. The peptide has long been known for its ability to fight bone loss by increasing bone formation by up to four-fold and bone mineralization as well[2], [3]. This is particularly useful in both pathologic states of bone loss, such as from glucocorticoid therapy, and in physiologic bone loss that results from aging. Ipamorelin, more than any other GH secretagogue, has been shown to strengthen bones and promote beneficial remodeling.
CJC-1295 preserves the normal pulsatile release of GH and can actually help to normalize it in pathological settings. This is important because pulsatile GH release is critical for proper growth and has been shown, in animal studies, to help regulate the proper release of other hormones[4]. CJC-1295 is therefore a kind of regulatory peptide that helps to normalize pituitary gland function.
Taken together, the secondary effects of Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 offer a level of benefit seldom seen with synergistic peptide combinations. The enhanced bone growth and pituitary axis regulation make these secondary effects almost as valuable as the primary effects of muscle growth and fat dissolution. This synergy makes that Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 cost analysis seem even more favorable.
Don’t Forget These Aspects of Ipamorelin and CJC-1295
As a ghrelin analogue, Ipamorelin stimulates appetite and increases food intake. Research suggests that while it does this, Ipamorelin potentiates insulin release. This is important because insulin is necessary for pushing glucose into muscles, rather than it being stored in fat[5]. The increased hunger associated with Ipamorelin is therefore beneficial to the peptide’s overall GH stimulating effect because the net result is increased raw material that is preferentially pushed into lean body mass rather than fat mass.Another aspect of Ipamorelin to consider is its ability to block pain transmission. Neuropeptide Y plays an important role in mitigating pain perception, so substances that induce neuropeptide Y release also help to reduce pain. Ghrelin analogues like ipamorelin are particularly effective at reducing visceral pain (pain in the GI tract and organ pain) and neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve dysfunction[6]. According to Dr. Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld, the director of the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, treating visceral pain effectively may also help to manage anxiety as the two phenomena may be related. Thus, Ipamorelin may have an indirect impact on anxiety and the depression that often follows chronic illness and pain.
CJC-1295 has one of the longest half lives of any GHRH analogue. When combined with DAC (drug affinity complex), the half-life is increased even further. Research shows that CJC-1295 combined with DAC needs to only be administered once a week to produce a 2-10 fold increase in peak GH levels over that time period[1].
