CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin in Houston, for real GH support.
The standard combined GH peptide protocol — CJC-1295 amplifies pulse amplitude, Ipamorelin amplifies pulse frequency. Used together for sleep, recovery, and body composition.
Two peptides that work better together than either alone.
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are growth hormone-releasing peptides that work through different but complementary pathways. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog — it tells your pituitary “release growth hormone.” Ipamorelin is a ghrelin mimetic / growth hormone secretagogue — it tells your pituitary “release growth hormone, and don’t worry about cortisol, prolactin, or appetite.” Used together, they produce a stronger and more selective growth hormone pulse than either peptide on its own.
This combination has become one of the most commonly prescribed growth hormone peptide protocols in compounded medicine. Patients typically use it for support across body composition, recovery, sleep quality, and general wellbeing during the 40s, 50s, and beyond — when natural growth hormone output has declined substantially from younger years. The combination is preferred over CJC-1295 alone because of cleaner side effect profile, and over Ipamorelin alone because of stronger response.
This is not the same as injecting growth hormone directly. CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin work upstream — they stimulate your own pituitary to release more of its own growth hormone. This makes the safety profile better, though the maximum effect ceiling is also lower than synthetic HGH.
What this protocol actually delivers.
The combination has real, well-characterized effects. Setting realistic expectations matters — these aren’t dramatic transformations, but they’re meaningful improvements across several domains.
Deeper, more restorative sleep
Often the first noticeable effect, sometimes within the first week. Growth hormone is naturally released during deep sleep, and supporting that release tends to improve sleep architecture. Most patients describe better sleep quality, more vivid dreams, and feeling more rested on waking. This effect alone matters for energy, recovery, and cognitive function.
Best for: Sleep quality · Recovery · EnergyLean mass support, fat reduction
Over 3 to 6 months, most patients see modest improvements in body composition — slightly more muscle preservation during caloric deficit, slightly easier fat loss particularly around the midsection, and improved recovery from training. The effect is meaningful but not dramatic. It works best when paired with consistent resistance training and adequate protein intake.
Best for: Body composition · Training response · RecoveryBetter recovery, mood, vitality
Patients commonly describe improved recovery from exercise, less joint stiffness, better skin quality, and a general sense of feeling more like the version of themselves they remember from their 30s. The “GH effect” is multi-system — affecting many tissues at once — and the felt experience is often subtle but cumulative.
Best for: Vitality · Recovery · General wellbeingGH peptides work best when the foundations are already in place.
The combination amplifies what’s working. It doesn’t compensate for missing pieces. Patients who get the most benefit have the basics handled before adding this protocol.
The peptides drive GH release. The foundations decide what to do with it.
Growth hormone affects training adaptation, sleep architecture, and tissue repair. Without training, sleep, and recovery infrastructure, the peptide has limited material to work with.
- Sleep quality — both prerequisite for and amplified by the peptide protocol
- Adequate protein intake — needed for the muscle preservation and growth GH supports
- Coordinated hormone optimization — for patients also on TRT or HRT, the peptides work alongside, not in competition
- Sermorelin is an alternative simpler protocol for patients who want GH support but prefer single-peptide simplicity — see Sermorelin
From consultation to first prescription, in real medicine.
This protocol involves daily injection and a 3- to 6-month commitment to evaluate response. The process reflects that.
Initial consultation
In person at our Houston clinic. We discuss your goals, current training and nutrition, sleep quality, and any other medications or hormone protocols you’re on. We’re honest about realistic expectations — this is a useful protocol for the right patient, not a transformation drug.
Focused workup
Baseline labs at LabCorp or Quest — IGF-1, A1c, fasting glucose, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, thyroid, and other markers based on your specific situation. We’re establishing baseline so we can monitor response, and ruling out any conditions where this protocol isn’t appropriate.
Protocol design
Compounded CJC-1295 (without DAC) + Ipamorelin combined preparation from our partner pharmacies. Typical dosing is 100–300 mcg of each peptide via subcutaneous injection, taken 5 nights per week before bed (the timing matters — administering before sleep aligns with natural GH pulse patterns). Some protocols include a second daily dose.
First prescription
Compounded peptides shipped from licensed compounding pharmacy with detailed injection instructions and supplies. Most patients are comfortable with subcutaneous injection after the first few attempts; we provide clear instructions and are available for questions.
Reassessment
Repeat IGF-1 and full panel at 12 weeks to confirm therapeutic effect. Honest review of subjective benefits and any side effects. If the protocol is working, continue. If response is partial or absent, we adjust or have an honest conversation about discontinuing. Most patients who continue do so for 6 to 12 month courses with periodic breaks.
Ready to start the conversation?
A 45-minute consultation with one of our physicians. We’ll review your specific situation, walk through whether this protocol is the right fit, and design a course that matches your goals and lifestyle.
What this protocol can — and can’t — do.
This is a well-characterized combination with real but bounded effects. Honest framing about what to expect matters more than aspirational marketing.
What it can do
- Improve sleep quality, often within the first 1 to 2 weeks
- Support modest improvements in body composition over 3 to 6 months
- Improve exercise recovery and reduce joint stiffness for many patients
- Stimulate your own pituitary to release growth hormone — more physiologic than direct HGH
- Combine safely with TRT, HRT, and most other treatments
- Have a more favorable safety profile than direct HGH injection
What it can’t do
- Be FDA-approved — both are prescribed off-label and require compounding
- Produce results comparable to direct HGH injection (the ceiling is lower)
- Avoid the practical commitment — 5 injections per week for 3 to 6 months
- Substitute for training, sleep, or nutrition
- Be appropriate for patients with active cancer, untreated diabetes, or other specific contraindications
- Produce dramatic transformations — the effects are meaningful but cumulative
This page describes a compounded peptide or off-label medication. The compound is not FDA-approved for any indication. Available human clinical evidence is limited. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes; clinical decisions are made individually during physician consultation. See our full disclaimers for additional context.
Before you book.
How much does treatment cost?
The initial consultation is $349. The compounded CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination typically runs $250 to $450 per month depending on dose and quantity. Our clinical service fees cover physician oversight, lab review, and structured monitoring separately. We’ll discuss specifics during consultation.
Why combine the two peptides instead of using one?
They work through different mechanisms and produce a synergistic effect when combined. CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog that increases the amount of GH released per pulse. Ipamorelin is a ghrelin mimetic that increases the frequency of GH pulses and works through a separate receptor. Combined, you get more total GH release than either peptide produces alone. Ipamorelin also balances out some of the potential side effects of CJC-1295 alone, particularly around cortisol and prolactin elevation.
How does this compare to Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a simpler single-peptide GHRH protocol — older, well-characterized, and easier to manage. CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is a more potent combination with a longer-lasting effect per dose. Sermorelin is often the right starting point for patients new to GH peptides; CJC + Ipa is more appropriate for patients who want stronger effect or who haven’t gotten adequate response on Sermorelin. We discuss both during consultation and choose based on your situation. See our Sermorelin page for the alternative.
Is this the same as taking HGH?
No. HGH (somatropin) is direct injection of synthetic growth hormone. CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin stimulates your own pituitary to release more of its own growth hormone. The effect is more physiologic, with intact feedback mechanisms that prevent the level from going dangerously high. The maximum effect is lower than HGH, but so are the risks. For most patients seeking GH support for general wellness, the peptide approach is more appropriate.
What are the side effects?
Generally well-tolerated. The most common early effects are mild — water retention, tingling in the hands (often a sign the peptides are working), increased hunger (more with Ipamorelin alone, less with the combination), and occasional headaches. Most resolve within the first few weeks. More serious concerns — significant elevation in blood sugar, joint pain, or other GH-effect signs — are uncommon at therapeutic doses but warrant monitoring. We check IGF-1 and metabolic markers at baseline and at 12 weeks.
Can I use this with TRT?
Yes, and many men do. TRT and GH peptides work through completely different pathways and complement each other well. Many men in their 40s and 50s on TRT find that adding CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin improves the body composition and recovery benefits beyond what TRT alone delivers. We discuss the combined protocol during consultation if it’s appropriate.
How long do I take it?
Typical courses are 3 to 6 months on, followed by a 4 to 8 week break, then potentially another course. Some patients use it continuously for longer; some use it intermittently around training cycles or specific goals. The reasoning for breaks is to avoid potential desensitization of GH-releasing pathways — though the evidence for this is limited. We design your protocol based on your specific goals and review at each follow-up.
Start with a conversation, not a prescription.
A 45-minute consultation with one of our Houston physicians. We’ll review your specific situation, walk through whether this protocol fits, and design a course that matches your goals.