What has actually been studied
| Name | Biological focus | What the research here measures |
|---|---|---|
| MOTS-c | Fuel-use signals studied in cells and mice | Natural levels in people; treatment effects in mice |
| CJC-1295, apparently with DAC | A growth hormone release signal | Hormone changes in healthy adults |
| Ipamorelin | The ghrelin receptor, a different receiving point | Hormone responses and a bowel-surgery trial |
| Sermorelin | A growth hormone release signal | Children’s growth and short adult hormone studies |
DAC is the attachment that helps CJC-1295 bind to albumin, a blood protein, and last longer. The FDA review says the human studies appear to have used DAC, but the exact form and salt weren’t clear. Those findings don’t establish what happens with CJC-1295 without DAC.
We’ve separated the ingredients of the CJC-1295 and ipamorelin pair deliberately. Studying each one doesn’t prove the combination works. The CJC-1295 study measured hormones; the ipamorelin bowel-surgery trial tested a hospital use and found no significant benefit on its main outcomes. Neither answers the wellness question for the pair.
Similar signals, different evidence
Sermorelin and CJC-1295 are relatives of growth hormone-releasing hormone, which tells the pituitary gland below the brain to release growth hormone. Ipamorelin stimulates release through a different receptor. MOTS-c’s fuel-use research is a separate story.
That makes shared labels less useful than they first seem. The sermorelin childhood study doesn’t establish CJC-1295 as a treatment for children. And the MOTS-c exercise paper gave the peptide to mice, while measuring natural levels in people. It wasn’t a human treatment comparison.
Access needs a country attached
None of these substances has a current FDA-approved product on sale in the U.S. Sermorelin’s former approval history doesn’t approve a current compounded preparation. The FDA explains the separate limits of compounding.
On FDA’s page current as of April 22, 2026, MOTS-c and CJC-1295 have withdrawn nominations. Ipamorelin acetate appears in that table too, and in Category 2 for 503B outsourcing facilities. Withdrawal isn’t clearance, Category 1 status or approval for compounding.
These are U.S. records. We don’t have an Australian access determination to add from them.
What we’d want a claim to tell us
Which exact substance? Was it given to people or animals, or simply measured in the body? Did a health outcome change, or only a hormone level?
The individual pages cover the safety cautions for MOTS-c, CJC-1295 with ipamorelin and sermorelin. A table can help you find the relevant question; it can’t make a treatment decision.