ARA 290 vs CJC-1295
Updated July 21, 2026 · Reviewed by the PeptidesDB Editorial team
A data-driven comparison of ARA 290 and CJC-1295 (also searched as CJC-1295 vs ARA 290) — effect profiles, evidence, side effects, and which suits weight loss, muscle, or healing goals.
Verdict
ARA 290 centers on neuro, while CJC-1295 leans toward muscle. On indexed research, ARA 290 is ahead (ARA 290: 4 studies, Preclinical; CJC-1295: 4, Preclinical). Choose by goal — and read the primary studies. This is research information, not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- •ARA 290 is strongest for neuro; CJC-1295 for muscle.
- •Evidence: ARA 290 Preclinical (4 studies) vs CJC-1295 Preclinical (4).
- •Both are research-use compounds — not FDA-approved.
Effect profiles, overlaid
At a glance
ARA 290 vs CJC-1295: side-by-side
| Metric | ARA 290 | CJC-1295 |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Healing | — |
| Regulatory status | Research use only | Research use only |
| Evidence grade | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Studies indexed | 4 | 4 |
| Research level | Extensively Studied | — |
| Strongest effect | Neuro & mood | Muscle & body comp |
| Healing & recovery | 2.3▲ | 2.0 |
| Muscle & body comp | 2.2 | 4.0▲ |
| Metabolic & appetite | 1.7 | 3.0▲ |
| Neuro & mood | 3.0▲ | 2.0 |
| Sleep & circadian | 1.0 | 3.0▲ |
| Inflammation & immune | 2.7▲ | 1.0 |
| Skin & aesthetics | 2.2▲ | 1.0 |
▲ marks the higher community effect score (0–5 perceived-effect signal, not clinical efficacy).
Mechanism & pharmacokinetics
| Property | ARA 290 | CJC-1295 |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | — | GHRH (1–29) analog, modified |
| Route | — | Subcutaneous injection |
| Half-life | — | ~30 min |
Established pharmacology — curated for well-characterized compounds and AI-summarized otherwise. A blank (—) means no reliable single value is published (half-life figures for some peptides genuinely disagree across sources). Verify against primary sources such as FDA labels and ClinicalTrials.gov.
What is CJC-1295?
GHRH analogue used in research contexts for GH/IGF-1 modulation, muscle and bone density, sleep, and recovery.
Full CJC-1295 profile, mechanism & studies →Which is better for your goal?
| Goal | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Healing | ARA 290 | 2.3/5 effect signal |
| Muscle | CJC-1295 | 4.0/5 effect signal |
| Metabolic | CJC-1295 | 3.0/5 effect signal |
| Neuro | ARA 290 | 3.0/5 effect signal |
| Sleep | CJC-1295 | 3.0/5 effect signal |
| Inflammation | ARA 290 | 2.7/5 effect signal |
| Skin | ARA 290 | 2.2/5 effect signal |
Fit reflects community-perceived effect profiles — not head-to-head trials. Read each peptide's studies before deciding.
Can you stack ARA 290 and CJC-1295?
People sometimes combine peptides that target different pathways, but there is little controlled research on this specific pairing and the interactions aren't well characterized. Because neither compound is FDA-approved, we don't publish stacking or dosing protocols here. Any combination should be discussed with a qualified clinician.
ARA 290 vs CJC-1295: side effects
No community-reported effects logged yet.
No community-reported effects logged yet.
Anonymous community reports (count = number of reports), not clinical incidence rates.
What the research says
ARA 290 has 4 approved studies indexed (Preclinical), and CJC-1295 has 4 (Preclinical). The Librarian re-checks PubMed, Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials daily, so these counts move. Open each profile to read the summaries and sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is ARA 290 or CJC-1295 better?
It depends on your goal. ARA 290 is strongest for neuro; CJC-1295 for muscle. ARA 290 has more indexed studies (4). See the goal-by-goal breakdown above.
Is ARA 290 or CJC-1295 better for weight loss?
CJC-1295 shows the stronger metabolic & appetite profile (3.0/5) in community effect data — though weight-loss outcomes depend on the individual and the evidence base.
Is ARA 290 or CJC-1295 better for muscle?
CJC-1295 leads on the muscle & body-composition axis (4.0/5).
Which has more research, ARA 290 or CJC-1295?
ARA 290 has 4 approved studies indexed (Preclinical); CJC-1295 has 4 (Preclinical). Higher counts mean more to read, not proven superiority.
Can you stack ARA 290 and CJC-1295?
Some users combine peptides, but there's little controlled data on this specific pairing, and interactions aren't well characterized. We don't publish stacking protocols for compounds that aren't FDA-approved. Discuss any combination with a qualified clinician.
What are the side effects of ARA 290 vs CJC-1295?
ARA 290: no community-reported effects logged yet. CJC-1295: none logged yet. These are anonymous reports, not incidence rates — see each profile.
Is ARA 290 or CJC-1295 FDA-approved?
ARA 290 is a research-use compound and is not FDA-approved. CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved. Research-use status is not a legal clearance to compound or use in humans.
Is CJC-1295 better than ARA 290?
For muscle, CJC-1295 has the edge; for neuro, ARA 290 does. Neither is universally "better" — it's goal-dependent, and both should be weighed against their evidence base above.
Comparing related peptides
Regulatory & legal status
ARA 290 and CJC-1295 are research-use compounds and are not FDA-approved for human use. FDA approval and compounding rules for peptides change frequently, and research-use status is not a legal clearance for human use. The FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Verify current status with primary sources before acting. Last reviewed July 21, 2026.