Mass + Recomp Stack: IGF-1 LR3 + CJC/Ipa + MGF

This is the aggressive end of what peptides can do for body composition. IGF-1 LR3 plus the GH stack plus MGF is where the peptide community meets the people who actually care about recomposition outcomes, not just general wellness. It's also the stack with the steepest learning curve and the narrowest margin for error on technique, timing, and dose.

Not a first protocol. Not even a third. Run after you've established baseline responsiveness to the GH stack and are comfortable with injection precision.

Who this is for

• Experienced lifters (2+ years serious training)
• Already running a structured training and nutrition program
• 30+ and noticing that the gains of the 20s require more effort
• Willing to monitor blood glucose and run periodic labs

Not for beginners. Not for people with any history of glucose dysregulation without medical involvement.

The compounds

• CJC-1295 (no DAC) — 100 mcg, 3x per day sub-Q (AM fasted, post-training, pre-bed)
• Ipamorelin — 200 mcg, 3x per day sub-Q (paired with CJC)
• IGF-1 LR3 — 40-60 mcg, once daily, post-training. Sub-Q into trained muscle (bilateral site alternation).
• MGF (PEG-MGF) — 200-400 mcg sub-Q, 2x per week post-training, into trained muscle

Weekly schedule

Assumes a Mon/Wed/Fri resistance training split.

Day	AM fasted	Post-training	Pre-bed
Mon	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	IGF-1 LR3 50 mcg + MGF 300 mcg	CJC 100 + Ipa 200
Tue	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	—	CJC 100 + Ipa 200
Wed	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	IGF-1 LR3 50 mcg	CJC 100 + Ipa 200
Thu	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	—	CJC 100 + Ipa 200
Fri	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	IGF-1 LR3 50 mcg + MGF 300 mcg	CJC 100 + Ipa 200
Sat	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	—	CJC 100 + Ipa 200
Sun	CJC 100 + Ipa 200	—	CJC 100 + Ipa 200

Cycle length: 4-6 weeks for the IGF-1 LR3 component, then stop or step down. The CJC + Ipa base can continue for 8-12 weeks total.

Why the three together

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is the foundation — physiological GH pulsatility, slow cumulative anabolic environment. This is the slow-burn layer.

IGF-1 LR3 is the acute anabolic signal. The LR3 variant has an extended half-life (20-30 hours vs. ~15 minutes for native IGF-1) and reduced binding to IGF-BPs, which means more free IGF-1 in circulation. Injecting into a trained muscle gives a local concentration advantage on top of systemic effect.

MGF (mechano growth factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 produced locally in response to mechanical load. PEG-MGF is the pegylated version used in research to extend half-life. It's the most localized signal — the "this specific muscle just got worked, send satellite cells" message.

Three layers: chronic anabolic environment (CJC/Ipa), acute systemic anabolic push (IGF-1 LR3), local hypertrophy signal (MGF).

IGF-1 LR3 injection technique

This matters. IGF-1 LR3 is injected into the trained muscle bellies in small volumes — the point is bilateral distribution across the muscles trained that day. On a back day, you'd split the dose across lats and traps. On a leg day, across quads or glutes.

• Use a 29-30 gauge, 0.5 inch insulin syringe
• Sub-Q over the muscle, not deep IM
• Alternate bilaterally across sessions — don't concentrate on one side
• Inject within 30-60 minutes of training

Ramp-up and taper

• CJC/Ipa base: Establish at 2x/day for the first week, scale to 3x/day
• IGF-1 LR3: Start at 30-40 mcg for the first week, scale to 50-60 mcg if tolerating. Hard stop at 6 weeks.
• MGF: No ramp needed, but 2x/week is the ceiling — daily is unnecessary and more expensive for no benefit

Taper the IGF-1 LR3 off first at end of week 6. CJC/Ipa can continue for another 4-6 weeks before its own break.

What to expect

• Week 1-2: Vivid dreams (CJC/Ipa). Slight pump increase in trained muscles. Mild lethargy possible as the body adjusts.
• Week 3-4: Recovery between sessions notably better. Pump and vascularity markedly improved. Scale weight up 2-4 lbs — mostly water and glycogen.
• Week 5-6: Lean mass gains visible. Strength numbers improving faster than expected. Skin looks "fuller."
• Post-cycle: Sustained gains hold if training and nutrition continue. Water weight drops off in 2-3 weeks.

Cost ballpark

This is the expensive one. IGF-1 LR3: $80-150 per mg and you'll use 2-3 mg on a cycle. MGF: $40-80 per vial, a couple of vials. CJC/Ipa base: $150-250. Full 8-week cycle: $500-1,000.

Blood glucose monitoring

IGF-1 LR3 can induce hypoglycemia. It is not a theoretical risk. Carry simple carbs on training days when you're dosing post-training. If you ever feel shaky, cold-sweaty, or weird 1-2 hours post-injection, eat 20-30g fast carbs immediately.

A cheap glucometer and a few months of spot-checks is recommended.

Red flags — when to stop

• Hypoglycemic episodes — lower dose, don't push through
• Elevated fasting glucose on labs — stop, reassess
• Carpal tunnel symptoms progressing past week 2 — lower CJC/Ipa dose
• Unexplained abdominal pain or rapid weight gain — investigate

Labs worth pulling

Baseline and post-cycle:

• Fasting glucose, A1c, fasting insulin (HOMA-IR)
• IGF-1 (baseline and end — will be dramatically elevated during cycle, don't panic)
• Lipid panel
• Liver enzymes

If fasting glucose is elevated at baseline, this stack is not for you without medical involvement.

Where to go next

• The GH stack is the foundation — start there.
• Pair with the healing stack if training load is high and recovery is the bottleneck.
• Pepperpedia IGF-1 LR3 and PEG-MGF for the mechanism.
• Real-world progress and cycle logs in the Protocol Discussions forum.