GHK-Cu
Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide whose plasma levels fall by roughly two-thirds between age 20 and 60.
Last reviewed · 1 references
How it works
GHK-Cu is present in human plasma and binds copper with high affinity. Gene-expression work reports that it resets the expression of a large number of human genes toward a younger profile, and it is well characterised in skin remodelling, collagen synthesis and antioxidant signalling. Some work reports nerve outgrowth effects.
Early human data. Some human data exists, usually small, open-label, or from a single research group.
What the research reports
- Human trials in dermatology showing improved skin firmness and reduced photodamage
- Broad gene-expression resetting in human fibroblast studies
- Nerve outgrowth and repair effects in animal models
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
What it has not been shown to do
- Systemic (injected) use is not supported by human trials — the human evidence is topical
- No cognitive or mood trials
- Anti-ageing gene-expression findings are in-vitro
Dosing reference
Topical cosmetic formulations typically use 0.05–2%. Injected use has no human dose reference.
Calculate my dose for GHK-Cu- Routes studied
- Topical, Subcutaneous
- Half-life
- Short systemically; topical action is local and sustained
- Cycle length in the literature
- Topical use is continuous; injected protocols cite 4-week cycles
Working out a draw volume from a vial? Use the free reconstitution calculator.
Side effects and contraindications
Reported side effects
- Skin irritation with topical use
- Copper accumulation is a theoretical concern with prolonged high-dose systemic use
Do not use if
- Wilson's disease or any copper metabolism disorder — absolute
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The practice that shares the mechanism
The honest read on GHK-Cu is that the human evidence is topical and cosmetic. The systemic anti-ageing story is extrapolated from cell culture.
What amplifies it
- Adequate protein and vitamin C for collagen synthesis
- Sleep
Mechanism hubs
- Nerve regenerationPeripheral nerves regenerate at roughly a millimetre a day. The central nervous system largely does not. What that means for peptides and practice.
- Inflammation & moodWhy inflammatory markers are elevated in a subset of depression, what causes it, and which peptides and practices act on the pathway.
Stacks that include it
Common questions
- The human evidence is almost entirely topical. Injected use is extrapolation from in-vitro gene-expression work, and copper accumulation is a real consideration with sustained systemic dosing.
Sources & evidence notes
Some human data exists, usually small, open-label, or from a single research group.
Confidence score 20/100
Preliminary
Mechanism only. Nothing here establishes that a person would feel anything.
- 1.
BioMed Research International, 2015 · Source (opens in a new tab)
Human trialModerate gradeHuman data, but open-label, uncontrolled, or from a single group.