What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine copper) is a tripeptide first isolated from human plasma by Dr. Loren Pickart in 1973. It occurs naturally in blood plasma, urine and saliva, and its levels fall with age, from roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 to about 80 ng/mL by age 60. Pickart's work over several decades links GHK-Cu to hundreds of genes involved in wound healing, tissue remodeling, anti-inflammation and antioxidant defence.
Effects, what does the research say?
Collagen & Skin Regeneration
GHK-Cu stimulates production of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, the structural scaffold of skin. Human fibroblast studies show higher collagen synthesis after treatment. That is why it is common in cosmetics, though the research reaches well beyond skin.
- Stimulates collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts, shown in several cell-culture studies
- Increases production of decorin, a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fiber structure
- Promotes angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), supporting wound healing
"GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring human peptide with a remarkable ability to stimulate wound healing and regeneration while possessing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties."
Pickart L (2018), Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Biomolecules. · PMID 29986520 ↗
Gene Expression & Longevity
This is where GHK-Cu gets interesting. A 2012 analysis by Pickart et al. found that it changes the expression of more than 4,000 human genes, roughly 31% of the genome. It upregulates genes tied to tissue repair and regeneration and downregulates genes linked to inflammation and cancer progression.
- Upregulates genes for collagen, decorin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)
- Downregulates genes associated with chronic inflammation and cancer-related pathways
- Activates VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) for improved blood supply
"GHK-Cu has pleiotropic regulatory activities affecting a large number of human genes and is thus capable of resetting many aspects of aging tissue back to a healthier state."
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A (2015), GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International. · PMID 26236730 ↗
Wound Healing & Tissue Repair
Beyond skin, GHK-Cu speeds healing of bone, liver and intestinal tissue in animal models, and shows antioxidant activity that protects cells from oxidative damage.
- Wound healing studies show faster closure and reduced scar formation
- Anti-inflammatory: reduces chronic low-grade inflammation, relevant for aging
- Liver protection: anti-fibrotic effects documented in animal models
Dosage, what is being researched?
Important: There is no officially approved human dosage for GHK-Cu. The following reflects what is documented in published research and what research settings report; this is not medical advice.
| Application | Typical Dose | Protocol | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topical (skin) | 2-5% concentration | Daily application | 8-12 weeks |
| Subcutaneous injection | 1-3 mg/day | Daily or every other day | 4-8 weeks |
| Hair loss research | 1-2 mg/day | Scalp application or SC | 12-16 weeks |
Storage & Reconstitution
- Unreconstituted: Refrigerator (2-8 °C), protected from light, shelf life up to 24 months
- After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water: max. 30 days refrigerated
- Do not freeze after reconstitution, peptide chains can be damaged
- Add water slowly along the glass wall, do not shake