GHK-Cu

What GHK-Cu Does

GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex first isolated from human plasma by Dr. Loren Pickart in 1973. It’s found in blood, saliva, and urine — and it declines with age. Serum levels average ~200 ng/mL at age 20 and drop to ~80 ng/mL by age 60. That 60% decline correlates directly with visible aging and slower healing.

This isn’t a synthetic research compound. Your body already makes it. You just make less of it as you age.

The mechanisms:

• Gene modulation — influences expression of over 4,000 human genes, resetting patterns toward those characteristic of younger, healthier tissue
• Collagen synthesis — increases production by up to 70% in lab studies. Stimulates types I and III collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
• Antioxidant activity — reduces reactive oxygen species by ~50%. Hydroxyl radical scavenging exceeds glutathione
• Anti-inflammatory — decreases TNF-alpha and IL-6 by suppressing NF-kB and p38 MAPK pathways
• Wound healing — accelerates wound closure by 40–50% vs. controls in research models

Dosing Protocol

Tiered Approach (Subcutaneous Injection)

Tier	Daily Dose	Frequency	Duration	Purpose
Starting	1,000 mcg (1 mg)	5 days/week (Mon–Fri)	4 weeks	Tolerance assessment
Standard	2,000 mcg (2 mg)	5 days/week	8–12 weeks	Research-supported sweet spot
Advanced	3,000 mcg (3 mg)	Daily	8–12 weeks	Aggressive anti-aging. Experienced users only.

Simplified alternative: 2 mg subcutaneously 3x/week (Mon/Wed/Fri) for ~6 mg/week total.

Cycle Structure

• On-cycle: 8–12 weeks. Can extend to 16 weeks in some protocols.
• Off-cycle: Minimum 4 weeks. Prevents copper accumulation and maintains receptor sensitivity.
• Effects persist 2–4 months after completing a cycle — you don’t lose gains immediately.

Topical Application (Secondary Route)

Topical GHK-Cu is effective for surface-level skin improvements:

• Creams typically at 1–3% concentration
• Apply at night for overnight absorption
• Best combined with microneedling for enhanced penetration
• Mild tingling sensation is normal

For deeper, systemic effects (collagen density, wound healing, gene modulation), injection is the primary route. Many users run both simultaneously.

What the Research Shows

Skin Rejuvenation

Clinical studies measured 20–30% improvement in skin firmness after 12 weeks of topical GHK-Cu treatment. In comparative trials, GHK-Cu produced a 31.6% reduction in wrinkle volume, outperforming Matrixyl 3000. It increases skin thickness across both epidermis and dermis.

Gene Expression

Studies using the Broad Institute Connectivity Map showed GHK-Cu upregulates genes involved in tissue repair, antioxidant responses, and cellular health, while downregulating genes associated with inflammation and tissue degradation. The net effect: gene expression patterns shift toward those of younger tissue.

Wound Healing

GHK-Cu encapsulated in liposomes significantly accelerated burn wound healing in mice. It enhances fibroblast migration, angiogenesis, and granulation tissue formation. Research indicates 40–50% acceleration of wound closure vs. control treatments.

Neuroprotective Effects

Aged mice treated with GHK showed improved spatial learning performance and decreased brain inflammation, suggesting epigenetic pathway activation via histone deacetylase modulation.

Injection Guide

Where to Inject

Subcutaneously into:

• Abdomen — at least 1 inch from navel. Most common site.
• Outer thigh — midway between hip and knee.
• Upper arm — deltoid area.

Rotate sites systematically with 1–2 inch spacing to prevent lipodystrophy. Morning injections are recommended to align with natural daytime repair processes.

Reconstitution

For a 5 mg vial — add 2 mL bacteriostatic water:

Dose	Volume to Draw
1,000 mcg (1 mg)	40 units on insulin syringe
2,000 mcg (2 mg)	80 units on insulin syringe

Concentration: 2,500 mcg/mL. The vial lasts 5 days at 1 mg/day or 2.5 days at 2 mg/day.

For a 50 mg vial — add 5 mL bacteriostatic water for 10 mg/mL:

Dose	Volume to Draw
1,000 mcg (1 mg)	10 units
2,000 mcg (2 mg)	20 units

The 50 mg vial is more economical for a full cycle.

Storage

• Unreconstituted: Refrigerate or freeze. Stable for months.
• Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8°C. Use within 28–30 days.

Safety

Side Effects

GHK-Cu has a favorable safety profile. It’s naturally occurring, nontoxic, and active at nanomolar concentrations:

• Injection-site redness, itching, or swelling (most common — resolves within hours)
• Mild tingling at injection site (normal)
• Rare: transient nausea or headache

Copper Considerations

GHK-Cu delivers copper with each dose. The body tightly regulates copper and excretes excess through bile, so toxicity is extremely unlikely at standard doses. Warning signs of copper excess (if somehow overloaded): abdominal pain, nausea, metallic taste.

• Cycle off after 8–12 weeks
• Do not use if you have Wilson’s Disease or copper metabolism disorders
• Baseline copper/ceruloplasmin labs are prudent for longer protocols

Contraindications

• Wilson’s Disease or copper metabolism disorders
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (insufficient data)
• Active cancer or tumor history (GHK-Cu promotes angiogenesis)
• Under 18

What Comes Next

• Stack with BPC-157 and TB-500 in the Glow Stack for full-spectrum skin rejuvenation and healing
• Add topical GHK-Cu serum alongside injections for surface and systemic coverage
• Pair with microneedling for enhanced penetration and collagen induction
• Use the Reconstitution Calculator for exact unit counts