GHK-Cu
Copper peptide / Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu²⁺
Naturally occurring copper-binding peptide found in human plasma. Declines significantly with age. Influences over 4,000 genes. Strongest evidence base for topical skin applications.
Mechanism of action
Transports copper ions essential for collagen synthesis. Activates over 30 tissue repair genes while suppressing inflammation genes. Acts as antioxidant, stimulates collagen and elastin production, activates stem cells. Gene expression effects documented across 4,000+ genes.
Effects in the body
GHK-Cu is naturally present in your body and naturally declines with age — from approximately 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL by age 60. It activates broad genetic repair programming. Best human evidence comes from topical wound healing and skin research.
Pros & cons (from the literature)
- Naturally occurring compound — exceptional tolerability profile
- 4000+ gene expression effects documented in research
- Strong topical wound healing and skin repair evidence
- Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties
- Hair growth stimulation data in topical studies
- Injectable systemic data much thinner than topical evidence base
- Injectable dosing in humans not well characterized
- Copper toxicity theoretical at very high injectable doses
- Most robust human evidence comes from cosmetic topical use
- Systemic effects of injectable form largely unexplored
Protocol summary (from published research)
Dosing ranges reproduced from published research literature. Not a prescription, not medical advice.
FDA & regulatory status
Evidence base
Strong topical wound healing RCT data exists. Loren Pickart published extensively on mechanisms. Injectable human clinical data remains exploratory as of 2026.
Primary research sources
Peer-reviewed literature referenced throughout this profile is drawn from PubMed, Cell Metabolism, and clinical trial registries cited in the evidence base above.
Expert perspective — Dr. Alex Tatem, Urologist
Dr. Alex Tatem is a board-certified Urologist and Men's Health Specialist who has studied peptides for 12 years. Videos featured for educational purposes. ThePeptide.expert is an independent platform.
Dr. Tatem covers GHK-Cu as a topical copper peptide that boosts collagen and elastin — one of the most accessible peptides for skin research.
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