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GHK-Cu

Also known as: Copper Peptide, GHK-Copper, Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine:Copper(II), Loren Pickart Copper Peptide
FDA: Not FDA-approved as a drug WADA: Not prohibited
Last updated · 2026-06-19

GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine:Copper(II)) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide first isolated from human plasma by Dr. Loren Pickart in 1973. It is found in blood plasma, saliva, and urine, with plasma levels declining from approximately 200 ng/mL at age 20 to 80 ng/mL by age 60 — a 60% decline that correlates with reduced wound healing and tissue regeneration capacity. Research by Pickart and subsequent investigators has demonstrated that GHK-Cu modulates the expression of over 4,000 human genes, with a net effect of shifting gene expression toward a younger, healthier pattern. With 163 PubMed publications as of April 2026, it is

This content is for educational and research purposes only. VialBase does not provide medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before using any peptide.

Molecular weight 340.38 Da
Half-life ~1 hour injectable
CAS number —
Route Topical · Subcutaneous · Intradermal topical preferred
Where to buy GHK-Cu →BioLongevity Labs · save 15% code VIALBASE
02

Dosing

DOSE RANGE 200–500 mcg
FREQUENCY 1x daily (injectable); 1-2x daily (topical)
CYCLE LENGTH 4-8 weeks (injectable); ongoing (topical)

Topical is most common route — OTC serums at 1-2% concentration. Injectable use for systemic anti-aging and wound healing. Microneedling + topical GHK-Cu is a popular protocol for skin rejuvenation.

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Mechanism

Copper-binding tripeptide that activates tissue remodeling, collagen/elastin synthesis, anti-inflammatory gene expression, DNA repair, and stem cell recruitment. Resets expression of 4,000+ genes toward a younger profile.

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Research summary

Study Type Year Key Finding
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration Gene expression analysis / Review (Broad Connectivity Map analysis) 2015 GHK-Cu modulates expression of 4,665 human genes at 1 micromolar concentration
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data Review (gene data analysis) 2018 GHK-Cu's gene expression effects support regenerative healing over scar formation
A gene expression signature of emphysema-related lung destruction and its reversal by the tripeptide GHK human lung tissue gene expression study with in-vitro fibroblast experiments 2012 127 genes tracked regional emphysema severity in 64 samples from 8 COPD lungs
Thermodynamically stable ionic liquid microemulsions pioneer pathways for topical delivery and peptide application preclinical (topical formulation development + mouse experiments) 2024 An ionic liquid microemulsion raised topical GHK-Cu delivery about three-fold
GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration review 2015 GHK-Cu modulates expression of over 4,000 genes
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) for Acute Wound Healing — — —
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Stacking & interactions

Wound healing synergy — GHK-Cu for collagen remodeling, BPC-157 for angiogenesis and growth factor signaling

Comprehensive healing — tissue remodeling + immune modulation

Longevity stack — telomere maintenance + gene expression resetting

Cellular rejuvenation — mitochondrial support + tissue remodeling

Stacks containing GHK-Cu

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Glow Stack

GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500

 Marquee

KLOW Stack

GHK-Cu + KPV + BPC-157 + TB-500

Bone Density Builder

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin + GHK-Cu

Dopamine & Motivation

Semax + Tesofensine + GHK-Cu

Estrogen Reset

BPC-157 + GHK-Cu + Arimistane

Mito-Melt

MOTS-c + 5-Amino-1MQ + GHK-Cu (optional)

Recovery & Repair

BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu

28-day resets featuring GHK-Cu

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Sourcing

Current prices

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Size unspecified

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Also vetted at
What bloodwork do I need?

Reference ranges are general guidelines. Consult your physician for interpretation.

PRE-CYCLE
  • CMP
  • CBC
  • Serum Copper
  • Ceruloplasmin
DURING CYCLE
  • Serum Copper
POST-CYCLE
  • Serum Copper
  • CBC
Safety & Regulatory Status
FDA STATUS Not FDA-approved as a drug. Available OTC in cosmetic formulations. Non-injectable GHK-Cu is on FDA's interim Category 1 list as of the 2026-05-14 document — Category 1 is titled "Under Evaluation" and carries enforcement discretion, not authorization. Injectable GHK-Cu is in no category and has no lawful compounding route. FDA intends to consult PCAC on GHK-Cu before the end of February 2027.
WADA STATUS Not prohibited (as of 2026)

Regulatory status for GHK-Cu may change. Verify current status with your jurisdiction before use. This is not legal or medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu (copper peptide) is the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to a copper ion. It occurs naturally in human plasma, where levels decline with age. It is studied for skin rejuvenation, wound healing, collagen synthesis, and anti-aging gene signaling. It is most often used topically in cosmetic serums, and is not FDA-approved as a drug.
How does GHK-Cu work?
GHK-Cu acts as a copper-delivery and signaling molecule. It stimulates collagen and elastin production and supports tissue remodeling, and gene- expression analysis suggests it shifts the activity of a large number of human genes — upregulating DNA-repair, antioxidant, and stem-cell pathways while downregulating inflammatory ones — effects characterized largely in cell and laboratory studies.
What does the research on GHK-Cu show?
Foundational work by Pickart and colleagues reported that GHK can reset expression across thousands of human genes toward a healthier profile at very low concentrations (PMID 25302294) and described its role across multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration (PMID 26236730). Most evidence is preclinical (cell and animal studies) or small-scale cosmetic trials, not large human RCTs.
How is GHK-Cu dosed or applied?
The most common route is topical — over-the-counter serums at roughly 1–2% GHK-Cu, applied once or twice daily to clean skin, sometimes combined with microneedling for penetration. Injectable use for systemic anti-aging and wound healing is reported in community protocols at around 200–500 mcg daily in 4–8 week cycles. Injectable use is not medical advice.
Is GHK-Cu safe? What are the side effects?
Topical GHK-Cu is generally well tolerated; reported effects are mild and local, such as transient skin irritation or redness, and overuse of copper products can theoretically cause sensitivity. Injectable use lacks controlled human safety data. As with other peptides, pregnancy and breastfeeding are precautionary exclusions due to absent data.
Is GHK-Cu legal or FDA-approved?
GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved as a drug, but it is widely sold over the counter in cosmetic and skincare formulations, which are regulated as cosmetics rather than medicines. The route of administration matters: GHK-Cu "except for injectable routes of administration" is on FDA's interim Category 1 list. Category 1 is titled "Under Evaluation" — for those substances FDA has said it does not intend to take action provided the conditions in its guidance are met, which is enforcement discretion, not approval and not the same as being on the 503A bulks list. Injectable GHK-Cu is not in Category 1: the nominator withdrew the injectable route in 2026, so there is no lawful compounding route for injectable GHK-Cu. FDA intends to consult its advisory committee (PCAC) on GHK-Cu before the end of February 2027. It is not prohibited by WADA and is not DEA-scheduled.
What is GHK-Cu stacked with?
For skin and wound healing GHK-Cu is commonly paired with BPC-157 and TB-500 (the "Glow" and "Recovery" stacks) — GHK-Cu drives collagen and tissue remodeling while the others support angiogenesis and systemic repair. It is also combined with compounds like thymosin alpha-1 in anti- inflammatory protocols. Stacking is based on practitioner reports, not controlled trials.

References

  1. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International (2015). PMID: 26236730
  2. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018). PMID: 29986520
  3. Campbell, J.D., McDonough, J.E., Zeskind, J.E. et al.. A gene expression signature of emphysema-related lung destruction and its reversal by the tripeptide GHK. Genome Medicine (2012). PMID: 22937864
  4. Liu, T., Liu, Y., Zhao, X. et al.. Thermodynamically stable ionic liquid microemulsions pioneer pathways for topical delivery and peptide application. Bioactive Materials (2024). PMID: 38026438
  5. Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J.M., Margolina, A.. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International (2015). PMID: 26236730
  6. GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) for Acute Wound Healing.