whatpeptidestostack
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GHK-Cu
A naturally occurring copper peptide studied mostly for skin remodeling and wound healing. Its strongest human result is an older randomized ulcer study.
The basics
| Human protocol on record | 5 figures |
|---|---|
| Animal or laboratory figures | 1 |
| Published records retrieved | 35 |
| Registered trials | 3 |
| Certificate of analysis | Published by the partner |
| Regulatory status | Research-grade material, no approved human use |
1. The protocol on record
Hard disclaimer. Figures below are transcribed from a published study or an approved label exactly as the source states them. They record what researchers administered in a trial population, not instructions for any person, and none of it is adjusted to you. Most compounds here have no approved human use. Do not act on any of it without a licensed prescriber who knows your history.
Amounts and schedules, human record
| Phase or model | Amount | Frequency | Timing | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study, diabetic neuropathic plantar ulcers | not stated (applied as a metered dose; no figure published) | daily | not stated (treatment commenced immediately after initial wound debridement) | topical (gel) | not stated | source |
| Open-label, prospective, single-arm pilot study, 1000 patients, scalp hair regrowth; injectable formulation combining copper tripeptide-1 with growth factors and thymosin beta-4 | not stated | once every 3 weeks | not stated | intradermal injection into the scalp | eight sessions (follow-up 2 months after completion and at 1 year) | source |
| Open-label, single-center study, scalp scrub plus a serum containing copper tripeptide-1 for mild to moderate dandruff | not stated | not stated (described as continuous use) | not stated | topical (scalp) | day 1 to day 15 | source |
| Open-label, prospective real-world study, gel containing copper tripeptide-1 for acne scars in females | not stated | not stated | not stated | topical | 45 days (assessments at day 21 and day 45) | source |
| Phase 2 trial, recruiting, acute skin wound healing (trial registration only; the cited record carries no protocol detail beyond title, phase and status) | not stated | not stated | not stated | topical (gel) | not stated | source |
Animal and laboratory models (not human figures)
| Phase or model | Amount | Frequency | Timing | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse model (C57BL/6), cigarette-smoke-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction | 0.2 and 2 mg/kg | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | source |
Half-life and why the schedule looks like that
No half-life, clearance figure, or duration of action is stated in the cited record for GHK-Cu. The record does state dosing frequencies in human studies without stating any half-life behind them: - Daily topical application of a metered dose of a GHK-Cu gel in a diabetic neuropathic ulcer study (PMID: 17147644). - Intradermal scalp injection once every 3 weeks for eight sessions of a multi-active formulation containing copper tripeptide-1 (PMID: 29482481). - Continuous topical scalp use from day 1 to day 15 in a dandruff regimen study (PMID: 39449909). - Topical use over 45 days in an acne scar gel study (PMID: 41001334). No source in the record explains why any of these frequencies was cho
Handling and storage
- Lyophilised storage: Not stated in the cited record. - Storage after reconstitution: Not stated in the cited record. - Temperature: no storage temperature is stated. A preformulation study reports that GHK-Cu was stable in water and in pH 4.5 to 7.4 buffers for at least two weeks at 60 °C; the study presents this as a stressed-condition stability test, not as a storage condition (PMID: 25384620). - Light: Not stated in the cited record. - Stability duration and degradation: the same preformulation study reports that GHK-Cu was susceptible to hydrolytic cleavage under basic and oxidative stress and to a lesser extent acidic stress, with first-order degradation profiles, and that one identified degradation product was the amino acid histidine. It was compatible with Span 60 based niosomes
These figures summarise what published research and approved labels describe. They are educational, not a recommendation or a personal protocol. Any dose, schedule, or decision to use a compound belongs with a licensed prescriber.
Open the interactive builder for reconstitution maths and a calendar →
2. Safety and harm reduction
Reported adverse effects
| Effect | How often reported | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ulcer infection | 7% in the GHK-Cu gel group versus 34% in the vehicle group (p < 0.05) | Multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded, placebo-controlled study, adults with diabetic neuropathic plantar ulcers | PMID: 17147644 |
| No local or systemic adverse effects were reported | None reported | Open-label, prospective real-world study, females with acne scars, topical gel containing copper tripeptide-1 in a multi-ingredient blend | PMID: 41001334 |
| No specific adverse effect named; treatment described as well tolerated under physical examination, questionnaires and laboratory examination | Frequency not stated | Open-label, single-arm pilot study, 1000 patients receiving intradermal scalp injections of a multi-active formulation containing copper tripeptide-1 | PMID: 29482481 |
| No significant systemic toxicity reported at the studied doses | Frequency not stated | Mouse model of silicosis | PMID: 38879894 |
Cautions stated in the literature
- Unapproved peptides marketed direct to patients, GHK-Cu among them, have scarce rigorous human safety data, and there is potential for serious harm to patients (PMID: 41966639).
- Emerging peptides including GHK-Cu are often perceived as low risk despite an absence of efficacy or safety data, and significant heterogeneity exists in dosing and route of administration (PMID: 42578445).
- Most of these peptide therapies remain unapproved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and clinical evidence in humans is limited; the review states their use should be guided by careful clinical judgment and ongoing evaluation of emerging evidence (PMID: 42635865).
- Further studies are needed before most new peptides can be used safely in humans (PMID: 42123471).
- A systematic review of GHK-Cu in aesthetic medicine notes a paucity of standardized clinical guidelines and that findings are constrained by methodological variability and a limited number of well-designed clinical trials (PMID: 42619529).
Stop and get help
- A severe reaction, or any reaction that is worsening rather than resolving.
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face or airway, or difficulty breathing.
- Signs of infection at an application or injection site, such as spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever.
- Any unexpected and persistent symptom that begins after exposure, whether or not it appears in this record.
Pairings
Mentioned together
BPC-157 and GHK-Cu
Named together in the same review articles, but never tested together. We say that plainly here, and show why researchers list them side by side.
Open the pairing brief →Mentioned together
CJC-1295 and GHK-Cu
Named together in the same review articles, but never tested together. We say that plainly here, and show why researchers list them side by side.
Open the pairing brief →Mentioned together
GHK-Cu and Ipamorelin
Named together in the same review articles, but never tested together. We say that plainly here, and show why researchers list them side by side.
Open the pairing brief →Co-administered
GHK-Cu and TB-500
Two peptides discussed for wound healing. One early human pilot put both in the same multi-ingredient formula, which is not the same as testing the pair.
Open the pairing brief →Links to Peptara Labs are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission when you buy through them.
GHK-Cu at Peptara Labs
Open the GHK-Cu pageRead the third-party certificate of analysis first. Research-grade material, research use only.