ghk-cu

ghk-cu (also known as GHK-Cu or Copper tripeptide-1) is a performance-enhancing peptide studied for its effects on skin and hair, healing, tissue repair. Naturally occurring copper tripeptide that stimulates collagen, wound healing, and hair growth. Used in cosmetics. Not FDA-approved; human trials remain small.

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. Plasma levels are roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 and decline to around 80 ng/mL by age 60, a fall that parallels the body's reduced regenerative capacity with age. The peptide has very high affinity for copper(II) ions and spontaneously assembles into the GHK-Cu complex, the form that carries most of its biological activity.

Overview

Research describes roles in skin remodeling and wound healing, stimulation of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, angiogenesis, and hair follicle stimulation.

Gene-expression studies report that GHK can shift the activity of a large number of human genes toward a healthier, younger profile.

It is used most widely as a topical cosmetic ingredient (INCI name Copper Tripeptide-1) in anti-aging and wound-care products, and is also used experimentally by injection in the research-peptide community.

GHK-Cu is not an approved drug; the strongest human data come from small topical cosmetic trials, while regenerative and protective effects beyond the skin are supported mainly by cell and animal studies.

Because it is not approved by any regulatory authority for human therapeutic use, injectable or systemic GHK-Cu is prohibited by WADA at all times as a non-approved substance under the S0 catch-all, the same basis that captures BPC-157; only the topical cosmetic form sits outside anti-doping scope.

Mechanism of action

Copper-binding tripeptide that supports skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, wound healing, and hair growth, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Used topically in cosmetics; deeper effects remain investigational.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

• Narrative reviews of anti-aging peptide therapeutics identify GHK-Cu as a dermal regeneration agent, while noting that non-approved peptides like it rest on promising preclinical work with only limited clinical evidence and no long-term safety data. ^[5][4] Preclinical
• In a randomized controlled trial of 13 patients recovering from CO2 laser skin resurfacing, a topical copper tripeptide regimen produced significantly higher patient-reported improvement in overall skin quality than the control regimen (P=0.04). ^[1] Phase II
• In the same randomized trial, blinded and computer-assisted assessment found no significant benefit of topical GHK-Cu for post-laser erythema resolution, wrinkles, or objectively rated skin quality, so the measurable effect was limited to subjective satisfaction. ^[1] Phase II
• Weekly intra-articular GHK-Cu after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rats reduced side-to-side knee laxity and increased graft stiffness at six weeks, but the advantage disappeared by twelve weeks once dosing stopped, with no change in ultimate load, gait, or histology. ^[2] Preclinical
• GHK-Cu reduced cigarette-smoke-induced skeletal muscle mass loss and grip-strength weakness in mice and reversed atrophy markers in cultured myotubes by binding and activating SIRT1. ^[3] Preclinical
• Plasma GHK levels were significantly lower in nine patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than in age-paired healthy subjects, and correlated with pectoralis muscle area. ^[3] Anecdotal

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

Topical

• 1-3% GHK-Cu serums or creams applied to skin or scalp

Cosmetic wound and skin formulations are the only human

• tested route

General

• Injectable use is experimental and not clinically established

Account for total copper load when combining with other copper

• containing products

Natty status

ghk-cu is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.^[6] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

The peptide has been the subject of 6 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Related compounds

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

References

1. ^ a b Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin (RCT, Arch Facial Plast Surg 2006)
2. ^ Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu transiently improves tendon healing (animal model, J Orthop Res 2015)
3. ^ a b GHK-Cu rescues cigarette-smoking-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction (preclinical, J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2023)
4. ^ Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives. Recent review
5. ^ Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging. Recent review
6. ^ a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

• Wikipedia article
• 50mg GHK-Cu — commercial