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GHK-Cu

Also sold as Copper Peptide, Copper Tripeptide-1.

Half-life
2 h
Steady state
~0 d
Class
Skin / Healing
Category
Peptide

Published population averages. Steady state is the usual five half-life rule of thumb, not a measurement. See peptide half-life, explained.

Overview

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. Plasma levels decline with age from ~200 ng/ml at age 20 to ~80 ng/ml by age 60. It has been extensively studied for skin remodeling, wound healing, and anti-aging properties.

How it works

Serves as a copper delivery vehicle that activates copper-dependent enzymes (lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase). Stimulates collagen I, III, and elastin synthesis, promotes decorin and glycosaminoglycan production, attracts immune cells for wound repair, increases angiogenesis, and modulates 4,000+ human genes — resetting many back to a 'younger' expression pattern.

Half-life and peak

Plasma half-life is approximately 2 hours. Rapidly taken up by tissues, particularly skin and connective tissue. Copper remains bound in target tissue longer than the peptide scaffold persists. Topical GHK-Cu penetrates skin within 1 hour.

What it is studied for

Skin regeneration and anti-aging, wound healing, hair growth, collagen synthesis, anti-inflammatory effects, potential lung remodeling in COPD, gene expression modulation.

Research status

Extensively studied in vitro and in animal models. Topical formulations commercially available. Injectable form used off-label. No FDA drug approval. Over 100 published studies on tissue remodeling.

Sources

Educational reference only. This page describes what is published about a compound; it is not medical advice, not a recommendation to take anything, and not a dosing guide. Several compounds in this catalog are investigational and are not approved medicines. Talk to a doctor.