Titus Thorne
Titus ThorneResearchers interested in investigating peptides for skin repair and hair growth may be curious about how to calculate GHK-Cu dosage for their next experiment.
Past studies have shown that GHK-Cu offers numerous positive biological actions including:
- Tissue repair
- Cell protection
- Anti-cancer properties
- Anti-inflammatory actions
Yet despite significant interest in GHK-Cu, comparatively little is known about how this peptide should be dosed in experimental settings.
This GHK-Cu dosage calculator and guide will highlight the main benefits of this peptide and illuminate possible avenues for further research. Dosages used in past studies will be discussed in the context of calculating appropriate and effective GHK-Cu doses in future experiments.
Let’s dig in!
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What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a peptide — a short chain of amino acids — that is made up of three amino acids:
- Glycine
- Histidine
- Lysine
Together these three amino acids form GHK, or glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine [1].
GHK bonds easily to copper, thereby becoming GHK-Cu. That is why it is also called copper peptide or copper tripeptide. GHK-Cu is produced naturally in our bodies and is found in blood, saliva, and urine.
GHK-Cu seems to play a sizable role in repairing DNA in cells [2]. DNA is essentially a blueprint that cells use when they split and create new cells. When the DNA gets damaged, as is normal over time, that can result in poorer duplication of cells and impaired ability to generate new tissue. GHK-Cu helps repair and reset the DNA, leading to improved tissue growth [2].
When we age, the genes that are involved in inflammation and tissue destruction become more active. The genes that regenerate and repair tissue become less active. GHK-Cu appears to help turn back the clock:
It reactivates the regenerative genes and deactivates the inflammatory and destructive ones [2].
GHK-Cu has also been linked to several other processes that support tissue creation and has been found to:
- Stimulate the synthesis of collagen in skin cells [3]
- Increase the accumulation of protein [3]
- Increase synthesis of decorin [4]
- Stimulate the synthesis of metalloproteinases
- Suppress the production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 [2]
- Stimulate antioxidant gene activity [2]
Essentially, GHK-Cu is believed to help the body break down old tissue, repair DNA, and create new, healthier tissue.
Benefits of GHK-Cu?
There are numerous potential benefits associated with GHK-Cu administration.
Here is a breakdown of potential benefits reported in the literature:
- Anti-pain action [1]
- Anti-anxiety effects [1]
- Anti-aggression effects [1]
- Antioxidant protection [1]
- Repairing wounds [2]
- Lung and gut tissue healing [2]
- Hair growth [2]
- Skin repair, wrinkle reduction, and anti-aging effects [5]
- Tissue remodeling [6]
- Antibacterial effects and infection reduction [7]
- Nerve regeneration [8]
Below, we’ll go deeper into the main potential benefits of GHK-Cu.
P.S: Curious about side effects of GHK-Cu? Click here.
GHK-Cu for Anti-Aging/Skin
GHK-Cu is probably best known for its supposed anti-aging properties.
It has been well-studied as an anti-aging agent and is considered to be an activator of tissue remodeling. In one animal study, GHK-Cu was found to promote cell proliferation and angiogenesis, thereby accelerating scald wound healing. This research has been used to support its inclusion in many cosmetic products [9].
In one study involving women with sun-damaged skin, GHK-Cu treatment removed visible signs of aging after 12 weeks. It improved skin firmness, elasticity, and clarity as well as reduced wrinkles and fine lines [5]. The peptide showed similar results in a separate clinical trial and outperformed products containing vitamin K, vitamin C, and retinoic acid in reducing skin aging [10].
Based on Dr. Loren Pickart’s work, GHK-Cu has been shown to [5]:
- Tighten skin
- Improve elasticity and firmness
- Improve skin density
- Reduce deep wrinkles and fine lines
- Reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
GHK-Cu for Healing
GHK-Cu has potential uses as a healing agent.
It has not only been shown to help wounds close faster with less chance of infection, but it also seems to be involved in healing ulcers and regenerating lung tissue [1, 2]. It does so by repairing DNA, accelerating tissue growth, and increasing levels of antioxidant enzymes. Separate research has shown that GHK-Cu peptide helps slow down the growth of cancerous tissue and prevent its formation [4, 11].
GHK-Cu for Hair Growth
A number of studies have suggested that GHK may be beneficial for hair growth. Data from these studies indicates that GHK-Cu may increase hair follicle size and thus improve hair growth and thickness [1, 2, 13].
This research suggests that GHK-Cu may be beneficial in subjects suffering from hair loss or hair thinning, clearly highlighting a possible avenue for further research [13].
GHK-Cu for Muscle Growth
There is no published data from human clinical trials to support the notion that GHK-Cu stimulates muscle growth. However, given that it has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity [6], GHK-Cu may decrease recovery time following resistance training. There is a clear need for more research in this area.
Now that we’ve reviewed the main potential benefits of GHK-Cu, let’s now turn our attention to the question at hand: what is the proper way to dose this peptide?
GHK-Cu Dosage Guide | What Researchers MUST Know
Based on the available research, GHK-Cu is considered to be safe and well-tolerated when administered to test subjects [1]. According to Dr. Pickart, credited with discovering GHK-CU:
“No issues (involving GHK-Cu) have ever arisen during its use as a skin cosmetic or in human wound healing studies” [2].
That said, researchers may find it useful to have a bit of background on past GHK-Cu dosing protocols:
Minimum Effective Dose
The lowest known doses of GHK-Cu administered to test subjects involve the application of skin creams and topical ointments. Skin creams containing GHK-Cu are usually applied once or twice a day to affected areas—usually to the face for skin tightening and wrinkles, to the scalp for hair growth, or other areas for scars or wound healing [10]. When administered in this manner, GHK-Cu appears to be non-toxic and non-irritating with no adverse effects [2].
When injected, there is little data to indicate the minimum effective dose of GHK-Cu [11]. Where GHK-Cu is sold as a powder that is reconstituted for injection, a typical starting dose is 1 mg per day over a treatment course.
CHK-Cu Injections
Subcutaneous injections are a common way to administer GHK-Cu to test subjects for the purpose of studying systemic healing, skin rejuvenation, and hair growth.
Researchers and anti-aging doctors typically administer 1-2 mg/daily of GHK-Cu over the course of a 30-day treatment.
Skin Creams and Patches
GHK-Cu skin creams and patches seem to be able to pass therapeutically effective amounts of this copper peptide through the skin and into the body [14].
- 0.5 micrograms/kg seems to be effective as a daily dose for lowering anxiety. That would be 35 μgs for a 70kg person [15].
- 50 mg seems to be effective as a person’s daily dose for systemic healing [11].
Of course, topicals may vary in their formulas and exact GHK-Cu content, so it is always prudent to read the instructions for the product before administering it to test subjects.
Liposomal Encapsulated Oral Tablets
There is no evidence that administering GHK-Cu in regular pill form produces any effects, as it is broken down in the intestines.
However, research indicates that liposomal encapsulated tablets may be effective when dosed at 10 mg per day or more [11].
Recommended Dose
As a research peptide, there is no “recommended dose” for GHK-Cu. However, a review of the available literature suggests that researchers have previously dosed it in the following ways [2]:
- GHK-Cu Dose: 1-2 mg per day, injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
- Frequency: Once per day. You can also split the dose into several smaller injections.
- Duration of Cycle: 30 days.
We do not encourage the unsupervised self-administration of GHK-Cu or any other research peptide — under any circumstances.
Lethal Dose
GHK can lower blood pressure, so a large enough dose may have serious consequences.
However, the lethal dose of GHK-Cu peptide is very high – around 21,000 mg for a 70kg human (or about 330 mg/kg) [13].
Where to Buy GHK-Cu Online? | 2023 Edition
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Bacteriostatic Water for Injection
To correctly handle peptides such as GHK-Cu, researchers must use a standard set of tools, including — sterile needles, bacteriostatic water, and alcohol wipes.
The important task of gathering all these materials may be a challenge for some researchers. If you find yourself struggling to get equipped, don’t worry! Just click the link below:
The deluxe starter research kit is a great choice to jumpstart your experimentation, complete with:
- Bacteriostatic Water (30mL) – 3x
- Insulin Syringes (0.5 cc/mL x 29g x ½) – 100x
- Alcohol Prep Pads – 200x
- Sterile Empty Glass Vial (10mL) – 1x
- Large Needles + Syringes Combo (3cc x 21g x 1) – 10x
More seasoned analysts may prefer the premium research kit, which boasts:
- Bacteriostatic Water (30mL) – 5x
- Insulin Syringes (0.5 cc/mL x 29g x ½) – 200x
- Alcohol Prep Pads – 200x
- Sterile Empty Glass Vial (10mL) – 2x
- Large Needles + Syringes Combo (3cc x 21g x 1) – 20x
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GHK-Cu Dosage | Verdict
Hopefully, this guide has answered the questions of researchers interested in calculating the optimum GHK-Cu dosage for their next experiment.
Based on our review of the available research, doses of 1-2 mg per day of reconstituted injectable GHK-Cu offer numerous therapeutic benefits in test subjects including anti-inflammatory action, tissue repair, hair growth, and more.
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