What is GHK-Cu (Copper peptide)?
A copper-binding tripeptide present since birth.
GHK-Cu (Copper peptide) in the library · Healing & Repair Peptides · Cosmetic & Skin Peptides · Human Trials · What are peptides?
1 registered trials · 2 indexed papers · 28 human / 37 animal studies
From the PeptideWhiz library entry. "As described" sections summarize claims made in the sources; they are not PeptideWhiz endorsements.
What it is
A copper-binding tripeptide present since birth. Blood levels fall ~60% between age 20 and 60, and it's released at sites of injury. Framed as the foundation anti-aging peptide.
Mechanism (as described)
- Genes: resets 4,000+ genes, switching remodeling on when needed and off for stability.
- Cell entry: enters via LRP1. Has receptors in most tissues.
- Mitochondria: delivers copper to mitochondria, protects cardiolipin, raises PGC-1α and ATP. Mobilizes adult stem cells.
- Inflammation:
- NF-κB down sharply, TNF-α/IL-6 down.
- Stabilizes mast cells (about half the histamine release) and raises annexin A1.
- Shifts macrophages away from a destructive phenotype.
- Metabolic: improves insulin-sensitivity markers.
- Tissue:
- Collagen, elastin, GAGs and hyaluronic acid up.
- Fibroblasts reactivated.
- Restores collagen cross-linking in joints.
- Balances MMP/TIMP across the three wound phases (inflammation → proliferation → remodeling).
- Anti-fibrotic (TGF-β).
- Brain: crosses the blood-brain barrier. Raises SOD1 and neurite growth; less stroke damage; myelin genes.
- Hair: VEGF up, follicle inflammation down, DHT pathway down, copper for melanin.
- Organs:
- Heart: smaller infarcts.
- Kidney: less fibrosis and proteinuria.
- Liver: anti-fibrotic.
Additional points (as described)
- Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase (collagen and elastin cross-linking in artery walls), so falling copper with age is linked to stiffer arteries. Complex IV of the electron chain contains copper, which is the reason GHK-Cu is included in mitochondrial stacks even alongside MOTS-c, SS-31 and NAD+.
- After training, it shifts macrophages toward repair. In the liver, it opposes fibrosis signaling.
- Hair loss and rosacea: helpful, but look for root causes too (gut, mites/parasites, B2, stool testing).
- Described alongside TB-500 for heart scarring and Cerebrolysin for brain plasticity.
Registered human trials (1)
| Trial | Phase | Status | Year | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topical GHK-Cu Gel for Acute Skin Wound Healing | Phase 2 | recruiting | 2026 | 60 |
Peer-reviewed studies (2)
| Paper | Authors | Journal | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle-aged mice treated with GHK-Cu peptide administered intraperitoneally or intranasally show behavioral rescue but divergent hippocampal aging programs | Mazzola J et al. | Research square | 2026 | Preprint |
| Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin | Miller TR et al. | Archives of facial plastic surgery | 2006 | Randomized Controlled Trial |
More cited research
- The Regenerative Potential of GHK-Cu in Aesthetic Medicine (2026, human observational)
- Dimeric copper peptide incorporated hydrogel for promoting diabetic wound healing (2025, human observational)
- An Assessment of the Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of a Novel Scalp Treatment Regimen Combining a Hydroxy Acid-Based Scrub and Copper Tripeptide Serum in t (2024, human observational)
- An Artificial Neural Network Based Analysis of Factors Controlling Particle Size in a Virgin Coconut Oil-Based Nanoemulsion System Containing Copper Peptide (2016, human observational)
- Copper peptide activated cascade catalysis for glucose regulation and hypoxia reversing in infected diabetic wound healing (2026, animal)
- Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ (GHK-Cu) Attenuates CuSO4 or LPS induced-inflammation in Zebrafish larvae model (2026, animal)
- Middle-aged mice treated with GHK-Cu peptide administered intraperitoneally or intranasally show behavioral rescue but divergent hippocampal aging programs (2026, animal)
- The GHK-Cu delays aging in Caenorhabditis elegans via coordinated regulation of mitochondrial function and activation of DAF-16/SKN-1 pathways (2026, animal)
Conditions researched
- Anti-aging & longevity
- Skin, hair loss, wounds & mast-cell/histamine reactivity
- Tendon, ligament, muscle & joint injuries (incl. athletes)
- Kidney protection (CKD, diabetic kidney, lupus kidney)
- Lung health, asthma & COPD
- Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease & high blood pressure
- Gut: IBD (Crohn's, colitis), leaky gut, IBS & ulcers
- Female fertility
- Recurrent vaginal infections & vaginal atrophy
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
- Endometriosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus (SLE)
- Mold illness (mycotoxin exposure)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Dementia, Alzheimer's & cognitive decline
- Parkinson's disease
- Chronic pain: fibromyalgia & CRPS
- Cognition, focus & brain performance
- Concussion, traumatic brain injury & stroke recovery
- Fatty liver & elevated liver enzymes
- Gum disease (periodontal) & oral health
- Heart repair: after heart attack, heart failure & enlarged heart
- Lyme disease & chronic infections
- Osteoarthritis, cartilage loss & avoiding joint replacement
- Rosacea
- Eczema
- Acne
- Neuropathy and CRPS
- Carpal tunnel
- Hemorrhoids and fissures
- Cellulite
- Bell's palsy
- Varicose veins
- Male fertility and sperm
- Dry and flaky skin
- Lipedema
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety notes
- Chronic and systemic inflammation
- Fat loss, obesity & body recomposition
- High ferritin and iron overload
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Lipomas
- Loose skin
- Muscle gain, sarcopenia & building muscle after 40
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Thick blood and blood clots
Related compounds
- GHK (Copper-Free)
- BPC-157
- Glutathione
- ACTH (Corticotropin)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- IGF-1 LR3
- Insulin (regular human)
- L-Carnitine
- Endothelin-1
- Copper (Supplement)
FAQ
What is GHK-Cu (Copper peptide)?
A copper-binding tripeptide present since birth.
How many registered human trials study GHK-Cu (Copper peptide)?
The PeptideWhiz trial index lists 1 registered trial for GHK-Cu (Copper peptide), the most recent from 2026.
How much published research exists on GHK-Cu (Copper peptide)?
The PeptideWhiz paper index links 2 PubMed papers to GHK-Cu (Copper peptide); by study type, 28 human and 37 animal studies.
Which conditions is GHK-Cu (Copper peptide) researched for?
Anti-aging & longevity, Skin, hair loss, wounds & mast-cell/histamine reactivity, Tendon, ligament, muscle & joint injuries (incl. athletes), Kidney protection (CKD, diabetic kidney, lupus kidney), Lung health, asthma & COPD, Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease & high blood pressure, Gut: IBD (Crohn's, colitis), leaky gut, IBS & ulcers, Female fertility, Recurrent vaginal infections & vaginal atrophy, Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), Endometriosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus (SLE), Mold illness (mycotoxin exposure), Multiple sclerosis, Dementia, Alzheimer's & cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, Chronic pain: fibromyalgia & CRPS, Cognition, focus & brain performance, Concussion, traumatic brain injury & stroke recovery, Fatty liver & elevated liver enzymes, Gum disease (periodontal) & oral health, Heart repair: after heart attack, heart failure & enlarged heart, Lyme disease & chronic infections, Osteoarthritis, cartilage loss & avoiding joint replacement, Rosacea, Eczema, Acne, Neuropathy and CRPS, Carpal tunnel, Hemorrhoids and fissures, Cellulite, Bell's palsy, Varicose veins, Male fertility and sperm, Dry and flaky skin, Lipedema, Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety notes, Chronic and systemic inflammation, Fat loss, obesity & body recomposition, High ferritin and iron overload, Hyperparathyroidism, Lipomas, Loose skin, Muscle gain, sarcopenia & building muscle after 40, Swollen feet and ankles, Thick blood and blood clots.
Research and education only. Not medical advice. No dosing guidance. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov registry and PubMed via the PeptideWhiz index (204,289 studies).