Research-only educational guide

GHK-Cu Dosage Calculator and Chart

A structured, research-context summary of the published literature discussed in the provided guide on GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine–copper), including dosing structures described in experimental contexts, mechanistic discussion points, and reported topical/systemic research applications.

GHK-Cu Dosage Chart: Quick Breakdown

The table below summarizes the dosing structure described in the provided guide as an informational reference only (not a clinical guideline).

Example cycle structure described in the guide (informational reference only).
Timeline Daily dosage (research context) Notes
Days 1–30 1–2 mg/day Discussed as a common daily exposure structure in the guide’s research-summary dosing narrative. [2]
Days 31–60 Washout Cycle pause / washout period described in the guide’s chart.
Days 61+ Repeat cycle as needed Repeat structure described in the guide’s chart.

What Is GHK-Cu?

GHK is described as a tripeptide composed of glycine, histidine, and lysine, and it binds copper to form GHK-Cu (often referred to as a copper peptide / copper tripeptide). [1]

The guide discusses GHK-Cu in the context of tissue repair biology, gene-expression modulation, and skin/hair research applications, including discussion of “resetting” gene expression patterns associated with inflammation and tissue degradation. [2]

Mechanistic discussion highlights (as described)

  • Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures is discussed in the cited literature. [3]
  • Modulation of proteoglycans (including decorin-related discussion) is described in the cited wound/tissue literature. [4]
  • Broad pathway modulation in skin regeneration contexts is summarized in the cited review literature. [5]

Benefits of GHK-Cu (Research Context)

The items below summarize research areas and outcomes discussed in the guide and its reference list. These are research findings, not clinical claims.

Skin regeneration / remodeling

  • Skin regeneration pathway modulation and cosmetic outcome discussion appears in review literature. [5]
  • Tissue remodeling discussion in relation to GHK is described in a dedicated review. [6]
  • Collagen synthesis stimulation is described in fibroblast culture work. [3]

Wound / ulcer contexts

  • Enhanced ulcer healing with topical GHK-Cu is described in a clinical context in the cited literature. [7]
  • Wound matrix component modulation is discussed in the wound literature. [4]

Nerve regeneration (experimental)

  • Upregulation of growth factors and inflammatory mediators during nerve regeneration is described in the cited peripheral nerve work. [8]
  • Gene-expression discussion relevant to nervous system function appears in the cited gene-expression paper. [11]

Oxidative stress / aging-related discussion

  • Oxidative stress and degenerative-condition discussion (including cognitive-health context) is described in the cited review. [13]
  • Gene-data / protective action discussion is described in the cited review. [1]

GHK-Cu for Anti-Aging / Skin (Research)

The guide describes cosmetic/skin research interest in GHK-Cu and summarizes reported outcomes in small human topical studies and broader review literature, including improved appearance measures after multi-week topical use. [5]

Topical comparison study (as cited)

A pilot study compared topical formulations including a copper-binding peptide cream and other actives; this is discussed as a limited evidence base. [10]

Skin penetration / retention

Skin retention and penetration of a copper tripeptide is evaluated in vitro across skin layers in the cited study. [14]

GHK-Cu for Healing (Research)

Healing-related discussion in the guide includes tissue repair biology and wound research contexts. The cited literature includes clinical and preclinical work spanning ulcers and wound repair models. [4,7,9]

Ulcer outcomes (clinical context)

Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical GHK-Cu is described in the cited work. [7]

Scald wound model (animal)

GHK-Cu liposomes and scald wound healing in mice (cell proliferation and angiogenesis discussion) is described in the cited study. [9]

GHK-Cu for Hair Growth (Research)

Hair-related discussion in the guide cites both broader hair-growth research and topical formulation studies. [12,15]

Hair-growth research overview

Chemical agents and peptides affecting hair growth are discussed in the cited dermatology literature. [12]

Topical complex study (as cited)

A topical complex including 5-aminolevulinic acid and a glycyl-histidyl-lysine peptide is evaluated for hair growth in the cited study. [15]

GHK-Cu for Muscle Growth (Research)

The guide notes limited human clinical trial data supporting direct muscle-growth effects, and frames the topic as an area where further research is needed. Broader discussion of inflammation/oxidative stress pathways and tissue remodeling appears in the cited literature. [6,13]

Dosage Guide (Research Context)

The guide’s dosing narrative describes a daily exposure structure and notes topical, parenteral, and other delivery discussions in research contexts. Evidence and mechanistic background for these discussions is primarily reviewed across the cited literature. [1,2]

Commonly described injectable exposure (as summarized)

Parameter Guide summary (informational reference only)
Dose 1–2 mg per day [2]
Frequency Once per day; some discussions describe splitting the daily dose [2]
Cycle duration 30 days [2]
Washout Chart describes a washout period after the initial 30-day block.

This is presented strictly as a research-summary reference. It is not a clinical recommendation.

Safety-related note (as discussed)

The guide’s discussion references that GHK can lower blood pressure and frames very high-dose toxicity discussion in a research context. [13]

Bacteriostatic Water & Lab Supplies

The guide lists commonly required materials for peptide handling in laboratory workflows. The table below reflects those items as a simple checklist (no sourcing / sales content).

Category Examples (as listed)
Diluent Bacteriostatic water
Syringes Insulin syringes; large needles + syringes
Aseptic supplies Alcohol prep pads
Containers Sterile empty glass vials

Always follow your institution’s aseptic technique, storage, labeling, and disposal requirements.

Verdict (Research Summary)

The cited literature discussed in the guide spans skin regeneration and tissue remodeling [5,6], wound/ulcer contexts [7,9], and broader gene-expression / protective-action discussion points [1,2,13].

Because dosing and outcomes vary by model, formulation, and endpoint, the material above should be interpreted strictly as research discussion and confined to controlled laboratory or regulated clinical research contexts where applicable.

References

  1. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 7;19(7):1987. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071987. PMID: 29986520; PMCID: PMC6073405.
  2. Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2014). GHK and DNA: resetting the human genome to health. BioMed Research International, 151479. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/151479
  3. Maquart, F. X., Pickart, L., Laurent, M., Gillery, P., Monboisse, J. C., & Borel, J. P. (1988). Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide‐copper complex glycyl‐L‐histidyl‐L‐lysine‐Cu2+. FEBS letters, 238(2), 343-346. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x
  4. Siméon, A., Wegrowski, Y., Bontemps, Y., & Maquart, F. X. (2000). Expression of glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide–copper complex glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu2+. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 115(6), 962-968.
  5. Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2015). GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International, 648108. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/648108
  6. Pickart, L. (2008). The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 19(8), 969-988.
  7. Mulder, G. D., Patt, L. M., Sanders, L., Rosenstock, J., Altman, M. I., Hanley, M. E., & Duncan, G. W. (1994). Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl‐l‐histidyl‐l‐lysine copper. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 2(4), 259-269.
  8. Ahmed, M. R., Basha, S. H., Gopinath, D., Muthusamy, R., & Jayakumar, R. (2005). Initial upregulation of growth factors and inflammatory mediators during nerve regeneration in the presence of cell adhesive peptide‐incorporated collagen tubes. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 10(1), 17-30.
  9. Wang X, Liu B, Xu Q, Sun H, Shi M, Wang D, Guo M, Yu J, Zhao C, Feng B. GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Wound Repair Regen. 2017 Apr;25(2):270-278. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12520. Epub 2017 Apr 27. PMID: 28370978.
  10. Abdulghani, A. A., Sherr, A., Shirin, S., Solodkina, G., Tapia, E. M., Wolf, B., & Gottlieb, A. B. (1998). Effects of topical creams containing vitamin C, a copper-binding peptide cream and melatonin compared with tretinoin on the ultrastructure of normal skin-A pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study. Disease Management and Clinical Outcomes, 4(1), 136-141.
  11. Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2017). The effect of the human peptide GHK on gene expression relevant to nervous system function and cognitive decline. Brain Sciences, 7(2), 20.
  12. Uno, H., & Kurata, S. (1993). Chemical agents and peptides affect hair growth. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 101(1), S143-S147. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-202X(93)90516-K
  13. Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2012). The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2012. Doi: 10.1155/2012/324832
  14. Hostynek, J. J., Dreher, F., & Maibach, H. I. (2010). Human skin retention and penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as function of skin layer towards anti-inflammatory therapy. Inflammation Research, 59(11), 983-988.
  15. Lee, W. J., Sim, H. B., Jang, Y. H., Lee, S. J., Kim, doW., & Yim, S. H. (2016). Efficacy of a Complex of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine Peptide on Hair Growth. Annals of dermatology, 28(4), 438–443. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2016.28.4.438

Educational content for research discussion only. Not medical advice.