GHK-Cu
Findings, possible implications, and reported experiences.
About GHK-Cu
Also known as copper tripeptide-1
GHK-Cu is a copper complex of the naturally occurring tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. It has been studied in skin, wound and tissue-remodeling research. [1][2]
Start with the research
An outcome-specific synthesis has not been prepared for this compound. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that it has no effect.
Open studies and trial records- Uses & research
A small human randomized study evaluated a topical GHK-Cu preparation after carbon-dioxide laser resurfacing; other cited work examined ligament repair in rats. These findings do not establish systemic performance effects. [1][2]
- Known half-life
No source-verified value in this profile yet. A treatment schedule or duration of an effect is not a drug half-life.
Half-life describes how quickly the measured drug concentration falls by half. It does not set a dosing interval.- Evidence & important limits
In the cited human study, objective measures did not show a significant difference in erythema, wrinkles or overall skin quality, although participant satisfaction differed. Formulation, route and outcome limit generalization; systemic safety and performance uses remain uncertain. [1]
Safety & evidence boundaries
In the cited human study, objective measures did not show a significant difference in erythema, wrinkles or overall skin quality, although participant satisfaction differed. Formulation, route and outcome limit generalization; systemic safety and performance uses remain uncertain.
Explore safety questions by system
These are literature filters, not claims that this compound causes each effect. A keyword match is not a confirmed adverse reaction.
Identity, names & formulations
Canonical compound: GHK-Cu · ghkcu
Searchable names: copper tripeptide-1
Names share a parent research page. Different esters, salts, routes and brands are not assumed to have the same half-life, indication or exposure.
Combination evidence stays attached to the studied combination. It is not automatically assigned to each ingredient.
Understand the evidence types
Read the model and design first, then the population, outcome and limitations. These categories describe evidence, not a best-compound ranking.
- Randomized human trials
- Compare assigned interventions. Randomization does not by itself establish low bias or relevance to every population.
- Controlled human studies
- Use a comparison group; allocation and confounding still matter.
- Prospective human research
- Follows participants forward. It may be observational or interventional, so this is not a separate quality grade.
- Observational human research
- Describes associations. Confounding can explain differences.
- Case reports and series
- Useful for unusual events and safety signals, not reliable rates or effect sizes.
- Animal research
- Can test biology and function in a living model. Human exposure, benefit and safety remain separate questions.
- Cell and tissue research
- Tests responses in a preparation, including human-derived cells. It is not a human participant trial.
- Mechanistic and computational evidence
- Helps explain or predict a pathway; predictions need experimental and clinical testing.
- Anecdotal reports
- Self-reported experiences can generate questions. Product identity, selection bias and other interventions may be uncontrolled.
Systematic reviews synthesize studies and depend on their quality. Preprint status and abstract versus full-paper reading are separate labels. Citation popularity measures attention, not reliability. A study summary is not a formal quality appraisal.
Sources for this profile
- 1. Pickart et al., GHK-Cu after laser resurfacing (2006) Randomized human study · topical skin preparation
- 2. GHK-Cu and ACL repair in rats Animal study · rat ligament model
Reference facts checked 2026-09-16. Source scope is listed above; this is not a formal quality appraisal. See each label for full prescribing information.
Study model describes the source. Confidence depends on methods, replication, population and outcome.
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