GHK-Cu: dosing evidence
> Updated:
Human schedule
As an injectable reagent, GHK-Cu is used subcutaneously (SC), typically into soft abdominal tissue. The values below are generalized from described protocols and studies.
This is a concise reference to regimens described for adults; it is not an individual prescription.
GHK-Cu dosing in the schedule below climbs gradually, from 1 mg daily in the first two weeks to 2 mg later in the cycle, rather than starting at the upper bound: this peptide's effect depends on concentration in a non-linear way.
| Period / condition | Dose | Escalation |
|---|---|---|
| Start (≈first 2 weeks) | 1 mg subcutaneously daily, ~5 days/week | Starting dose |
| Later within the cycle | 2 mg subcutaneously daily | Increase if needed |
| Body-weight reference | 15–30 mcg/kg daily | Maximum in this schedule |
Practical dosing and effect details
A review by Pickart and Margolina (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018, volume 19) cites cell-culture data: GHK-Cu at 0.01, 1, and 100 nM, added to human dermal fibroblasts, raised collagen and elastin production at all three levels, while MMP1 and MMP2 gene expression rose specifically at the lowest, 0.01 nM, concentration.
These are cell-culture, nanomolar concentrations that cannot be equated directly with the milligram injected doses on this page: the units and context differ. But the underlying principle is the same and explains why the schedule here does not sit at the maximum from the start: the gradual escalation from 1 mg to 2 mg daily, with a 15-30 mcg/kg reference, reflects that GHK-Cu's effect does not necessarily scale in direct proportion to the dose.
This is reference information for planning a research protocol, not a medical recommendation and not instructions for self-administration.
This reference is research-use material. The information is not medical advice and is not intended for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease.