topical

GHK

Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine

GHK at a glance

Not on either FDA list

How studies gave it

Applied to the skin

Evidence on this page

3 peer-reviewed papers, published 2008 to 2018

FDA compounding lists

It appears on neither of the two FDA compounding tables.

What it is

A naturally occurring tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) first isolated from human plasma in 1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart. GHK is present in plasma at ~200 ng/mL in youth, declining to ~80 ng/mL by age 60. It is released from collagen and the glycoprotein SPARC during tissue injury, functioning as a matrikine signal peptide that coordinates wound repair.

GHK has extremely high affinity for copper(II) ions and naturally forms the GHK-Cu complex in vivo; this entry covers the base tripeptide without copper. GHK independently possesses antioxidant activity, quenching hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals and neutralizing toxic lipid peroxidation aldehydes like 4-hydroxynonenal. Connectivity Map analysis showed GHK modulates expression of approximately 31% of human genes, with broad effects on DNA repair, anti-inflammatory, and tissue remodeling pathways. Note: for the copper-complexed form, see ghk-cu.

Published research

GHK was first characterized as a liver cell growth factor from human plasma (Pickart, 1973). Subsequent research demonstrated effects on collagen I/III synthesis, elastin production, glycosaminoglycan production, metalloproteinase regulation, and growth factor release (VEGF, BDNF, BMP-2, FGF) at picomolar-to-nanomolar concentrations.

Broad Institute Connectivity Map analysis revealed GHK modulates ~31.2% of all human genes (at ≥50% change), including upregulation of 47 DNA repair genes. A multi-institutional study demonstrated GHK could reverse gene expression signatures associated with COPD/emphysema. The peptide also possesses independent antioxidant activity, quenching hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals.

Most research has been conducted on the copper-complexed form (GHK-Cu); the base tripeptide's independent biological activity is less extensively characterized in isolation. No human clinical trials exist for GHK as a standalone therapeutic agent.

What the terms on this page mean7 terms

tripeptide: A peptide three amino acids long. Pentapeptide means five, and so on.
plasma: The clear liquid part of blood, once the cells are taken out.
peptide: A short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
in vivo: In a living animal or person, rather than in a dish.
BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein involved in keeping nerve cells alive and forming new connections.
upregulation: The body producing more of something than it otherwise would.
clinical trial: A study that tests something in people under a written plan, with results recorded.

Compounding status

Not on either FDA list

FDA listing: GHK appears on neither FDA's category 2 table nor its table of withdrawn nominations.
What that means: Absence from both lists is not permission to compound. Section 503A allows a bulk drug substance only where a USP or NF monograph exists, or the substance is a component of an FDA-approved drug product, or it appears on the 503A bulks list.
Note: FDA lists GHK-Cu for injectable routes among withdrawn nominations. It does not list the uncomplexed GHK tripeptide.

Source: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks, FDA. Content current as of 2026-04-22; read 2026-09-05. This describes what a compounding pharmacy may supply. It is not advice about your own use.

Reading up on GHK is the easy part

Keeping the schedule straight is the hard part. PepKit is the app for that.

Does the reconstitution math for you
Logs each dose and reminds you when the next is due
Counts down every vial's expiration

Where this came from3 references

Each one was resolved at PubMed and confirmed to be the work this page cites. Author, title, journal and year come from the PubMed record, not from the page text.

GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. BioMed research international (2015). PMID 26236730.
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data
Pickart L, Margolina A. International journal of molecular sciences (2018). PMID 29986520.
The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling
Pickart L. Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer edition (2008). PMID 18644225.

About this page

Reviewed 2026-08-11. This page reports what published studies and FDA documents say. It carries no dose, cycle length or stack, and it does not tell you whether a substance is appropriate for you. Side-effect reports circulating on forums are self-reported rather than measured, so they are not republished here.

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