Trinity compound research profile
GHK
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring 3-amino-acid peptide that your own body already makes — it's found in the main protein of your...
Research overview
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring 3-amino-acid peptide that your own body already makes — it's found in the main protein of your skin and connective tissue (type I collagen). When paired with copper, it's called GHK-Cu, sometimes labeled "copper peptide" or "copper tripeptide-1" on skincare products (Pickart & Margolina, Int J Mol Sci 2018). Interestingly, the amount of GHK naturally in your blood drops by more than half between age 20 and age 60 (Dou et al., Aging Pathobiol Ther 2020).
Mechanism under study
GHK doesn't act through a typical 'lock and key' receptor system. Instead, it grabs onto copper atoms extremely tightly and delivers them to enzymes in your body that need copper to function — including ones involved in making collagen (the protein that keeps skin firm) and fighting off damaging molecules called free radicals. It boosts production of collagen and elastin (the proteins that give skin structure and stretchiness), and it calms down certain inflammation signals (Pickart & Margolina 2018).
Human evidence summary
The human evidence is solid for skin, but only for skin applied topically (as a cream), not for systemic (whole-body) use. In 12-week studies with facial creams, women with sun-damaged skin saw increased skin thickness and reduced wrinkle depth. A comparison study found GHK-Cu improved collagen in 70% of users, beating out both vitamin C (50%) and retinoic acid (40%). Another controlled trial found it reduced wrinkle volume more than a comparison ingredient over 8 weeks (Pickart & Margolina 2018). Note: no human trials exist for injectable or systemic uses.
Preclinical evidence summary
In animal studies, GHK-Cu has sped up wound healing, encouraged new blood vessel growth, and helped regenerate cut nerves in rats. It also showed some anti-tumor and calming (anti-anxiety) effects in rodents at very small doses. These animal findings are promising but haven't been confirmed with human trials for these particular uses.
Source material
Use the linked publications and records to evaluate study design, population, limitations, and relevance.