Side-by-side · Research reference

GHK-CuvsHexarelin

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AHuman-MechanisticReviewed8/47 cited

BPhase 1Reviewed19/45 cited

GHK-Cu

Tripeptide · Skin / Hair / Wound Healing

1–2 mgSQ dosePickart 2018

HumanMechanisticPickart 2018 Zink 2003

HoursHalf-life

SQ or topical · Local · Daily or 2-3×/week

Hexarelin

Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic

100–200 mcgPer doseSmith 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelGhigo 1997

~70 minHalf-lifeSemenistaya 2010

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

GHK-Cu

Hexarelin

Primary target

Copper-dependent enzymes (lysyl oxidase, SOD); regulator of >4000 human genesPickart 2018

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Pathway

Cu(II) delivery via GHK chelation → ↑collagen / elastin / GAG synthesis; ↓inflammatory cytokines; ↑hair follicle growth-factor signalingPickart 2018

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997

Downstream effect

Skin firmness + texture improvement, accelerated wound healing, hair regrowth, anti-inflammatory actionPickart 2018 Zink 2003

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997

Feedback intact?

Replaces declining endogenous levels

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Origin

Endogenous tripeptide first isolated from human plasma; declines from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL at age 60Pickart 2018

Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

GHK-Cu

Hexarelin

Standard SQ dose

1–2 mg / dayPickart 2018

Anecdotal injectable range; topical creams use 0.1–2% solutions.

—

Topical concentration

0.1–2.0% in serum / cream

—

Frequency

Daily or 2–3× per week (SQ)

1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)

Lower / starter dose

0.5 mg / day SQ

50 mcg per dose

Evidence basis

Human-mechanistic + topical clinical studiesPickart 2018

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Duration

8–12 weeks for visible skin / hair effect

4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water; light-protected

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

No specific time; evening preferred for topicals

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Half-life

Hours (estimated; rapid tissue uptake)

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

Standard dose

—

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

GHK-Cu

Hexarelin

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus (common)

—

Topical irritation

Mild redness, transient stinging

—

Copper accumulation

Theoretical with very high chronic doses

—

Allergic reaction

Rare hypersensitivity to copper

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid topical and SQ — insufficient data

Avoid

Wilson disease

Contraindicated

—

Cortisol elevation

—

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Prolactin elevation

—

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Hunger

—

Strong appetite increase via ghrelin agonism

Tachyphylaxis

—

Receptor desensitisation with chronic dosingGhigo 1997

Cardiac effects

—

Direct cardio-tropic; potential benefit in MI but unstudied in humansGhigo 1997

IGF-1 elevation

—

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

Absolute Contraindications

GHK-Cu

·Wilson disease (copper-overload disorder)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Known copper hypersensitivity

Hexarelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

GHK-Cu

·Hemochromatosis (copper-iron crosstalk theoretical)
·Concurrent copper-chelator therapy

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

GHK-Cu

Hexarelin

1. Reconstitution

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to a 50 mg vial → 25–50 mg/mL. Use within 30 days, refrigerated.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.

2. Injection site

SQ — local to the area of interest (face, scalp) for skin / hair indications. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Anytime; evening preferred. Topical: apply to clean dry skin.

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, light-protected, ≤30 days.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

30–31G, short (4–6 mm) for shallow SQ. Topical: clean fingertips, no needle.

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

GHK-Cu

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

GHK-Cu drives ECM remodelling and copper-dependent enzymes; BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2 angiogenesis and fibroblast migration. The pathways are non-overlapping and complementary — together they accelerate wound healing more than either alone in anecdotal protocols.

GHK-Cu: 1–2 mg SQ · daily near wound
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily near wound
Primary benefit: Combined ECM rebuilding + angiogenesis for tissue repair

Hexarelin

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

Hexarelin (GHRP) + CJC-1295-no-DAC (GHRH analogue) is the higher-amplitude variant of the standard GHRH+GHRP stack. Hexarelin produces a stronger pulse than ipamorelin but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose this stack for maximum GH amplitude when side-effect tolerance is acceptable. Cycle aggressively.

Hexarelin: 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Maximum GH pulse amplitude (with side-effect signal)

Smith 1996 Teichman 2006