Review Article
GHK-Cu may prevent oxidative stress in skin by regulating copper and modifying expression of numerous antioxidant genes
Pickart L, Margolina A. Cosmetics. 2018
Compare
GHK-Cu vs Melanotan II
Side-by-side observational reports from PeptIQ users. This compares self-reported patterns — not clinical head-to-head trials.
Last reviewed . By the PeptIQ team.
Observational reporting only — not medical advice. Does not recommend doses, protocols, or treatments.
GHK-Cu
120 community reports
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 3% · Mixed 97% · Unfavorable overall 0%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Mood
226
Recovery
226
Energy
1
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Injection site irritation
222
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 2–3 mg · Most common: 2–3 mg
Reports span 0 to ≥ 5 mg (open-ended top bucket)
0–0.01 mg
1
0.025–0.05 mg
16
0.2–0.4 mg
4
0.6–1 mg
1
1–2 mg
71
2–3 mg
87
3–5 mg
43
5+ mg
5
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
Commonly stacked with
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 89% said they felt similar to their last entry, 11% more positive, and 0% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 46 days · Based on 45 repeat reporters
Melanotan II
46 community reports
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 97% · Mixed 3% · Unfavorable overall 0%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Libido
142
Mood
141
Appetite
73
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Fatigue
2
Nausea
2
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 0.4–0.6 mg · Most common: 0.2–0.4 mg
Reports span 0.01–2 mg
0.01–0.025 mg
1
0.05–0.1 mg
1
0.1–0.2 mg
7
0.2–0.4 mg
49
0.4–0.6 mg
23
0.6–1 mg
33
1–2 mg
28
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
Commonly stacked with
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 94% said they felt similar to their last entry, 6% more positive, and 0% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 50 days · Based on 32 repeat reporters
Sources (9)
Published sources linked on the GHK-Cu and Melanotan II wiki pages.
- Wiki study page →Source
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
GHK-Cu in wound healing and tissue regeneration
Pickart L. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways
Pickart L, Margolina A. Biomed Res Int. 2014
- Wiki study page →Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
GHK-Cu copper peptide studies on ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov. Clinical trial registry. 2024
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. BioMed research international. 2015
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Biomimetic Hydrogel Scaffolds with Copper Peptide-Functionalized RADA16 Nanofiber Improve Wound Healing in Diabetes
Yang X, Zhang Y, Huang C, et al. Macromolecular bioscience. 2022
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Melanotan II and its molecular mechanisms
Dorr RT, Dawson BV, Hadley ME, et al. Life Sci. 2009
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
LC-HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs
Mestria S, Odoardi S, Frison G, et al. Drug testing and analysis. 2021
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis
Nelson ME, Bryant SM, Aks SE. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2012