Skip to content
HEALTHPEPS LAB
Order 1 kit · Get 1 BAC water free60-Day ReturnsFree EU Shipping · ~14 Days≥99% Purity · HPLC + MS VerifiedDiscreet Packaging · Lab-Tested
Order 1 kit · Get 1 BAC water free60-Day ReturnsFree EU Shipping · ~14 Days≥99% Purity · HPLC + MS VerifiedDiscreet Packaging · Lab-Tested
← Lab Journal
PROTOCOL·17 May 2026·6 min read

GHK-Cu vs NAD+ — tissue vs energy.

Both ship in our Longevity Essentials bundle. Both get tagged "longevity research" in the marketing. They're barely in the same conversation though — GHK-Cu is a connective-tissue / skin-modulator working at the extracellular-matrix level, NAD+ is a cellular-energy co-enzyme working at the mitochondrial level. Different axes of ageing.

The short version.

GHK-Cuis a copper-binding tripeptide. It's researched primarily for wound-healing, collagen + elastin synthesis, hair-follicle activity, and connective-tissue repair. Strong topical literature, growing subcutaneous data.

NAD+ is the cellular currency of redox reactions. Every mitochondrion in every cell uses it. Researched for age-related decline in mitochondrial function, sirtuin-mediated longevity pathways, and DNA-repair-mediated cancer-prevention models.

They're complementary, not overlapping. Both research reference compounds — not for human consumption.

Side-by-side.

ClassCopper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys + Cu²⁺)Co-enzyme · oxidised form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Primary mechanismModulates wound-healing genes, fibroblast activity, collagen + elastin synthesisDrives cellular energy via redox reactions · substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7) + PARPs (DNA repair)
Where it actsTopical: skin + scalp · Subcut: systemic connective tissueSystemic: every cell that runs mitochondrial respiration
Half-lifePlasma ≈ 30 min · effects persist via tissue uptake + receptor bindingPlasma NAD+ minutes · effects via cellular pool replenishment lasting days
Application routeSubcutaneous OR topical (mixed into a serum)Subcutaneous · intramuscular · intranasal (research)
Typical research dose1–3 mg subcut every other day · OR 1 mg per 30 ml carrier topical nightly100–500 mg subcut 1–3× per week · ramp-up titration recommended
Best atSkin tone, scar remodelling, hair-follicle research, tendon repairMitochondrial dysfunction, age-related cognitive decline, jet-lag / circadian, athletic recovery models
Variants available50 mg · 100 mg per vial250 mg · 500 mg · 1000 mg per vial
Single-kit price (10 vials)from €99.90 (50 mg) · €169.90 (100 mg)from €119.90 (250 mg) · €189.90 (500 mg) · €299.90 (1000 mg)
Stability reconstituted28–42 days at 2–8 °C14–28 days at 2–8 °C (more oxidation-prone) · 14 days fresh recommended

Which one fits your research?

Pick GHK-Cu alone if

  • · Skin / scalp / hair-follicle research — strongest published data here.
  • · Connective-tissue repair (tendon, ligament, scar tissue).
  • · Topical-route protocols where dosing intermittency matters.
Shop GHK-Cu →

Pick NAD+ alone if

  • · Mitochondrial / cellular-energy models · sirtuin pathway research.
  • · Cognitive-decline / neurodegenerative research scope.
  • · Long-cycle protocols (multi-month titration up).
Shop NAD+ →

Stack both (+ MOTS-c) if

  • · Cross-axis longevity model: mitochondrial + connective-tissue + cellular energy.
  • · The Longevity Essentials bundle adds MOTS-c (mitochondrial peptide) and saves ~10 %.
  • · Research scope spans more than one ageing-related endpoint.
Longevity Essentials bundle →

All compounds are research reference material — not for human consumption. Questions? Email the lab.