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NAD+ vs GHK-Cu: What the Research Shows

NAD+ and GHK-Cu side by side: what they are, how they are regulated and what is still unknown.

Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated
Coenzyme (injectable, IV or nasal)CompoundedNAD+Coenzyme sold as an injectable wellness product; a systematic review concluded clinical effectiveness for anti-aging or wellness outcomes remains inconclusive.[14]
Copper tripeptideInjectable off Category 2 (Apr 2026)GHK-CuCopper tripeptide with mostly topical or cosmetic human data; a small randomized laser-resurfacing study found no statistically significant differences between groups for earlier resolution of erythema.[3]Skin & hair+340% searches
Quick verdict

Where the research points

Summary of studies, not a recommendation

Consider NAD+ if…

  • you want a systematic review of the field: for NAD+ supplementation, clinical effectiveness for anti-aging or wellness outcomes remains inconclusive[14]
  • you want to know about intravenous use: the systematic review found no eligible outcomes trials of intravenous or intramuscular NAD+ for anti-aging or wellness[14]
  • you want real-world IV data: in a retrospective pilot of commercial infusions, NAD+ IV was associated with moderate to severe gastrointestinal symptoms, higher heart rate and chest pressure[15]

Consider GHK-Cu if…

  • you want a randomized trial of the topical gel in diabetic foot ulcers (an older study): Median ulcer area closure was 98.5% with the GHK-copper gel versus 60.8% with vehicle (p < 0.05).[16]
  • you want a small randomized skin-care trial with mixed results: patients reported better skin quality (P = .04) but blinded and objective evaluation found no group difference[3]
Neither is FDA approved for any use in people. Status labels come from public FDA and WADA records; see the sources below.
Side by side

Spec comparison

Showing 8 of 9 fields where the two differ. PCAC vote, Jul 2026 are the same or both unknown.

FieldNAD+GHK-Cu
ClassCoenzyme (injectable, IV or nasal)Copper tripeptide
Also calledNAD, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidecopper peptide, copper tripeptide-1, GHK
FDA statusCompoundedInjectable off Category 2 (Apr 2026)
WADANo WADA record in our dataWADA status unclearGHK-Cu: This is not named on the 2026 list. The catch-all class S0 prohibits any drug with no approval anywhere for human use, so it would be banned if no health authority has approved it, but we have not verified that for this substance.
Half-life[half-life by route]No published half-life foundPubMed search, 2 Oct 2026
Evidence strength[evidence grade]Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4Strongest: Archives of facial plastic surgery 2006, PMID 16847171
Human studies we summarised[n]4 human (2 randomized or controlled) of 14 summarised
Typical study doses[dose range]

Bracketed values are pending a sourced figure. Legal data reflects the regulatory events in our tracker.

Sources

  1. 1FDA gives notice that 12 peptides will be removed from Category 2 (nominations withdrawn)FDA · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin.Archives of facial plastic surgery · 2006PMID 16847171Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction.Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · 2015PMID 25731775Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) (431 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (humans[mh] OR patients[tiab] OR volunteers[tiab]) (150 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (randomized[tiab] OR clinical trial[pt] OR split-face[tiab]) (8 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (wound[tiab] OR hair[tiab] OR skin[tiab] OR wrinkle*[tiab]) (123 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (half-life[tiab] OR pharmacokinetic*[tiab]) (2 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (rat[tiab] OR mice[tiab] OR rats[tiab] OR animal[tiab]) (80 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (facial[tiab] OR cream[tiab] OR photodamage[tiab] OR volunteers[tiab] OR women[tiab]) (6 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND (hair[tiab] OR alopecia[tiab]) (16 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13PubMed search: ("GHK-Cu"[tiab] OR GHK[tiab] OR "copper tripeptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptide"[tiab] OR "copper peptides"[tiab] OR "glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine"[tiab] OR "glycyl-histidyl-lysine"[tiab] OR "Gly-His-Lys"[tiab]) AND ("NAD+"[tiab] OR "nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide"[tiab])PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  14. 14NAD⁺ supplementation for anti-aging and wellness: A PRISMA-guided systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence.Ageing research reviews · 2026PMID 41655607Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  15. 15Intravenous infusion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) versus nicotinamide riboside (NR): a retrospective tolerability pilot study in a real-world setting.Frontiers in aging · 2026PMID 41704678Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  16. 16Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper.Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society · 1994PMID 17147644Accessed 2 Oct 2026

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