Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Dihexa | GHK (without copper) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 10-20 mg daily via oral or sublingual administration. | Research indicates 1-3% concentration in topical formulations. Injectable dosing follows GHK-Cu protocols at 1-2 mg daily. |
| Timing | Morning dosing preferred. Can be taken with or without food (orally active). | Topical application morning and evening. Injectable in evening. |
| Cycle Duration | 2-4 week cycles with equal rest periods. Long-term safety data is extremely limited. | Topical use can be ongoing indefinitely. Injectable cycles 8-12 weeks. |
| Evidence Level | animal_plus_anecdotal | moderate_human |
Dihexa (N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-aminohexanoic amide) is an orally active, blood-brain barrier-permeable oligopeptide derived from angiotensin IV. It binds hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with high affinity, inhibiting HGF dimerization and synergistically promoting c-Met receptor phosphorylation and signaling. Activation of HGF/c-Met drives procognitive effects through increased dendritic arborization, spinogenesis, and synaptogenesis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Research indicates it is approximately 10 million times more potent than BDNF for new synapse formation.
Research indicates 10-20 mg daily via oral or sublingual administration.
Morning dosing preferred. Can be taken with or without food (orally active).
2-4 week cycles with equal rest periods. Long-term safety data is extremely limited.
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine that has an extremely high affinity for copper(II) ions. Even without exogenously complexed copper, GHK rapidly chelates available copper in biological systems, making copper-free GHK functionally similar to GHK-Cu in vivo. The peptide stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates metalloproteinase activity, resets gene expression patterns toward a healthier state (affecting 31.2% of human genes), and activates wound healing cascades.
Research indicates 1-3% concentration in topical formulations. Injectable dosing follows GHK-Cu protocols at 1-2 mg daily.
Topical application morning and evening. Injectable in evening.
Topical use can be ongoing indefinitely. Injectable cycles 8-12 weeks.
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