Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| GHK (without copper) | TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 1-3% concentration in topical formulations. Injectable dosing follows GHK-Cu protocols at 1-2 mg daily. | Research indicates 2-2.5 mg administered twice weekly via subcutaneous injection. |
| Timing | Topical application morning and evening. Injectable in evening. | No strict timing requirements. Can be administered at any time of day. Systemic action means injection location is not critical. |
| Cycle Duration | Topical use can be ongoing indefinitely. Injectable cycles 8-12 weeks. | Loading phase: 4-6 weeks. Total cycle: 8-16 weeks. |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | animal_plus_anecdotal |
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.
TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4, a 43-amino acid protein that sequesters G-actin monomers, preventing premature polymerization and facilitating cellular migration and morphological changes essential for wound healing. It upregulates actin to promote cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells at injury sites. TB-500 also enhances angiogenesis, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue remodeling through increased re-epithelialization and vascular density.
Research indicates 2-2.5 mg administered twice weekly via subcutaneous injection.
No strict timing requirements. Can be administered at any time of day. Systemic action means injection location is not critical.
Loading phase: 4-6 weeks. Total cycle: 8-16 weeks.
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