Mechanistically, GHK-Cu has been shown to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis in dermal fibroblasts, increase decorin (a small proteoglycan that helps regulate collagen organization), and influence matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors
J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002
In addition, noradrenaline and serotonin (which are involved in the central inhibition of pain) are decreased, which may also explain why FMS patients have a higher risk for the development of depression and anxiety disorders
doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181ad584a
In patients who are unstable or at risk, the safer sequence is to maintain necessary medication, test and correct biochemical abnormalities, allow time for stabilization, and only then consider a slow prescriber-guided taper