For research and educational purposes only. Not for human consumption. GHK-Cu is one of the most studied peptides for skin, wound healing, and anti-aging research. But there's a lot of confusion about HOW to administer it. Let's break down all three routes in plain terms so you understand what's actually happening with each one. The Three Ways GHK-Cu Is Administered 1. Topical (Creams/Serums) What it is: Applying GHK-Cu directly to the skin mixed into a serum or cream base. The idea: Get the peptide right where you want it—directly on the skin. The problem: Your skin is really good at keeping things OUT. That's literally its job. The outer layer (epidermis) acts as a barrier, and peptides have a hard time getting through it. Even with fancy penetration enhancers, absorption is hit or miss. A lot of what you apply just sits on the surface. To actually stimulate collagen and see skin benefits, the peptide needs to reach the deeper layer (dermis)—and there's no guarantee it gets there. Best use case: Targeted support for specific areas, ideally combined with another administration route. 2. SubQ (Subcutaneous) What it is: Reconstituted GHK-Cu administered subq, just under the skin into the fatty tissue. The idea: Bypass the skin barrier entirely and deliver the peptide directly into the system. Why this works: 100% of the peptide gets into circulation. No guessing about absorption. From there, it distributes throughout the entire system—skin, hair follicles, organs, everywhere. Research on GHK-Cu shows benefits beyond just skin: lung tissue repair, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, and even potential cognitive benefits. SubQ administration is how you actually access all of that. Best use case: When the goal is systemic benefits—skin improvement from the inside out, plus all the other researched effects. 3. Oral (Capsules) What it is: Swallowing GHK-Cu in capsule form. The idea: Easy administration, just swallow a capsule. The reality: This is where people get misled. Here's what happens when you swallow a peptide:

I get asked about topical GHK-Cu and SNAP-8 creams all the time—and my answer is always the same: Simple and AO's CopperGlow + HyperGlow serum. You can mix these your self but, it's a pain and I'll never do it. These are the products I actually recommend when people want to explore topical peptides for skin. Wanted to give you all a heads up that they put together a holiday bundle that includes both of these plus their copper-infused shampoo and conditioner: Glow & Shine Beauty Bundle – $149 - Hypercharge Copper-Infused Shampoo - Hypercharge Conditioner - HyperGlow - CopperGlow Here's why this is actually a solid deal—individual pricing: - Shampoo: $32 - Conditioner: $32 - HyperGlow: $85 - CopperGlow: $52 - Total if bought separately: $201 That's $52 in savings before the code. Plus 15% off with code DEREK brings it down to ~$127. This is a limited time holiday sale this bundle will go away after Christmas. Links: 🔗 Simple Peptide: https://simplepeptide.com/product/glow-shine-beauty-bundle/sp/peptideprice/ 🔗 Alpha Omega: https://alphaomegapeptide.com/products/glow-shine-beauty-bundle/ref/4/ If you've been curious about topical peptides, this is a good time to jump in.

This is the full sit-down conversation I had with the Valor Owners, Matt & Kyle. I have to say some of the most genuine people I've come across, and they truly care about the end customer more than anything, and I think you'll see that if you take the time to give this a listen. I don't own any of Valor, and this is exclusively them giving me an insight into what they've built here. Apologies for my voice; I was losing my voice from all the excitement at this point in the week. This isn't your typical company launch story. What We Covered We went deep - really deep - on everything: 🎖️ Their Military Background - How their service shaped their peptide journeys - The discipline and integrity that drive Valor 🔬 Building Something Different - Why they chose to do this lyophilization100% in the USA when it would've been easier (and cheaper) to go overseas - The real challenges of in-house lyophilization - What "complete transparency" actually means in practice 💡 The Vision - Why the research peptide industry needs transparency - How they're listening to the community (Build Your Own Kit was YOUR idea) - What's coming next for Valor 🇺🇸 The Mission - Supporting American innovation and manufacturing - Creating a new standard in an industry that desperately needed one - Building trust through openness, not marketing Why This Matters Matt and Kyle didn't have to be this transparent. They could've launched with slick marketing and kept everything behind the curtain like everyone else. Instead, they opened the doors completely. They shared the struggles, the setbacks, the reasons behind every decision. This conversation gave me a whole new level of respect for what they're building. If you've been curious about Valor, wondering if it's legit, or just want to hear from two guys who are genuinely trying to change an industry for the better - you need to watch this. 🎧 Listen Now https://youtu.be/x1VHdY8Iy3M Drop your thoughts in the comments after you watch.

After trying DSIP with zero results, I found something that actually worked. Not a sleep "drug." Not another melatonin supplement. A peptide that works through an entirely different mechanism—one that's been studied for 35+ years (mostly in Russia) with some pretty wild implications beyond just sleep. The best part? The sleep improvements feel natural. No grogginess. No dependency. Just easier wind-down and better quality rest. What makes it different: It doesn't just knock you out like a sedative. It works by regulating your pineal gland and supporting your body's natural melatonin production. But that's just the beginning of what it does... The deeper mechanism involves something called telomeres (your cellular "aging clock") and an enzyme most of your cells don't produce anymore. I broke down the full science, mechanisms, research, and my lab rat's 15-day protocol in my latest deep dive. Read the full breakdown here: https://open.substack.com/pub/derekpruski/p/understanding-epithalon-the-longevity?r=4jq1x8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Including: ✅ How it actually works (explained simply) ✅ Why telomeres matter for sleep AND longevity ✅ The research behind it ✅ Real-world 15-day protocol results ✅ Dosing and cycling protocols Worth a read if you're struggling with sleep or just curious about the intersection of peptides, longevity science, and cellular health. Drop a comment if you've tried this one—curious to hear your experiences. 👇

You've dropped 50+ pounds on a GLP-1. Feeling incredible. Then one day your bench press feels like it's trying to bury you. Your squat that used to be easy now feels like a max effort. Cue the spiral: "Is the GLP-1 eating my gains?" Here's the truth most people don't want to hear: This happens during ANY significant weight loss. GLP-1 or not. If you've never done a proper cut before, you have zero frame of reference for what's normal. Your strength was always going to plateau. That's not the peptide. That's physics, glycogen, and hormones. The three reasons your lifts feel heavy (and why you're probably fine): 1. Mass moves mass - You weigh 70 pounds less. Different leverages. Different physics. A 250lb person squatting 315 is moving 565 total pounds. At 180? You're moving 495 with less muscle to do it. 2. You're running on empty - Chronically low glycogen from eating in a deficit. Studies show this alone can reduce strength 10-30% even when muscle is preserved. 3. Hormonal reality - During prolonged deficits, testosterone drops 10-30%, thyroid downregulates, cortisol stays elevated. This is your body's survival mechanism, not a drug side effect. And here's the kicker: Those influencers telling you they "maintained all their strength during their cut"? Yeah, they're on 200mg of test per week. Stop comparing your natural cut to someone who's enhanced. But here's what matters most: None of this is permission to back off your training intensity. The article breaks down exactly what to do about each factor - including the strategic carb timing that actually works on a GLP-1. Full breakdown including: - When you should actually worry vs. what's normal - Pre-workout carb protocol that won't trigger GLP-1 nausea - What strength changes to expect at 20lbs, 50lbs, 70lbs+ lost - How to maintain muscle while accepting temporary strength plateaus Read it here: https://derekpruski.substack.com/p/youre-not-losing-muscleyoure-just