GLOW (BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu)
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Route(s): Subcutaneous
Typical vial sizes: 70 mg
Dosing window: Anytime
Receptor / target: VEGFR2; G-Actin; MMP
Properties: Dopamine Buffer
Pre-mixed: No
Unverified protocol notes
Standard Protocol
| Timeframe | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-12 | 2.8mg daily | Yields exactly 2.0mg GHK-Cu, 400mcg BPC-157, and 400mcg TB-500. Protocol is strictly 5 days on, 2 days off (skip weekends) to prevent copper toxicity. |
Unverified protocol note; not label dosing unless graded otherwise on this page.
Alternative: Low/Slow Maintenance
| Timeframe | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-12 | 1.4mg daily | Yields 1.0mg GHK-Cu, 200mcg BPC, 200mcg TB. 5 days on, 2 days off. Ideal for long-term anti-aging without heavy copper accumulation. |
Unverified alternative protocol; not an approved-label regimen unless graded otherwise on this page.
Protocol logic check
Independent evidence
Regulatory status: not approved multi compound blend component warnings
Storage
No independently verified storage guidance found. Treat any unverified storage claim as unverified, and see the general storage guidance in the FAQ.
Contraindications (limited evidence)
- Active cancer: BPC-157's potent angiogenic (VEGFR2-mediated) activity and GHK-Cu's comprehensive pro-growth gene program upregulation are both directly contraindicated in the context of active malignancy; tumor angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels into tumor tissue, upon which solid tumor growth above 1-2mm depends) would be accelerated by BPC-157's VEGFR2 stimulation; GHK-Cu's upregulation of collagen production, cell proliferation, and growth factor signaling could support tumor stroma formation and growth; absolute contraindication. Limited / unverified
- Zinc deficiency (serum zinc below reference range): GHK-Cu is a copper-supplying compound; copper and zinc compete for intestinal absorption through shared ZIP/ZnT transporter systems (Menkes-Wilson competitive transport); daily GHK-Cu administration progressively depletes zinc by outcompeting zinc for intestinal absorption and increasing metallothionein-mediated zinc sequestration; zinc deficiency at baseline is a contraindication to initiating GLOW; zinc status should be confirmed and repleted before starting any GLOW cycle, and zinc supplementation (15-30mg/day zinc bisglycinate or zinc picolinate) is required throughout all GLOW cycles. Limited / unverified
- Wilson's disease (copper metabolism disorder): Wilson's disease causes pathological copper accumulation due to defective ATP7B copper exporter function; GHK-Cu's copper delivery is absolutely contraindicated in Wilson's disease. Limited / unverified
- Active inflammatory bowel disease in severe flare: while BPC-157 has mucosal protective effects in IBD, the high-dose GHK-Cu component's copper delivery in the context of the compromised gut mucosa and altered metal absorption of severe IBD flares is not characterized; GLOW is appropriate for remission maintenance and does not cover acute severe flare management. Limited / unverified
- Concurrent copper-supplementing medications or multi-mineral supplements with high copper content: additive copper load from exogenous copper sources during a GLOW cycle could exceed safe copper accumulation thresholds; total daily copper intake across all sources should be monitored. Limited / unverified
- Known hypersensitivity to BPC-157 (pentadecapeptide), TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment), GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide), or formulation excipients. Limited / unverified
- Severe hepatic impairment: the liver is the primary organ for copper processing and biliary copper excretion; compromised hepatic copper handling in cirrhosis or severe hepatic disease could lead to copper accumulation even with the 5-days-on protocol. Limited / unverified
- Pregnancy: the combined angiogenic, matrix remodeling, and copper-delivering activity of GLOW during pregnancy has not been evaluated; both BPC-157 and GHK-Cu have effects on vascular and connective tissue remodeling that overlap with the highly active vascular and matrix changes of normal pregnancy. Limited / unverified
- History of copper toxicity (symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, elevated LFTs from previous copper exposure): previous sensitivity to copper loading suggests heightened risk of accumulation on the GLOW copper load. Limited / unverified
Side effects (limited evidence)
- Injection site pain (PIP): even within the blended formulation, GHK-Cu contributes some degree of injection site pain beyond standard peptide injections; typically manageable and significantly reduced versus standalone GHK-Cu at equivalent doses; the GLOW blend formulation's primary design purpose is to mitigate this effect. Limited / unverified
- Lethargy and sedation following injection: primarily attributable to the BPC-157 and TB-500 components; the mechanism is dopaminergic modulation; typically mild and lasting 1-3 hours post-injection; the "Dopamine Buffer" property tag reflects this CNS dopamine system interaction. Limited / unverified
- Zinc depletion: the most important monitoring parameter; progressive zinc depletion from GHK-Cu copper competition occurs across all GLOW cycles; manifestations include impaired immune function, hair thinning, delayed wound healing, and taste/smell changes; zinc supplementation is essential. Limited / unverified
- Mild copper accumulation symptoms: at doses approaching toxicity (unlikely at standard GLOW protocol doses with the 5-days-on schedule, but possible with protocol violations): nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, abdominal discomfort; the 5-days-on/2-days-off and 8-12 week cycle limit prevent clinically significant copper accumulation at standard doses. Limited / unverified
- Mild headache: occasionally reported in the first 1-2 weeks of a GLOW cycle; mechanism unclear but possibly related to the hemodynamic effects of BPC-157's NO-synthase activity and vascular changes. Limited / unverified
- Elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST): mild transient LFT elevation occasionally observed during GLOW cycles, particularly at the 2.0mg GHK-Cu daily dose; related to hepatic copper processing load; typically resolves with cycle cessation and washout; warrants monitoring in subjects with pre-existing liver conditions. Limited / unverified
- Temporary increase in existing inflammation signals: as the repair cascade activates, the initial phase can produce transient mild increases in local inflammation before anti-inflammatory and repair phases predominate; most notable in subjects using GLOW for acute injury management. Limited / unverified
- Anhedonia (rare): occasionally reported with the BPC-157/TB-500 combination; related to the dopaminergic modulation mechanism of BPC-157; typically mild and transient. Limited / unverified
Compatibility
The relationships below come from the source site's internal engine and were not verified independently. Treat them as a starting point for a conversation with a clinician. They carry no safety guarantee.
Reported synergistic:
Reported contraindicated combinations: