Longevity
Longevity Stack
Three layers on three different clocks: GHK-Cu topical running continuously, Epitalon in short courses two to three times a year, and MOTS-C in cycles. Each targets a different hallmark of ageing, so they do not overlap.
At a glance
- What is in it
- Sold as
- Separate vials
- The evidence
- Topical GHK-Cu is the only component with human clinical data. Epitalon has in vitro telomerase activation and rodent lifespan extension of 10–25%; its only identified human study was sublingual (3 sprays twice daily for 20 days, n=20, ages 40–50), not the injectable route people use. MOTS-C has strong preclinical data and a Phase 1 safety trial of an analog, but no human efficacy trial. Nobody has studied the three together.Combination-specific research is limited. Treat each compound’s evidence as separate unless a study of the combination itself is named here, and review the complete plan with a qualified clinician.
Running this stack, with the schedule, the vials it takes and a log of what you took, happens in the app: Claritide for iPhone.
Why people explore it
Common reasons for exploring it
- People whose goal is slowing biological ageing broadly rather than fixing one symptom
- Adults 35+ noticing metabolic decline, energy loss and visible skin ageing together
- Anyone who has already run these compounds individually and understands their own response to each
Where clinician input matters
- Beginners. Three compounds is beyond the Playbook ceiling for anyone who has not established a baseline with each one solo.
- Anyone on insulin or sulfonylureas without prescriber involvement
- Active cancer, pregnancy or nursing, under 25
- Wilson's disease
- Anyone looking for a felt effect. Two of the three components target processes you cannot perceive directly.
The science
Read the compound mechanisms
GHK-Cu does two jobs at once: it signals, and it carries copper. As a signal, genomic work using the Broad Institute's Connectivity Map found it modulates expression of over 4,000 human genes, activating repair genes and suppressing genes tied to inflammation and tissue breakdown. That is an epigenetic effect rather than a surface one: it shifts the gene expression profile of aged cells toward patterns seen in younger tissue. As a carrier, it delivers copper to the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which cross-links collagen and elastin fibres into their functional, load-bearing form. Without copper, newly made collagen is structurally weak. It also directly stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen types I and III, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, and coordinates the breakdown of damaged tissue with the deposition of properly organised replacement tissue rather than scar.
Every time a cell divides, the protective telomere caps on the ends of its chromosomes get slightly shorter. When they become critically short the cell stops dividing and enters senescence, which contributes to tissue ageing. Telomerase is the enzyme that can rebuild telomere length, and its activity declines with age. Khavinson's group demonstrated that Epitalon activates telomerase in human somatic cells, producing telomere elongation. In a fibroblast study, treated cells showed increased telomerase activity and divided beyond the normal Hayflick limit. The second mechanism is pineal: Epitalon stimulates the pineal gland to maintain healthy melatonin production, which declines with age and affects sleep quality, circadian rhythm and antioxidant defence.
AMPK is the cell's fuel gauge. When energy runs low, AMPK switches the cell from storing to burning. MOTS-C activates it directly, which triggers a chain of effects: more glucose pulled into skeletal muscle via GLUT4 transporters, more fatty acid oxidation so fat is burned rather than stored, better mitochondrial function and biogenesis, which is the building of new mitochondria, and improved metabolic flexibility, the ability to switch cleanly between burning carbohydrate and burning fat. Separately, under metabolic stress MOTS-C moves from the cytoplasm into the cell nucleus and interacts with transcription factors to change gene expression. That is retrograde signalling: the mitochondria talking back to the nucleus and telling the cell to adapt.
Commonly researched ranges
| Compound | Amount | Frequency | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHK-Cu | 1–2 % | Once daily, ongoing | PM topical application |
| Epitalon | 5–10 mg | Daily for 10–20 consecutive days per course | Subcutaneous |
| MOTS-C | 5–10 mg | Per week, as 5 mg once weekly or 2.5 mg twice weekly | Pre-workout |
- GHK-Cu: The continuous foundation layer. Topical is the evidence-supported route; injectable GHK-Cu has no human trial data at all.
- Epitalon: 2–3 courses per year, spaced 4–6 months apart. Not run continuously. The telomerase effect is described as persisting beyond the dosing window. The only human study we can identify used the sublingual route.
- MOTS-C: 8–12 week cycles per our anti-aging guide, or 4–8 weeks on and 4 weeks off per the Playbook. A 4-week break between cycles either way.
- Duration
- Ongoing, in layers. GHK-Cu topical continuously; Epitalon two to three 10–20 day courses per year; MOTS-C in 8–12 week cycles two to three times per year.
Mixing each compound
Not established in available literature. Use the figures printed on your own vial.
Not established in available literature. Use the figures printed on your own vial.
Week by week
GHK-Cu
- Week 1–4 (topical)
Skin texture begins to smooth. Not visible yet: collagen gene activation takes time. Post-procedure healing after microneedling or laser is noticeably faster.
- Week 4–8 (topical)
First visible changes. Skin appears more hydrated and firmer, fine lines begin softening, tone becomes more even.
- Week 8–12 (topical)
Full results as measured in clinical trials: reduced wrinkle depth, increased skin density and thickness, improved elasticity.
- Month 3+ (topical)
Cumulative improvement. The longer it runs, the more collagen accumulates.
- Week 1–2 (injectable)
Wound healing effects appear earliest; reduced inflammation at injury sites.
- Week 4–8 (injectable)
Systemic effects reported: hair growth, joint recovery, skin quality. Note this route has no human trial support.
Epitalon
- First course
Our sleep guide describes Epitalon as working gradually over its 10–20 day course rather than acutely, restoring sleep-wake cycling rather than inducing sleep.
- After 1–2 courses
The point at which our sleep guide describes circadian effects becoming apparent.
MOTS-C
- Week 1
Possible temporary fatigue or flushing as the body adjusts. Some report a subtle energy lift within days. The Playbook notes this could be placebo.
- Week 2–3
More consistent energy through the day, better exercise tolerance, less post-workout fatigue.
- Week 4–8
Improved endurance, better recovery between sessions, enhanced metabolic flexibility. Bloodwork may show improved fasting glucose and lipids.
- Long-term
Longevity effects are supported by animal data only. No human longevity studies exist.
What it costs
- GHK-Cu: $30–80 per month (1–2% serum, 30 mL)
- Epitalon: Not established in available literature
- MOTS-C: $60–120 per 4–8 week cycle (one to two 10 mg vials)
These figures are published over different cycle lengths, so Claritide does not add them into one number. Log a vial and the cost engine will tell you what this stack costs you per week, from what you actually paid.
Cautions
- The GHK-Cu regulatory line most people repeat is wrong. Injectable GHK-Cu was Category 2 from 2023, removed from Category 2 on 15 April 2026 (effective 22 April) when the nominator withdrew, and FDA says it will hold an advisory committee meeting on it before the end of February 2027. Non-injectable GHK-Cu was removed from Category 1 at the same time and lost enforcement discretion. Removal from Category 2 does not make a substance eligible for 503A compounding. That requires a USP/NF monograph, membership of an approved drug, or a place on the 503A bulks list, and GHK-Cu has none of them. The topical route, which is the one with the human evidence, is in a worse position than before, not a better one.
- The advisory committee assessed these compounds for indications almost nobody uses them for. MOTS-c was recommended 7–5–2 for obesity and osteoporosis. Epitalon passed 7–5–1 for insomnia. Neither vote was about longevity.
- FDA's briefing packages record zero FAERS reports for MOTS-c, Epitalon and TB-500, with FDA's own footnote that almost nobody reports. Zero is a measure of reporting, not of safety.
- This is three compounds. The Playbook sets a ceiling of two simultaneous peptides for beginners, and this stack exceeds it. The argument for it is that the three run on separate schedules and rarely overlap fully.
- MOTS-C enhances glucose uptake. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, this is a hypoglycemia risk requiring close glucose monitoring.
- Active cancer is a contraindication for MOTS-C, because AMPK activation has complex effects on cell proliferation.
- Wilson's disease rules out GHK-Cu entirely. Copper has a published intake ceiling: the RDA is 900 mcg/day for adults and the tolerable upper intake level is 10,000 mcg/day.
- Our sources publish no side effect profile or contraindication list for Epitalon. That is absence of research, not evidence of safety.
- Baseline bloodwork before starting, retest at week 8. Non-negotiable for any multi-compound protocol.
Absence from this list does NOT mean safety. It means lack of research.
Every stack here is free to read, and it stays free. Your own schedule, vials and log live in the app: Claritide for iPhone.