Glutathione
Glutathione is the endogenous tripeptide master antioxidant (glutamate-cysteine-glycine) studied for oxidative-stress and detoxification support; injectable research protocols typically use 100 mg subcutaneously every other day, titrating within a 100-600 mg range.
It has been studied for systemic oxidative-stress and redox status, hepatic and xenobiotic detoxification pathways, and cosmetic skin-lightening, though high-quality human efficacy evidence for most uses remains limited.
Glutathione (GSH) is a low-molecular-weight tripeptide composed of L-glutamate, L-cysteine, and glycine, distinguished by an unusual gamma peptide bond between the glutamate side-chain carboxyl and cysteine that resists standard peptidases. It is synthesized endogenously in nearly all cells in two ATP-dependent steps (glutamate-cysteine ligase, the rate-limiting enzyme, then glutathione synthetase) and is regarded in research as the body's principal intracellular antioxidant. Its reactive cysteine thiol donates reducing equivalents to neutralize reactive oxygen species and serves as the substrate for glutathione peroxidase; in the process GSH is oxidized to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and regenerated by glutathione reductase using NADPH.
The GSH/GSSG ratio is widely studied as a marker of cellular redox state, and GSH also participates in phase II detoxification via glutathione S-transferases. Glutathione is not FDA-approved as a drug for systemic indications; oral forms are marketed as dietary supplements (GRAS for food use), while injectable glutathione is a compounded, non-FDA-approved preparation studied as a research compound.
In research and compounding practice it is administered orally (e.g., 250-1,000 mg/day in trials) or, less commonly, by compounded intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection; the founder handbook references 100-600 mg IM/SubQ.
Oral supplementation in a randomized trial raised blood and tissue GSH stores measurably by 1 month and progressively through 6 months, while any subjective or cosmetic effects reported in research appear gradually over weeks.
It is commonly studied or co-administered with precursor compounds such as N-acetylcysteine and glycine, and in cosmetic settings with vitamin C, though combination safety data are limited.
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This page is educational reference material about compounds studied in research settings. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy, possess, or use any compound. Research findings described are from published literature; individual compounds may not be approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician about anything that affects your health.