Melanotan II
Research profile · How we handle evidence
Synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that stimulates melanogenesis for tanning and has significant effects on libido and appetite.
Evidence Score
Preliminary signal
Category
Therapeutic area
Standard Dose
Daily during loading phase (1-2 weeks), then 1-2x weekly maintenance
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route
Subcutaneous or Intranasal
Safety Tier
Limited data
Overview
Melanotan II is the wild child of tanning peptides, it'll give you a deep, natural tan with minimal sun exposure, but it also cranks up your libido significantly and can tank your appetite, all in one shot. Originally developed at the University of Arizona as a skin cancer prevention compound (more melanin = more natural UV protection), researchers quickly noticed unusual side effects in the male volunteers that led to the development of PT-141 for sexual dysfunction. The nausea is real, especially when you first start, take it right before bed with some food to sleep through the worst of it. And here's the serious part: it WILL darken moles and freckles, so you absolutely must monitor your skin and avoid it completely if you have any melanoma history. Start with a micro-dose (0.25mg) to see how you react, and never jump straight to 1mg. It's banned in several countries including Australia and the UK, so know your local laws.
Mechanism of Action
Melanotan II gives you a tan AND libido boost, while PT-141 (bremelanotide) was deliberately engineered to remove the tanning effect and keep only the sexual component. Compared to Melanotan I, MT-2 is less selective and more prone to side effects like nausea and flushing. Unlike spray tans or UV exposure, MT-2 produces lasting melanin from within.
Benefits
- Develops a deep, natural-looking tan with minimal sun
- Significant libido enhancement in both sexes
- Mild appetite suppression
- Requires less sun exposure for tanning
- Protective melanin increase
Side Effects
- Nausea (common initially, take with food)
- Facial flushing
- Darkening of moles (monitor carefully!)
- Spontaneous erections in men
- Drowsiness
- Increased freckle visibility
Contraindications
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- History of melanoma
- Cardiovascular disease
Structure & Sequence
Verified structure
Melanotan II
Sequence illustration backed by PubChem match.
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
- Cyclization
- Cyclic (lactam) backbone
- Molecular Weight
- 1,024.2 Da
- Chemical Formula
- C50H69N15O9
- CAS Number
- 75921-82-2
- InChIKey
- JDKLPDJLXHXHNV-MFVUMRCOSA-N
Stack & Route Context
Stacks with
No entries listed.
Administration
Subcutaneous or Intranasal
Research Status
Research compound. Not FDA approved. Banned in many countries including Australia and UK.
Approval Status
Research
Sports Legal
Restricted
References
- 1View source
The melanotropin agonist Melanotan II
1998
- 2View source
Melanotan II: A review of the literature
2017
- 3View source
Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections
1996
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.