Overview
Melanotan II is classified as a melanocortin agonist peptide. Tanning, libido enhancement.
MC4R activation. Non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors to stimulate melanin production, suppress appetite, and increase sexual arousal.
Also known as: MT-II, MT-2
Category
Melanocortin Agonist
Half-Life
1h
Route
SubQ
FDA Status
Not Approved
How Does Melanotan II Work?
MC4R activation. Non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors to stimulate melanin production, suppress appetite, and increase sexual arousal.
At the molecular level, Melanotan II operates through pathways characteristic of the Melanocortin Agonist class, interacting with target receptors and downstream signaling cascades to produce its observed effects.
Published Research
The following studies are indexed from PubMed and peer-reviewed journals:
[1]Melanotan II tanning and erectile effects Phase I
Dorr et al. (J. Investigative Dermatol.): Phase I trial in normal male volunteers confirming tanning activity and spontaneous penile erections. Side effects: nausea, somnolence.
Evidence: moderate[2]Melanotan II as potent initiator of penile erection
Wessells et al. (J. Urology): Double-blind study showing MT-II initiates erection in men with erectile dysfunction even without sexual stimulation.
Evidence: moderate[3]Melanotan II as skin cancer chemopreventive peptide
Hadley & Dorr (Peptides): Review of MT-II as potential chemopreventive agent for UV-induced skin cancer through enhanced eumelanin synthesis.
Evidence: preclinical[4]Development of selective MC4R agonists from Melanotan II
Hruby et al. describe development of functionally selective melanocortin receptor agonists derived from MT-II to separate desired from unwanted pharmacological effects.
Evidence: preclinical[5]Melanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan.
A study published in BMJ case reports investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[6]Use of melanotan I and II in the general population.
A study published in BMJ (Clinical research ed.) investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[7]CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists.
A study published in Journal of medicinal chemistry investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[8]Combining MALDI mass spectrometry imaging and droplet-base surface sampling analysis for tissue distribution, metabolite profiling, and relative quantification of cyclic peptide melanotan II.
A study published in Analytica chimica acta investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[9]Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet.
A study published in Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[10]Discovery and development of novel melanogenic drugs. Melanotan-I and -II.
A study published in Pharmaceutical biotechnology investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[11]A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectroscopic method for quantification of the cyclic peptide melanotan-II. Plasma and brain tissue concentrations following administration in mice.
A study published in Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[12]A glimpse into the underground market of melanotan.
A study published in Dermatology online journal investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[13]Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food.
A study published in Neuropeptides investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[14]5-HT(2C) receptor activation is a common mechanism on proerectile effects of apomorphine, oxytocin and melanotan-II in rats.
A study published in European journal of pharmacology investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[15]Melanotan-II: Investigation of the inducer and facilitator effects on penile erection in anaesthetized rat.
A study published in Neuroscience investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[16]Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization.
A study published in Peptides investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: moderate[17]Melanotan-associated melanoma.
A study published in The British journal of dermatology investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[18]Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.
A study published in Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[19]Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums.
A study published in Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[20]Falsification of biotechnology drugs: current dangers and/or future disasters?
A study published in Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinicalSafety Profile
Nausea common; research-only. SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS: changes to moles, elevated BP. Actively warned against by FDA/TGA.
| Side Effect | Incidence | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | ~45% of users | moderate |
| Facial flushing | ~30% of users | mild |
| Fatigue | ~15% of users | mild |
| Spontaneous erections (men) | ~20% of men | mild |
| Mole changes (darkening) | Variable | uncommon |
Sourcing Melanotan II for Research
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Full Research Profile
Melanotan II — dosing, interactions, timelines & more
Comprehensive compound profile with sourcing information, stacking synergies, and outcome timelines.