A tan without UV damage. The appetite control no one mentions. And the side effect researchers are trying to engineer out.
Melanotan II activates melanocortin receptors — MC1R triggers eumelanin production in your melanocytes (the dark protective pigment your skin naturally makes in response to sun). MC4R suppresses appetite and, in some men, produces spontaneous erections via a non-androgen pathway. The tanning effect persists for months after a 10-day loading phase. The appetite suppression is real and significant. The nausea and flushing side effects — real too — are why it's stayed in research rather than pharmacies for 20+ years. But the mechanism is consistent, the studies are reproducible, and the pigmentation lasts.
Melanotan II
Melanotan II (MT-2)
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is primarily researched for its ability to stimulate melanogenesis (skin pigmentation) independent of UV exposure, as well as its effects on sexual arousal and appetite suppression via central melanocortin receptor activation.
Technical details
- CAS number
- 121062-08-6
- Molecular formula
- C50H69N15O9
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Melanotan II acts as a full agonist at melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Activation of MC1R on melanocytes stimulates eumelanin (dark pigment) production, leading to tanning even without sun exposure. MC4R activation in the hypothalamus mediates appetite suppression and, in some subjects, spontaneous erections — making it a research compound for both pigmentation and sexual function pathways.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Melanotan II induces tanning in human volunteers without UV exposure via MC1R activation
MC4R agonism produces appetite suppression and penile erections independent of androgen pathways
Sustained melanogenesis effects persist 2-3 months post-administration at low UV exposure maintenance dosing
RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
For laboratory use only. Not medical advice.
Loading phase: pre-dose with antihistamine 30 minutes prior to reduce nausea and facial flushing. Expect darkening of moles/freckles first — this is normal.
Take at night before bed to minimize nausea. Use sunscreen on face/hands even with MT-II — uneven tanning can occur on photo-exposed areas.
Higher dose, shorter cycle. Higher nausea and flushing risk. Do not exceed 1mg/day — risk of hyperpigmentation spots at injection sites.
ORDER
SAFETY & CONTRAINDICATIONS
- History of melanoma or atypical moles
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- History of severe nausea/vomiting with peptide use
- Active liver disease (limited metabolism data)
Common: facial flushing, nausea (mitigated by pre-dose antihistamine), spontaneous erections (male subjects, MC4R-mediated), darkened moles and freckles, increased libido (some subjects). Less common: yawning/stretching episodes, appetite suppression, hyperpigmentation at injection sites. Rare: hypertension spikes, rhabdomyolysis (isolated case reports at high doses).
For research and laboratory use only. Not intended for human consumption. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.