Melanotan 2
An example of what a lack of selectivity means: one substance with two different research fields.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Cyclic peptide |
| Receptors | Several melanocortin receptors |
| Research field | Pigment formation, libido |
| Research status | Preclinical |
| Form | Freeze dried powder |
What it is
A copied and shortened version of alpha-MSH, the hormone driving pigment formation. Its ring shape makes it more stable than the natural hormone.
How it works
It fits several members of the melanocortin family at once. The receptor concerned with pigment gives the effect the substance is named after; another receptor in the brain gives the libido side, later split off as PT-141.
What the research shows
It never reached registration. In the literature it appears mainly as comparison material: anyone wanting to see what selectivity buys places Melanotan 1, Melanotan 2 and PT-141 side by side.
Research status
Preclinical.
Practical
The more selective variant Melanotan 1 aims mainly at the pigment receptor, making it a cleaner model when you only want the skin side.
This site is made by the team behind Apex Bio Research, a Dutch supplier of research peptides with a certificate of analysis per batch.
Visit the shopThis site explains what the scientific literature says about peptides. It is not medical advice and not a set of instructions. The substances discussed here are research compounds: they are not approved for use in humans or animals. If you have a health question, see a doctor.