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Melanocortin Agonist

Melanotan II

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Overview

Non-selective melanocortin agonist with notable adverse events; not an approved consumer product.

How it works

Melanotan II is a broad activator of the melanocortin receptor family. Two of those receptors matter most here: MC1R, which drives pigment (melanin) production, and MC4R, which influences sexual function and appetite.

Switching on MC1R produces the tanning effect it's marketed for, while MC4R activity underlies its reported effects on libido. The problem is its lack of selectivity — it hits multiple melanocortin receptors at once, which broadens both its effects and its side effects.

That non-selectivity, combined with unregulated gray-market supply, underlies a notable adverse-event record: nausea, blood-pressure changes, and concerns about darkening or changing moles (raising melanoma-monitoring questions). It is not an approved product.

Mechanism · Detailed Analysis
Molecular targetA broad melanocortin-receptor agonist — MC1R drives melanogenesis, MC4R affects sexual function and appetite.
Signaling & downstream effectscAMP-driven melanin synthesis (tanning) plus central MC4R effects on libido and intake.
CaveatsNon-selectivity combined with gray-market supply underlies a notable adverse-event record (nausea, blood-pressure changes, and concerns about changing moles/melanoma). Not approved.
Published EvidenceLoading cited studies from PubMed…
Human Data ···

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Animal ···

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In Vitro ···

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Educational aggregation of public literature. Not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds here are not approved for human use. Consult a licensed clinician.