Melanotan II

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Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
Melanotan II is used to darken the skin and help it tan. Also used to raise sexual arousal and to reduce appetite. Reported problems include nausea, facial flushing and changes to moles.
How it works
A man-made, modified version of the body's own skin-darkening hormone, given by injection under the skin or as a nasal spray. It switches on several sensors on cells that respond to that hormone, which drives pigment production and is thought to also affect arousal and appetite. No medicines regulator has approved it.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

Melanotan II (also known as MT-II or MT-2) is a modified peptide studied for its effects on tanning, skin and hair, and sexual health. Melanotan II is a synthetic α-MSH analogue that stimulates melanogenesis and tanning; unapproved for human use and prohibited under WADA rules.

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of the peptide hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that stimulates melanogenesis to facilitate tanning. It may also increase sexual arousal. It is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, acting at MC1R to drive pigmentation and at MC3R and MC4R, which is thought to account for its reported effects on sexual arousal and appetite.

Natty status
Melanotan II is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 Frequently asked questions
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 External links

Overview

No medicines regulator has approved Melanotan II for human use, and it is prohibited at all times under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules as a non-approved substance in class S0.

Mechanism of action

Stimulates melanin production to darken skin and facilitate tanning. May also increase sexual arousal and reduce appetite. Unapproved for human use; linked to nausea and mole changes.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • Low-dose melanotan-2, an α-MSH receptor (MC4R) agonist, decreased food intake per body weight in CAPS2-knockout mice. [1] Preclinical
  • The same low-dose melanotan-2 treatment produced no observed effect on food intake in wildtype mice. [1] Preclinical

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

No approved human dose

  • Melanotan II is not licensed for human use by any medicines regulator

Unregulated use is self

  • reported rather than trial-derived; no controlled study has established a safe or effective dose

Reported loading use

  • 0.25-1mg subcutaneously per day until desired pigmentation is reached

Reported maintenance use

  • 0.5-1mg subcutaneously once or twice weekly

General

  • Case reports associate use with nausea, facial flushing, spontaneous erections, and darkening or change in existing moles

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

Melanotan II is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[2] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

No registered human trials on ClinicalTrials.gov, in any status
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 5, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 2 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

Afamelanotide Natty
Raises skin melanin by activating MC1 receptors. Approved to prevent phototoxic pain in erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare genetic light sensitivity. Given as a subcutaneous implant.
Bremelanotide Natty
FDA-approved (as Vyleesi) for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. Activates central melanocortin receptors to drive arousal. Shows preclinical promise for erectile dysfunction. Given by subcutaneous injection.
Delta-sleep-inducing peptide Not natty
A neuropeptide named for inducing delta EEG sleep activity in animals, though its own link to human sleep is weak and poorly characterized. Shows preclinical antiepileptic activity.
Epithalon Not natty
Marketed as an anti-aging peptide. In preclinical studies it boosts telomerase activity, supports the body's own melatonin production, and shows antioxidant effects. Human evidence is minimal.

Frequently asked questions

What is Melanotan II?

Melanotan II is a synthetic α-MSH analogue that stimulates melanogenesis and tanning; unapproved for human use and prohibited under WADA rules.

What is Melanotan II used for?

Melanotan II is used to darken the skin and help it tan. Also used to raise sexual arousal and to reduce appetite. Reported problems include nausea, facial flushing and changes to moles.

How does Melanotan II work?

A man-made, modified version of the body's own skin-darkening hormone, given by injection under the skin or as a nasal spray. It switches on several sensors on cells that respond to that hormone, which drives pigment production and is thought to also affect arousal and appetite. No medicines regulator has approved it.

Is Melanotan II natty?

No. Melanotan II is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is Melanotan II banned by WADA?

Yes. Melanotan II is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is Melanotan II administered?

Melanotan II is typically administered via: subcutaneous injection, nasal spray. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. a b CAPS2 deficiency induces proopiomelanocortin accumulation in pituitary and affects food intake behavior in mice. Recent
  2. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Tanning | Skin and hair | Sexual health | Injectable

This page was last updated on October 5, 2026, at 07:25 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 5, 2026.

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