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Melanotan-2: Tanning / Libido research guide
Not medical advice. Melanotan-2 is a research compound. This guide does not provide dosing, diagnosis, therapy recommendations, or claims about effects in humans.
What Melanotan-2 is
Melanotan-2 (MT-2) is a cyclic non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist studied for UV-independent skin pigmentation, appetite modulation, and sexual arousal research.
One-paragraph overview from our research datasheet — still scientific, but faster to read than the full mechanism list below.
Melanotan II cyclic heptapeptide non-selectively agonizes MC1R/MC3R/MC4R/MC5R for melanogenesis, appetite modulation, and sexual arousal research applications.
Research contexts
Peer-reviewed literature typically discusses Melanotan-2 in specific experimental settings. The points below reflect how the scientific community frames this compound—not as health claims, but as the research questions being asked.
Research vs. personal use: Literature describes experiments in controlled lab and animal models. This is distinct from any real-world use; our products are for laboratory research only.
Typical study contexts
Why Tanning / Libido research matters
These peptides are studied mainly for how they interact with melanocortin receptors and pigmentation biology. That research is separate from human “tanning products” and stays in controlled scientific contexts.
Mechanisms (technical review)
Our datasheet lists mechanistic themes observed in preclinical work. These are research endpoints, not health claims. They help scientists understand and compare pathways.
Lab handling & preparation
Storage requirements: Lyophilised powder: store in freezer (−20 °C). Reconstituted: refrigerate 1–6 °C, away from sunlight. Use within the validated stability window for the specific batch and formulation. · Learn best practices in our detailed storage guide.
Research dosing context: Literature typically discusses 0.25–0.5 mg subcutaneously during the loading phase; 0.5–1.0 mg per maintenance dose · Daily during loading (gradual build-up to tolerance/desired pigmentation), then 2–3 times weekly for maintenance · IV t½ = 0.5-1.5 hr in rats. Vss 0.2-0.5 L/kg; CL 0.3 L/kg/h. Oral bioavailability 4.6% in rat. pKa1 (His) = 6.54, pKa2 (Arg) = 11.72. Not FDA-approved. Common side effects include nausea, facial flushing, and fatigue. WADA-prohibited substance.
Preparation steps: Follow our detailed reconstitution guide, use the calculator tool for volume confirmation, and always verify purity with the COA reading guide.
Common Questions People Are Asking
What is Melanotan-2?
Melanotan-2 (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-MSH (Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂, MW 1024.18 Da) that non-selectively activates the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R melanocortin receptors. It is supplied as a lyophilised research-grade powder for laboratory use only — it is not approved for human use.
What does Melanotan-2 do?
In research models MT-2 activates MC1R to stimulate eumelanin synthesis (the pathway behind UV-independent pigmentation), and activates MC4R in the hypothalamus, which is associated with appetite suppression and arousal signalling. These are findings in animal/research models; New-U makes no human-use or cosmetic claims and supplies MT-2 for research use only.
Does Melanotan-2 work without sun?
Because MT-2 stimulates melanocyte MC1R directly, melanogenesis can be triggered in research models with little or no UV exposure — unlike a normal tan that requires sunlight. Published observations note that UV exposure still substantially accelerates and deepens the studied pigmentation response. This is research context only, not a cosmetic or human-use recommendation.
Does Melanotan-2 change eye color?
There is no credible scientific evidence that MT-2 changes iris (eye) colour. The melanocytes it acts on are in the skin and hair; the documented pigmentation effects are darker skin and darkening of existing moles/freckles, not eye colour. Reported for research context only.
How is Melanotan-2 reconstituted?
Lyophilised MT-2 is dissolved in bacteriostatic water for multi-use research vials. Concentration in mg/mL equals the vial mass in mg divided by the millilitres of diluent added — e.g. a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 1 mL gives 10 mg/mL. Keep the reconstituted vial refrigerated at 1–6 °C and protected from light. This is laboratory preparation math only; no human-use dosing guidance is provided.
What is the difference between Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2?
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is a linear 13-amino-acid α-MSH analog that is more selective for MC1R and is EMA/FDA-approved as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Melanotan-2 is a smaller cyclic heptapeptide that activates MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R non-selectively, producing broader effects and more side effects.
Why does Melanotan-2 cause nausea and facial flushing?
Those effects come from non-selective activation of MC4R and MC5R in the brain and exocrine glands. MC4R activation in hypothalamic nuclei drives both appetite suppression and nausea, while MC5R stimulates sebaceous secretion and vasomotor responses that show up as facial flushing.
How does Melanotan-2 relate to PT-141?
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is essentially an active metabolite of Melanotan-2 with a free carboxylic acid instead of an amide at the C-terminus. It is more selective for MC4R-mediated sexual arousal pathways and is FDA-approved as Vyleesi for generalised HSDD in premenopausal women.
How should Melanotan-2 be stored?
Keep lyophilised powder at −20 °C in the freezer. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate at 1-6 °C and protect from light. Reconstituted solutions are generally stable for several weeks under those conditions.
What Melanotan-2 dosage is described in research?
The research literature typically describes a low-microgram subcutaneous "loading" phase followed by smaller intermittent "maintenance" amounts, with melanogenesis driving the studied pigmentation response. New-U publishes this only as descriptive research context - it is not a dosing instruction, and Melanotan-2 is supplied strictly for laboratory research, not human use.
What does Melanotan-2 before and after show in studies?
In pigmentation research, MC1R activation increases eumelanin synthesis, so studied endpoints describe a gradual darkening over roughly 1-4 weeks of repeated exposure that fades once dosing stops. Magnitude depends heavily on baseline skin type, amount and UV exposure. Reported for research context only - not a cosmetic or human-use claim.
How long does Melanotan-2 take to work and how long does it last?
Pigmentation is cumulative rather than immediate: pigmentation research describes a gradual darkening building over roughly 1-4 weeks of repeated low-dose exposure, then fading over weeks once dosing stops as melanocytes turn over. The peptide itself clears quickly (rodent IV half-life ~0.5-1.5 h) but the studied pigment effect outlasts the circulating compound. These are descriptive research-context observations, not human-use or cosmetic guidance.
What are the side effects of Melanotan-2 reported in research?
The literature most commonly reports nausea, facial flushing, appetite suppression and darkening of existing moles/freckles, arising from non-selective MC3R/MC4R/MC5R activation. New-U supplies Melanotan-2 as a research compound only and makes no safety or human-use claims; these are summarised research findings, not medical advice.
Is Melanotan-2 legal, and is it FDA-approved?
Melanotan-2 is not approved by the FDA, EMA or any major regulator for human use - only the related, more selective afamelanotide (Melanotan-1 / Scenesse) and bremelanotide (PT-141 / Vyleesi) hold approvals for specific indications. Melanotan-2 is sold in the US strictly as a research compound, labelled research use only and not for human consumption; buyers are responsible for compliance in their jurisdiction.
Is this page medical advice? Can I use Melanotan-2 for my health?
No, and no. This article is educational only. We do not provide dosing, medical recommendations, or health claims. Our products are sold strictly for laboratory research, not for personal use of any kind.
Where do I find Melanotan-2 specs, purity certificates and pricing?
Open the shop listing via “View product details.” There you will see batch specs, the Certificate of Analysis (COA), concentration, purity grade, and available SKUs with current pricing.
Related peptide guides
Other compounds researchers often read about alongside Melanotan-2.
Scientific sources & further reading
Primary literature and registries for Melanotan-2, plus mainstream coverage of the peptide category. Research use only - not medical advice.
Databases & literature:
Peptides in the news:
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Also known as: Melanotan II, MT-2, MT-II, Melanotan 2, Non-Selective Melanocortin Agonist, Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂, Cyclic α-MSH Analogue
Premium research peptides at >99% HPLC-verified purity, third-party tested by Janoshik Analytical with a Certificate of Analysis on every lot. Shipped lab-direct, discreet and cold-chain, worldwide. For laboratory research use only.
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