What we love about Melanotan 2 (MT2):
This is a great peptide for skin tanning, and can also be beneficial for libido. We also have found it to work well as both a nasal spray (build-up) and Subq injections. Unfortunately, Australia has banned the sale and use of MT2 so a lot of manufacturers are no longer able to sell it. It is rumored that Kim Kardashian may use MT2 or MT1 for her perfect tan.
Melanotan 2 is gaining attention for its potential benefits in skin pigmentation, much like Melanotan 1. Melanotan 2 is a shorter version of the afamelanotide peptide. It mimics the actions of the melanin-producing hormone, offering an alternative with a different chemical makeup than Melanotan 1. Let’s take a better look at what this peptide has to offer.
What is Melanotan 2?
Melanotan 2 is an unlicensed and mostly untested form of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that causes pigmentation (tanning) in the human skin. It is derived from melanotan I (afamelanotide), a medicine used to treat erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Melanotan 2 is currently not licensed to treat any medical diseases. It has been linked to a number of potentially significant adverse effects. Regulatory organizations in the United States, United Kingdom, and a number of other countries have issued warnings about its use.
Much like Melanotan 1, it’s available as a nasal spray or injectable variant and is used for skin tanning the majority of the time, with some exceptions that claim it has weight loss properties.
How Does it Work?
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic version of α-Melanocyte-stimulating-hormone (α-MSH), a hormone naturally produced in the pituitary gland of the brain and present in our bodies. α-MSH acts on specialized skin cells responsible for pigment production.
The drug essentially tricks the body’s regulation of pigment cells, prompting the body to tan itself. Melanotan 2 mimics the action of hormones that regulate pigment cell activity. This results in an increase in melanin production by pigment cells, giving the user a tan.
When administered through injection or as a nasal spray, Melanotan 2 can rapidly darken the skin within days. Additionally, the drug has been reported to suppress appetite and contribute to weight loss, which some users find desirable.
Melanotan 2 is typically administered as a liquid injection beneath the skin, usually every other day, with tanning effects observable after around five doses, according to studies.
Melanotan 2 Benefits
Melanotan 2 non-selectively mimics the effects of melanocortin peptides—organic hormones affecting various systems such as the cardiovascular system, immune system, inflammation, energy homeostasis, pigmentation, and sexual function. Like Melanotan 1, Melanotan 2 boosts eumelanin synthesis, resulting in skin darkening or tanning. It stimulates the body to produce more melanin, providing a natural and rich tan, and serving as the body’s defense against excessive sun exposure and UV damage.
Moreover, Melanotan has been found to induce penile erections by acting on the brain. Clinical trials revealed a strong stimulation of male erections by Melanotan 2 during its testing as a tanning agent. It has been shown in numerous studies to enhance male erection hardness, duration, and sexual desire, and it has also demonstrated an increase in female sexual desire in patients with arousal disorders.
Central melanocortin receptors, influencing sexual function, are thought to regulate this effect, stimulating both lordosis in female rats and erectile activity in male rats and humans. The melanocortins, including melanotan peptides, have been studied in clinical trials for the treatment of both female arousal disorder and erectile dysfunction.
Side Effects of Melanotan 2
Due to significant safety concerns, neither Melanotan 1 nor Melanotan 2 has obtained approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Currently, there is no FDA-approved medical condition for the treatment of Melanotan II. The use of these substances has been associated with numerous potentially harmful side effects.
Short Term
- Facial flushing,
- Reduced appetite,
- Nausea,
- Spontaneous erections 1-5 hours after administration in males.
Long Term
- Melanoma – (dangerous skin cancer),
- Deepening of the color of moles,
- Development of new moles,
- Melanonychia (discoloration of nails)
- Rhabdomyolysis – (destruction of muscle cells that can be fatal)
- Encephalopathy syndrome.
Conclusion
Melanotan 2 is gaining attention for its potential to induce skin pigmentation, providing an alternative to traditional tanning methods. Derived from Melanotan 1, it mimics the natural hormone responsible for melanin production, resulting in a tan after just a few doses. Administered through injection or nasal spray, Melanotan 2 not only darkens the skin but has been reported to suppress appetite and contribute to weight loss. Despite its potential benefits, the FDA has not approved Melanotan 2 due to significant safety concerns, including potential long-term side effects such as melanoma and rhabdomyolysis.
FAQ
Does Melanotan Work Without Sun?
Melanotan 2 requires some exposure to natural daylight to become active. This is usually not an issue because most people are exposed to natural daylight during their everyday activities.
What’s the Dosage of Melanotan 2?
Typically, users begin with a small dose of around 0.25 to 0.5 milligrams (mg) per day. After the initial period, some people may increase the dosage gradually based on their response to the peptide.
Is Melanotan 2 Illegal?
Using and possessing Melanotan 2 is not illegal, however, selling this product is strictly prohibited.
How Should Melanotan Be Stored?
You can store Melanotan 2 in its unmixed form in the freezer. However, once mixed with water, it should be kept in the refrigerator.
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