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Melanotan-1: Tanning / Libido research guide
In short: Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) linear 13-amino-acid α-MSH analogue selectively activates MC1R eumelanogenesis via cAMP-MITF cascade. FDA/EMA-approved for EPP treatment. It is studied in preclinical (cell and animal) research and is supplied strictly for laboratory use, not for human or clinical use.
Not medical advice. Melanotan-1 is a research compound. This guide does not provide dosing, diagnosis, therapy recommendations, or claims about effects in humans.
Melanotan-1 at a glance
What to know first
Details and limits sit in the sections below. Research use only.
What Melanotan-1 is
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide, Scenesse) is a selective MC1R agonist that drives UV-independent eumelanin production - the only melanocortin peptide currently FDA- and EMA-approved for human therapeutic use.
One-paragraph overview from our research datasheet. Still scientific, but faster to read than the full mechanism list below.
Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) linear 13-amino-acid α-MSH analogue selectively activates MC1R eumelanogenesis via cAMP-MITF cascade. FDA/EMA-approved for EPP treatment.
Research contexts
Peer-reviewed papers discuss Melanotan-1 in specific lab settings. The points below reflect research questions, not health claims.
Research vs. personal use: Literature describes experiments in cells and animals. That is distinct from real-world use. Our products are for laboratory research only.
Typical study contexts
Why Tanning / Libido research matters
These peptides are studied for melanocortin receptor biology and pigmentation. That work is separate from consumer tanning products.
Mechanisms (technical review)
Our datasheet lists mechanistic themes from preclinical work. These are research endpoints, not health claims.
Lab handling & preparation
Common Questions People Are Asking
What is Melanotan-1?
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide, MT-1) is a synthetic linear 13-amino-acid analogue of α-MSH ([Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, MW ~1647 Da) that selectively activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) to drive eumelanin synthesis. It is the molecule approved as Scenesse (a 16 mg implant) for erythropoietic protoporphyria. New-U supplies it as a research-grade lyophilised powder for laboratory research use only — not the approved drug and not for human use.
How is Melanotan-1 different from Melanotan-2?
MT-1 is a linear 13-amino-acid peptide that is relatively selective for MC1R (pigmentation). MT-2 is a cyclic 7-amino-acid peptide that hits all four melanocortin receptors non-selectively, which is why research reports it producing appetite suppression, nausea, and central arousal effects that MT-1 largely avoids. MT-1 is also the only one of the two FDA/EMA-approved for any indication. These are research distinctions only; both are supplied for laboratory research, not human use.
What does the research on Melanotan-1 actually show?
The strongest data is in erythropoietic protoporphyria: a randomised phase 3 trial (Langendonk et al., NEJM 2015) reported that afamelanotide increased pain-free time in sunlight for EPP patients, which supported its EMA and FDA approval as Scenesse. Mechanistically, studies describe reliable MC1R-driven eumelanin accumulation without the central effects of non-selective analogues. This is summarised published research, not a human-use claim.
Does MT-1 work in people with fair skin or MC1R variants?
In the research literature, yes. Afamelanotide's clinical trial program tested populations carrying MC1R variant alleles (such as Val60Leu, Arg151Cys, and Arg160Trp) associated with weak natural pigmentation, and reported a pigmentation response even in those genotypes — one reason it was approved for EPP. Reported for research context only.
What is the half-life of Melanotan-1 described in the literature?
Published pharmacology describes a short plasma half-life of roughly 30 minutes after subcutaneous administration, but the studied biological pigmentation effect persists for several days because MC1R activation and slow receptor recycling outlast the circulating peptide. The Nle4 substitution prevents methionine oxidation and D-Phe7 resists proteolysis, extending activity versus native α-MSH. This is descriptive research context — not human-use dosing guidance.
What does "UV-independent" pigmentation actually mean?
Normal tanning requires UV damage — skin darkens as a response to DNA damage from sun exposure. MT-1 activates the same downstream pigmentation pathway (MC1R / cAMP / MITF / tyrosinase) directly at the receptor level, so in research models pigment accumulates without the upstream DNA-damage signal. The protective pigment is the same; only the trigger differs. Reported for research context only.
Is Melanotan-1 legal and FDA-approved?
The finished pharmaceutical afamelanotide (Scenesse) is FDA- and EMA-approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria — that approval applies to the prescription implant, NOT to research-grade powder. New-U's Melanotan-1 is an unapproved research compound supplied strictly for laboratory research, labelled research use only and not for human consumption; buyers are responsible for compliance in their own jurisdiction.
How should MT-1 be stored and reconstituted?
Keep the lyophilised powder frozen at −20 °C. For research preparation it is dissolved in bacteriostatic water; the reconstituted vial is then refrigerated at 1-6 °C and protected from light. The linear structure is slightly more sensitive than cyclic MT-2, so prompt use after reconstitution is preferable. This is laboratory handling information only, not a human-use instruction.
Is this page medical advice? Can I use Melanotan-1 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-1 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-1.
Scientific sources & further reading
Primary literature and registries for Melanotan-1, 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 I, MT-1, Afamelanotide, Scenesse, NDP-MSH, NDP-α-MSH, [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, CUV1647, Selective MC1R Agonist
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Research peptides at >99% HPLC-verified purity, third-party tested by Janoshik Analytical & Freedom Diagnostics, with Certificates of Analysis published per released batch. Supplied strictly for laboratory research use.
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