Compare

Melanotan II vs MOTS-c

Side-by-side observational reports from PeptIQ users. This compares self-reported patterns — not clinical head-to-head trials.

Last reviewed . By the PeptIQ team.

Observational reporting only — not medical advice. Does not recommend doses, protocols, or treatments.

Melanotan II

46 community reports

Overall experience

From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.

Favorable 97% · Mixed 3% · Unfavorable overall 0%

Most reported benefits

Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.

Libido
142
Mood
141
Appetite
73

Most logged side effects

Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.

Fatigue
2
Nausea
2

Self-reported dose per injection

Median bucket: 0.4–0.6 mg · Most common: 0.2–0.4 mg

Reports span 0.01–2 mg

0.01–0.025 mg
1
0.05–0.1 mg
1
0.1–0.2 mg
7
0.2–0.4 mg
49
0.4–0.6 mg
23
0.6–1 mg
33
1–2 mg
28

Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.

How repeat users are trending

Among repeat reporters, 94% said they felt similar to their last entry, 6% more positive, and 0% more negative.

Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.

Median gap between entries: 50 days · Based on 32 repeat reporters

MOTS-c

113 community reports

Overall experience

From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.

Favorable 18% · Mixed 2% · Unfavorable overall 80%

Most reported benefits

Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.

Appetite
230
Energy
47
Recovery
3
Mood
2
Cognition
1

Most logged side effects

Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.

Injection site irritation
191

Self-reported dose per injection

Median bucket: 2–3 mg · Most common: 5+ mg

Reports span 0.01 to ≥ 5 mg (open-ended top bucket)

0.01–0.025 mg
4
0.1–0.2 mg
1
0.2–0.4 mg
8
0.4–0.6 mg
11
0.6–1 mg
8
1–2 mg
42
2–3 mg
45
3–5 mg
7
5+ mg
107

Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.

How repeat users are trending

Among repeat reporters, 56% said they felt similar to their last entry, 31% more positive, and 13% more negative.

Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.

Median gap between entries: 44 days · Based on 45 repeat reporters

Sources (9)

Published sources linked on the Melanotan II and MOTS-c wiki pages.

  1. PubMed

    LC-HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs

    Mestria S, Odoardi S, Frison G, et al. Drug testing and analysis. 2021

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  2. PubMed

    Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis

    Nelson ME, Bryant SM, Aks SE. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2012

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  3. PubMed

    MOTS-c is an ancient mitochondrial-encoded regulator of metabolic homeostasis

    Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. Cell Metab. 2015

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  4. PubMed

    MOTS-c: A mitochondrial-encoded peptide regulating muscle function

    Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al. Nat Commun. 2021

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  5. PubMed

    MOTS-c improves insulin sensitivity in mice and humans

    Kim SJ, Xiao J, Wan J, et al. Aging Cell. 2019

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  6. ClinicalTrials.gov

    MOTS-c metabolic studies on ClinicalTrials.gov

    ClinicalTrials.gov. Clinical trial registry. 2024

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  7. PubMed

    MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation

    Zheng Y, Wei Z, Wang T. Frontiers in endocrinology. 2023

    Source
    Wiki study page →
  8. PubMed

    MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism

    Lee C, Kim KH, Cohen P. Free radical biology & medicine. 2016

    Source
    Wiki study page →