Melanotan-2 — Melanocortin (research)
melanotan-2 is a melanocortin-receptor agonist researchers study for two distinct effects — skin pigmentation (MC1R) and sexual arousal (MC4R). A loading-then-maintenance research protocol.
Why this protocol
melanotan-2 activates the melanocortin-receptors. Through MC1R it drives melanin production (the pigmentation effect); through MC4R it influences sexual arousal pathways — the same MC4R route as the approved arousal drug bremelanotide (pt-141). This page presents that research, not a treatment recommendation.
It is run loading-then-maintenance: a short daily loading phase to build effect, then infrequent maintenance. Because melanocortin agonism desensitizes and MT-2 is a research-grade compound (not an approved medicine), it is pulsed with breaks rather than run continuously.
Research-grade compound, not an approved medicine — effects here are described as what the literature studies and what users reach for, not as treatments. Doses match the Melanotan-2 page; the protocol is community convention, not a trial regimen. No therapeutic or cosmetic claims.
The regimen
Melanotan 2
Melanocortin agonist- Dose
- 0.25–0.5 mg (loading) → 0.5–1 mg (maintenance)
- Schedule
- Daily 1–2 wk (loading) → 1–2× weekly (maintenance) · subcutaneous
- Timing
- Evening; nausea/flushing are common early and ease with the lower maintenance dose
Reconstitution calculator
Reconstitution calculator
Calculated for a 1 mL U-100 insulin syringe (100 units/mL).
Units per dose
5
Draw to this mark on a U-100 syringe
- Volume per dose
- 0.05 mL
- Doses per vial
- 40
- Concentration
- 5 mg/mL
One vial lasts
- Daily
- 40 days
- Every other day
- 80 days
- 5×/week
- 56 days
Research use only. Not for human consumption. Outputs are reference values based on research literature — verify all measurements independently.
Cycle & schedule
Loading (1–2 weeks)
~0.25–0.5 mg once daily to build the effect. Start at the low end — early nausea, flushing, and appetite changes are the common reasons people abandon it, and they ease at lower doses.
Maintenance
~0.5–1 mg once or twice weekly to hold the effect, rather than continued daily dosing.
Breaks
A minimum 4–6-week break before any subsequent cycle. Note: MT-2 can darken existing moles and freckles — anything that changes warrants a dermatologist's review.
Studies behind this protocol
This protocol composes the cited evidence on each peptide's page — see the full bibliography on: Melanotan 2.
Research use only · Not medical advice · Updated 2026-06-01