Source comparison
How to Run Melanotan-1 Cycle: Peptide Comparison by Mechanism
Different melanocortin peptides activate different receptor subtypes, producing distinct melanogenic and systemic effects. Understanding these differences prevents protocol errors and clarifies why melanotan-1 requires specific dosing patterns. Melanotan-1 (af
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- Different melanocortin peptides activate different receptor subtypes, producing distinct melanogenic and systemic effects. Understanding these differences prevents protocol errors and clarifies why melanotan-1 requires specific dosing patterns.
- Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide)
- MC1R (melanocyte-specific)
- Direct eumelanin synthesis via MC1R activation
- Optional. Works without UV but amplified with coordinated exposure
- 0.25mg daily loading × 7 days, then 0.5–1.0mg 2–3×/week maintenance
- Minimal. Mild nausea and flushing in <10% of users
- Most selective for melanogenesis with lowest systemic side effect burden
- Melanotan-2
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (broad-spectrum)
- Melanogenesis + appetite suppression + sexual function modulation
- Optional
- 0.25–0.5mg daily
- High. Nausea, flushing, appetite suppression, spontaneous erections in 40–60%
- Produces faster tanning but higher off-target receptor activation
- Natural α-MSH
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R (endogenous)
- Melanogenesis triggered by UV-induced keratinocyte signaling
- Required. Peptide release is UV-dependent
- N/A. Endogenous only
- None. Physiological baseline
- Natural pathway but slower melanin deposition timelines
- Melanotan-1's selectivity for MC1R means it produces melanogenesis without the appetite suppression, libido modulation, or cardiovascular effects seen with melanotan-2. This selectivity is why loading dose timing matters. You're saturating one receptor type, not modulating multiple pathways simultaneously.