Source comparison
MOTS-c Mental Fatigue Mechanism: Research Comparison
MOTS-c AMPK activation → mitochondrial substrate flexibility Prevents ATP depletion under metabolic stress; preserves working memory and decision-making during caloric deficit 10–14 days for full transcriptional adaptation Subcutaneous injection or nasal spray
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- MOTS-c
- AMPK activation → mitochondrial substrate flexibility
- Prevents ATP depletion under metabolic stress; preserves working memory and decision-making during caloric deficit
- 10–14 days for full transcriptional adaptation
- Subcutaneous injection or nasal spray
- Best evidence for energy-preservation mechanism rather than stimulation. Ideal for ketogenic dieters or fasting protocols
- Semax
- Increases BDNF and NGF expression in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
- Enhances neuroplasticity and focus under acute cognitive load
- 30–60 minutes (acute); cumulative over 7–10 days
- Nasal spray (high bioavailability)
- Strongest acute-performance signal but does not address underlying metabolic capacity. Complements MOTS-c rather than replaces it
- Selank
- Modulates GABAergic and serotonergic tone; reduces cortisol response to stress
- Reduces anxiety-driven cognitive interference; stabilises mood during prolonged effort
- 20–40 minutes (anxiolytic effect); 5–7 days for sustained benefit
- Nasal spray
- Anxiety-reduction mechanism. Useful when mental fatigue is compounded by stress response, but no direct mitochondrial effect
- NAD+ precursors (NMN, NR)
- Increases cellular NAD+ availability for mitochondrial electron transport
- Improves baseline mitochondrial function over weeks to months
- 4–8 weeks
- Oral or sublingual
- Broad mitochondrial support but slower onset than MOTS-c; best used as foundational support rather than acute intervention