Melanotan II phase I pigmentation study
PubMed
TL;DR
In a three-man phase 1 pilot, subcutaneous Melanotan II increased pigmentation and produced clear systemic effects including nausea, fatigue, yawning and spontaneous erections.
Phase 1 · single-blind · placebo-controlled · 3 healthy men
What was studied
The question.
Whether low-dose Melanotan II could produce tanning effects in humans and what acute effects appeared during early dose escalation.
How it was conducted
The study design.
Three healthy male volunteers alternated saline and subcutaneous Melanotan II over two weeks. Doses started at 0.01 mg/kg and were escalated in small increments up to 0.025–0.03 mg/kg.
What it found
Did it actually work?
- Two participants developed measurable increases in pigmentation.
- Nausea occurred at several dose levels.
- Yawning, stretching and spontaneous erections were repeatedly observed.
- Higher dosing produced somnolence and fatigue in one participant.
Why it matters
How to read this result.
This study confirms that Melanotan II has real human melanocortin activity rather than being supported only by animal work.
Keep in mind
What the study does not prove.
- Only three participants were studied.
- The trial was designed for early pharmacology, not long-term tanning safety.
- It provides no reassurance about chronic use or unlicensed products sold online.
Original source
Want to read the original?
We summarize the study here first. The original source is there when you want the full methods, statistics, tables and author discussion.
Open University of Arizona record