Melanotan II Side Effects
Melanotan II is a well-known analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), designed to stimulate the process of melanogenesis and induce melanocytes to produce additional melatonin, which is its main function. The result is a fast and sunless tan, which is why women often consume it. Another key potential property is an increase in sexual desire and arousal, which in men results in an erection. Scientists, therefore, think that this peptide could also be used as part of a therapy for various forms of erectile dysfunction. Another indication may be its use in skin diseases such as rosacea or fibromyalgia, where it helps relieve symptoms such as redness, varicose veins, and itching, but stabilizes the patient's condition. Melanotan II is an advanced version of afamelanotide ("Melanotan I"), which has a similar mechanism of action. Although it has various potentially beneficial effects, according to various studies, there are also suspicions of serious side effects.
About the Peptide
Melanotan II is a laboratory-synthesized peptide and represents an analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). The main function of this hormone is to induce melanocytes (cells responsible for pigment production in the skin) to synthesize Melatonin further. The result is an effective and fast tan, without sunbathing, which makes this peptide the most widely used among the female population. However, this property also has risks, such as red skin, the appearance of freckles, or even an increased chance of developing melanoma (skin malignancy). Occurrences of erection in men as a result of increased sexual desire and a reaction to physical and mental stimuli, could be useful for people suffering from various forms of erectile dysfunction.
Impotence is defined as a state of difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. It causes psychological barriers and shame, and can also be a symptom of a more serious health problem. Physical causes include high blood pressure, heart problems, central nervous system diseases, high cholesterol, and many others. Mental causes are most often reflected in depression and anxiety.
It is believed that the occurrence of sudden erections could be an excellent basis for treating such conditions. However, in healthy men who do not have this problem, the constant occurrence of erections can interfere with everyday life and be an unwanted effect. In addition to the above, it is assumed that another indication for using Melanotan II may be various skin conditions such as Rosacea and Fibromyalgia. By acting on vascular and inflammatory pathways, the peptide may help reduce enlarged veins and symptoms such as redness, itching, and swollen papules, which most often occur on the cheeks and nose.
How This Peptide Works
The mechanism of action differs from the indication for which the peptide is used. As an analogue of α-MSH, this amino acid sequence could stimulate melanocytes to produce melatonin and thus accelerate the process of melanogenesis. The body has its mechanisms that operate according to the negative feedback system, based on which a sufficient amount of pigment is always provided, which is needed for a certain part of the year and day. The hormone of which this peptide is an analogue is normally synthesized in the pituitary gland. When a sufficient amount appears, signals are automatically sent to the central nervous system to stop further synthesis. Malanotan II inhibits the sending of signals to stop further production, so the pigment is produced in a drastically larger amount, resulting in a rapid tan. Dysregulation of this homeostasis is achieved by activating the first class of receptors for this hormone (MC1, MC3, MC4, and MC5).
When it comes to erectile dysfunction, various studies have suggested that this peptide could help treat this condition, and have proven this hypothesis in subjects. Men of various ages suffering from different forms of impotence have reported significant improvements in their condition in the form of erections to physical and mental stimuli, after just a few days of using the peptide in small doses. This physical reaction lasted long enough and ended with ejaculation, which indicates the potential success of Melanotan II in treating this case. It is assumed that the mechanism of action is based on the influence of the central nervous system responsible for processing sexual sensations and sexual desire itself.
Specific skin conditions such as rosacea and fibromyalgia are under-researched, and their treatment is still in the process of development. Rosacea is a serious skin condition whose main symptoms are itching, redness, dilated veins, and swollen papules. The process is mostly localized on the skin of the cheeks and nose, and most often does not tend to spread further. The peptide has been shown through various studies to be potentially effective in solving these cases, where subjects reported a reduction in Rosacea-like lesions. The mechanism of action is most likely associated with the modulation of vascular and inflammatory pathways, but also with an inhibitory effect on the migration of certain cells, which leads to reduced activation of keratinocytes and the restoration of homeostasis. The anti-inflammatory effect, reflected in reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, helps to reduce redness and itching.
Structure
The chemical formula of the compound consists of:
- fifty carbon atoms,
- seventy-nine hydrogen atoms,
- five nitrogen atoms,
- nine oxygen atoms.
Melanotan II occupies a special orientation in space and has a large molecular weight.
Side Effects
Increased Risk of Melanoma Appearance
Scientists are increasingly suspecting that the level of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone may be related to the appearance of aggressive skin cancer, melanoma. Research has shown that there is a close temporal relationship between the administration of Melanotan II and the appearance of diagnosed skin melanoma in subjects and experimental animals. Due to increased melatonin production, dysplastic changes, darkening of moles, the appearance of freckles, severe redness, and other skin reactions may occur. This side effect is particularly associated with nasal spray application, where abuse may happen due to the easy method of administration, and thus overdose. If combined with a solarium or sunbathing, there is a high possibility of developing serious problems. Patients and doctors are advised to use it cautiously, only in required and therapeutically indicated cases.
Spontaneous Erection Occurrence in Men
The appearance of an erection is described as a beneficial effect of the peptide because it may be used as part of the therapy in various cases of erectile dysfunction. However, in healthy men who consume it for other reasons, the occurrence of spontaneous erections can interfere with daily life, especially if it happens frequently. In addition to being unpleasant for the patient, it could also be harmful to health because it can lead to an imbalance of hormones that pass through the body in high levels during erection and ejaculation. This side effect almost always occurs, as it is one of the crucial properties that Melanotan II is known for. That's why it is advised to use this peptide responsibly, only according to the indications.
Potential Cause of Kidney Dysfunction
Organ failure is a condition that occurs due to insufficient perfusion (blood flow to an organ), as a result, the organ does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, so its cells die. Due to the suspicion that it has a thrombotic effect and participates in the increased formation of thrombus, Melanotan II was investigated as a potential cause of kidney infarction. Earlier studies established the possibility of rhabdomyolysis (kidney damage that occurs after blockage of its tubules) and kidney failure.
The result of the studies showed that the peptide probably has a strong thrombotic effect. Thus, it coagulates the blood, participates in the formation of a thrombus that later clogs the renal blood vessels, which represents a severe, unwanted effect, but it occurs rarely. This condition requires serious medical treatment.
Other Side Effects
Administration of this peptide carries certain risks of serious, previously described side effects, but also of relatively harmless ones that occasionally appear. Some of them are headache, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, emaciation, or facial flushing, and sudden hot flashes. Even if they are not serious and most often do not require any therapy, if any of the symptoms persist longer, patients are advised to consult a doctor.
Safety
Even if described as a peptide with many positive effects, the administration of Melanotan II is closely related to various serious side effects. If it is used in an adequate dose, exclusively according to the indications, and under the strict supervision of a doctor, it could be potentially effective in treating certain conditions. Doctors and patients are advised to use it with caution. With the beneficial effects achieved so far, Melanotan II will continue to be the subject of future research.