Melanotan II is a non-selective melanocortin agonist that hits MC1R, MC3R and MC4R at once, which is why one molecule shows up in both pigmentation research and sexual-arousal research. It is the parent compound of PT-141. It is not an approved drug (afamelanotide is the only approved alpha-MSH analog), and published reviews flag melanoma and mole risk, with photo-documented mole mapping listed as the baseline monitoring step.
- Drives melanin production through MC1R, the melanogenesis pathway.Dorr 1996
- Also activates MC4R, the arousal receptor, which is exactly the pathway its derivative PT-141 was built around.Wessells 2000
- MC3R activity adds an energy signal on top of the pigment and arousal effects; appetite drop is reported separately as an observed effect.Complete Peptide Guide
- Community protocols report visible skin darkening within days.Community protocols
- Not an approved drug: afamelanotide remains the only approved alpha-MSH analog.Complete Peptide Guide