Melanotan I vs MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Melanotan I
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is FDA-approved as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic disorder causing severe sun sensitivity.
Full details →MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 that is produced locally in muscle tissue in response to mechanical stress. The non-PEGylated form has a very short half-life.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Melanotan I | MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to melanocortin 1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production. This increases skin pigmentation and provides photoprotection without UV exposure. | Activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) and promotes their proliferation without differentiation, priming them for fusion with existing muscle fibers during repair and growth. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical: 16mg implant every 2 months. Research protocols for tanning typically use 0.5-1mg daily for loading, then maintenance dosing. | Due to extremely short half-life (minutes), typical protocols use 100-200mcg injected directly into target muscles immediately post-workout. |
| Administration | FDA-approved form is a subcutaneous implant. Research use involves subcutaneous injection. Often combined with minimal UV exposure to enhance results. | Intramuscular injection into trained muscles within minutes of workout completion. Must be used immediately after reconstitution due to instability. |
| Side Effects | Nausea (especially initially), facial flushing, fatigue, headache, and darkening of existing moles or freckles. | Injection site soreness, potential hypoglycemia, localized swelling. Short half-life limits systemic effects. |
| Best For |