Melanotan I vs Sermorelin & GHRP-2 & GHRP-6
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 →Sermorelin & GHRP-2 & GHRP-6
A powerful tri-blend combining Sermorelin (a GHRH analog) with two growth hormone releasing peptides. This combination produces significantly greater GH release than any single peptide, with studies showing up to 54-fold increases in pulsatile GH secretion.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Melanotan I | Sermorelin & GHRP-2 & GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to melanocortin 1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production. This increases skin pigmentation and provides photoprotection without UV exposure. | Sermorelin stimulates the pituitary via GHRH receptors, while GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 act as ghrelin mimetics on different receptor subtypes. The combination creates synergistic GH release through multiple complementary pathways. GHRP-6 also strongly stimulates appetite. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical: 16mg implant every 2 months. Research protocols for tanning typically use 0.5-1mg daily for loading, then maintenance dosing. | Typical protocols: Sermorelin 100-300mcg, GHRP-2 100-300mcg, GHRP-6 100-300mcg. Often administered 2-3 times daily, 30 minutes before meals or at bedtime. |
| Administration | FDA-approved form is a subcutaneous implant. Research use involves subcutaneous injection. Often combined with minimal UV exposure to enhance results. | Subcutaneous injection. Best administered fasted or before sleep to maximize natural GH cycle. The three peptides can be mixed together or administered separately. |
| Side Effects | Nausea (especially initially), facial flushing, fatigue, headache, and darkening of existing moles or freckles. | Increased hunger (especially from GHRP-6), water retention, facial flushing, nausea, tingling, potential increases in cortisol and prolactin levels. |
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