Melanotan 2 - 10mg

Melanotan 2 is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanoma-stimulating  hormone. Developed in the 1980's, Melanotan-2 has been shown to increase sexual arousal, redce compulsive/addictive behavior, curb hunger and increase melanin production. Research has shown the peptide to stimulate melanocytes therefore producing increased skin pigmentation and may help combat autism when used during early childhood development.

Melanotan 2 was developed in the 1980s, at the University of Arizona, after it was found that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone caused sexual arousal in rodents as well as darkening of the skin. Originally designed as a sunless tanning option, MT-2 was eventually found to have a wide range of effects such as: in

• increasing sexual arousal,
• promoting tanning or skin pigmentation,
• reducing compulsive behavior,
• controlling addiction,
• fighting hunger,
• reducing glucagon production, and 
• reversing features of autism.

Melanotan 2 produces its effects by binding with melanocortin receptors. There are five know melanocortin receptors, each with different function. MT-2 is know to bind primarily to MC-4R and MC-1R, but also binds weakly to MC-3R.

• MC-1R: Found on melanocytes, stimulation of MC-1R causes darkening of the skin and hair.
• MC-2R: Found in the adrenal glands, MC-2R binding promotes the secretion of adrenal Hormones, such as cortisol.
• MC-3R: MC-3R is involved in appetite control and energy regulation, but little else is know about this receptor.
• MC-4R: Stimulation of MC-4R causes changes in feeding and sexual behavior. It also affects male erectile function and energy homeostasis.
• MC-5R: MC-5R is expressed on sweat glands and pancreatic islet cells.

Melanotan 2 and Autism

The newest research finding for MT-2 indicates that the peptide can reverse certain autistic features in a commonly used mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is no treatment for the condition, but recent search has indicated that oxytocin therapy may be useful in mitigating some of the behavioral problems associated with ASD. Using a mouse model of maternal immune activation know to lead to autism, researchers investigated whether MT2, which is know to stimulate oxytocin release, could counteract ASD or reduce common ASd behaviors. Their research revealed that administration of MT-2 reverses the decreased communication, impaired social interaction, nd repetitie behaviors associated with autism in this particular model. In fact, the researchers found that MT-2 administration increased the expression of oxytocin recelptors in specific parts of the brain, suggesting a direct correlation between oxytocin signaling in those areas and ASD-specific behaviors.

These findings not only suggest potential avenues for developing a treatment of ASD, they have helped to define a specific brain pathway that may be integral to the development of ASD in the first place. These findings could help scientists develop a complete model of ASD and thus both treatments and preventative measures.

Melanotan 2 and Hunger

There is good evidence to suggest that MT-2 can reduce fat storage and hunger behavior in animal models. Researchers have found that the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R) plays a role in food preferences and intake and that MT-2 is a potent agonist for MC-4R. Administration of MT-2 to mice causes signifcant reductions in how much food they consume, but also changes their preference for fatty foods. Mice given MT-2 ignore fatty foods, which they would otherwise prefer Similarly, mice devoid of the MC-4R reeptor consume fatty foods almost exclusively and are immune to the effects of MT-2.

The effects of MT-2 are similar to those of the hormone leptin, sometis called the astiety hormone because it reduces crvings and food intake. Leptin, however, has never been useful in the treatment of obesity, even in individuals who are leptin deficient. This is likely because there are two pathways for satiety, called leptin-dependent and leptin-independent pathways. Research suggests MT-2 is more effective in stimulating  both pathways. Research suggests  MT-2 is more effective in stimulating both pathways and thus may be a more effective exogenous treatment for reducing hunger. This latter finding has been bolstered by  the discovery that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) gene expression, which has long been know to play a role in lepti-satiety pathway, is laso affectied by MC-4R stimulation. Both MT-2 and leptin are thought to cause an increase in TRH expression in the paraventricular nucleeus of the hypothalamus, a region of the brain associated with astiety and food intake, but only MT--2 crossses into the central nervous system in the concentration high enough to have an effect on TRH expression.