pepdex
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№ 020

MOTS-c

Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Targets metabolic flexibility, insulin sensitivity, and exercise response.

Metabolic
Evidence: Limited
Half-life
~2 hours
Route
Subcutaneous
Cycle
4-6 weeks
Schedule
3x weekly
In plain English

MOTS-c is a tiny peptide your mitochondria make. It's tied to insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility. Used as a metabolic support tool during cuts or when fasting tolerance is low.

Status & legality
Natty?
Grey area

Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Naturally produced, but exogenous use is a different question.

FDA
Not approved

Not FDA approved.

Compounding
Category 1

Compounding pharmacies may prepare under physician prescription (post Feb 2026 reclassification, pending formal FDA publication).

WADA
Banned (S2)

S2 broad peptide-hormone category likely captures it.

Prescribed

Not prescribed in conventional medicine.

Who it's for

  • →Users on a cut wanting metabolic support
  • →People with insulin-resistance markers
  • →Endurance athletes

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Subtle. Some report better fasted training tolerance.

  2. Week 4

    Body comp shifts in users running it alongside a cut.

  3. Week 8

    Plateau. Take a break.

Dosing protocol

5-10mg sub-q, 3x weekly, for 4-6 weeks.

Stacks well with

Retatrutide or Tirzepatide during cuts
Standalone for metabolic resets

Side effects

01Mild fatigue early
02Injection-site soreness

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Active malignancy
  • ⚠Pregnancy / nursing

Bloodwork to monitor

  • • Fasting glucose / insulin baseline + week 6

Common mistakes

  • • Running it without a clean diet (effects get masked)
  • • Skipping the cycle break

Educational only. User-specific dosing is between you and a qualified provider.

Frequently asked

What is MOTS-c?+
MOTS-c is a tiny peptide your mitochondria make. It's tied to insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility. Used as a metabolic support tool during cuts or when fasting tolerance is low.
Is MOTS-c FDA approved?+
Not FDA approved.
Is MOTS-c banned by WADA?+
MOTS-c is on the WADA prohibited list under Banned (S2). S2 broad peptide-hormone category likely captures it.
Are you still natty after taking MOTS-c?+
Grey area. Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Naturally produced, but exogenous use is a different question.
Do doctors prescribe MOTS-c?+
Not prescribed in conventional medicine.
What's the typical dose of MOTS-c?+
5-10mg sub-q, 3x weekly, for 4-6 weeks.
What are the side effects of MOTS-c?+
Common side effects include: Mild fatigue early; Injection-site soreness. Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until MOTS-c starts working?+
Subtle. Some report better fasted training tolerance.