Is MOTS-c legal?
MOTS-c is not FDA approved as a finished drug. For drug-tested athletes it is WADA banned (S4). Not prescribed in conventional medicine.. Legal status depends on your country and changes over time. This reflects US status at the time of writing and is not legal or medical advice.
Regulatory status
- FDA: Not FDA approved.
- WADA: Banned (S4)
- Prescription: Not prescribed in conventional medicine.
References
- MOTS-c: a mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating holistic metabolism — Lee C et al., Trends Endocrinol Metab, 2020
- MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis — Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al. (Lee C, senior author) — Nature Communications, 2021
- Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c, Diabetes, and Aging-Related Diseases — Kong BS, Lee C, Cho YM — Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 2023
Pepdex is an editorial reference, not medical advice. Peptides vary in legal and approval status by country, many are research compounds without full human safety data. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting anything.
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Last updated 2026-06-06.