pepdex
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№ 004

MT-1 (Melanotan I)

Alpha-MSH analog. Drives melanin production. Cleaner side effect profile than MT-2.

Pigment
Evidence: Strong
Half-life
~1 hour
Route
Subcutaneous
Cycle
Loading 2-3 wks, then maintenance
Schedule
Daily loading → 1-2x weekly maintenance
In plain English

MT-1 mimics a hormone your body uses to make pigment in your skin. With sun or tanning-bed exposure, it gives you a darker tan from much less UV time. Cleaner side-effect profile than the more popular MT-2.

Status & legality
Natty?
Not natty
FDA
Approved

Approved as Afamelanotide (Scenesse), 2019, for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Compounding
Approved drug

Available as an FDA-approved drug, not a compounded peptide.

WADA
Not listed
Prescribed

Yes — Scenesse implant prescribed by dermatology / specialty providers for EPP. Off-label use for general pigmentation is outside the FDA approval.

Who it's for

  • →Light-skinned users wanting baseline tan with less UV time
  • →People who tried MT-2 and didn't tolerate the libido / nausea hit
  • →Anyone running it under medical context (Afamelanotide is the drug version)

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Nausea at first doses. Slight darkening if UV exposure is paired.

  2. Week 4

    Visible pigmentation if you've actually been in the sun.

  3. Week 8

    Maintenance phase. Pigment holds with weekly dosing + occasional UV.

Dosing protocol

Loading: 250-500 mcg sub-q daily for 2-3 weeks. Maintenance: 250-500 mcg, 1-2x weekly. UV exposure required.

Stacks well with

Standalone

Side effects

01Nausea (first doses, usually fades)
02Facial flushing
03Appetite suppression
04Mole / freckle darkening (mole-map first)
05Headache

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Personal history of melanoma
  • ⚠Atypical mole syndrome
  • ⚠Pregnancy / nursing

Common mistakes

  • • Skipping the mole-map baseline
  • • No UV exposure during the cycle (no pigment response)
  • • Confusing dosing protocol with MT-2

Owner notes

Personally ran 500mcg loading for 14 days, then 250mcg twice weekly. Pigment held cleanly. Take it before bed to sleep through the nausea on loading days.

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

Frequently asked

What is MT-1 (Melanotan I)?+
MT-1 mimics a hormone your body uses to make pigment in your skin. With sun or tanning-bed exposure, it gives you a darker tan from much less UV time. Cleaner side-effect profile than the more popular MT-2.
Is MT-1 (Melanotan I) FDA approved?+
Approved as Afamelanotide (Scenesse), 2019, for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Is MT-1 (Melanotan I) banned by WADA?+
MT-1 (Melanotan I) is not currently on the WADA prohibited list.
Are you still natty after taking MT-1 (Melanotan I)?+
No. MT-1 (Melanotan I) is a performance-enhancing peptide and would disqualify a strict natty claim.
Do doctors prescribe MT-1 (Melanotan I)?+
Yes — Scenesse implant prescribed by dermatology / specialty providers for EPP. Off-label use for general pigmentation is outside the FDA approval.
What's the typical dose of MT-1 (Melanotan I)?+
Loading: 250-500 mcg sub-q daily for 2-3 weeks. Maintenance: 250-500 mcg, 1-2x weekly. UV exposure required.
What are the side effects of MT-1 (Melanotan I)?+
Common side effects include: Nausea (first doses, usually fades); Facial flushing; Appetite suppression; Mole / freckle darkening (mole-map first). Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until MT-1 (Melanotan I) starts working?+
Nausea at first doses. Slight darkening if UV exposure is paired.