Melanotan 2

Treats Erectile Dysfunction

Evidence suggests that MT-2 has beneficial effects on sexual function:

1. In men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, MT-2 treatment successfully resulted in penile erections. [1]
2. In men with erectile dysfunction (ED), MT-2 treatment led to increased sexual desire and penile erection even without any sexual stimulation. [2-3]
3. In rats, MT-2 induced erections sufficient for sexual intercourse. [4]
4. In rabbits, intravenous injection of MT-2 resulted in increased pressure within the erectile tissue. [5]
5. In normal male volunteers, administration of MT-2 produced spontaneous, penile erections after 1-5 hours. [6]
6. A rat study showed that MT-2 was effective for skin tanning and could be used to prevent sunlight-induced skin cancers. [7]
7. In men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, MT-2 was effective in inducing an erection. [8]
8. In male rats, MT-2 injection successfully induced penile erection. [9]

Helps Lose Weight

Studies also found that MT-2 has fat-burning effects that can be beneficial in overweight and obese individuals:

1. In obese rats, MT-2 treatment resulted in increased fat breakdown. [10]
2. In rats, peripheral MT-2 treatment led to weight loss. [11]
3. A study showed that MT-2 could safely reduce fat mass without inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in rats. [12]
4. A study showed that continued MT-2 application consistently induced weight and fat loss in rat subjects. [13]
5. In rats, MT-2 treatment effectively reduced body mass without long-term food restrictions. [14]
6. A rat study also found that MT-2 treatment decreased food intake and increased energy expenditure. [15]
7. A study suggested that MT-2 treatment could be effective in treating obesity by stimulating leptin and melanocortin pathways in the brain.[16-17]

Prevents Cancer

Studies show that MT-2 also exerts anti-cancer properties that can help protect against skin cancer:

1. A study suggested that MT-2 application could prevent sunlight-induced skin cancer. [18]
2. In healthy volunteers, it was found that MT-1 was safe and effective for skin tanning when combined with solar UV light, and has protective effects against sunlight-induced skin cancer. [19]

Prevents Heart Disease

MT-2 has also been shown to exert cardioprotective properties:

1. In mice, MT-2 treatment had therapeutic benefits in pre-established atherosclerosis (plaque formation within the heart arteries) by limiting inflammation and promoting vascular endothelial function. [20]
2. In patients with coronary heart disease, it was found that they have altered levels of MT-2 in the heart. [21]
3. In an animal model of myocardial ischemia (inadequate blood flow to the heart), MT-2 treatment improved heart function by reducing oxidative stress and programmed cell death. [22]

Promotes Healthy Brain

Evidence suggests that MT-2 is essential for optimal brain function:

1. In rats, it was shown that treatment with melanocortin receptor agonists like melanotan 2 could regulate the activity of central dopamine neurons in the brain. [23]
2. In a mouse model of stroke, MT-2 treatment improved working memory. [24]
3. In rats, it was found that MT-2 levels were impaired in the group with cognitive dysfunction. [25]
4. A study reported that MT-2 may potentially treat mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. [26]
5. In rats, MT-2 promoted nerve regeneration in the brain and protected against injury. [27]
6. In a maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model of autism, MT-2 administration reversed the negative behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). [28]

Treats Inflammatory Disorders

A good deal of evidence supports the anti-inflammatory properties of MT-2:

1. In a mouse model of stroke, MT-2 treatment inhibited brain inflammation. [29]
2. In mice with plaque build-up within the heart, MT-2 inhibited plaque inflammation and promoted vascular endothelial function. [30]

Improves Blood Sugar Levels and Treats Symptoms of Diabetes

Studies suggest that MT-2 can help stabilize blood sugar levels and treat diabetic symptoms:

1. In rats, injection of MT-2 reduced food intake and body weight and improved insulin sensitivity. [31]
2. In rats fed with a high-fat diet, MT-2 reversed diabetes by suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. [32]
3. In mice, MT-2 and leptin administration induced increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscles. [33]

Treats Alcohol Abuse Disorder

MT-2 has also been found to significantly reduce alcohol intake which makes it beneficial for those with alcohol abuse disorder:

1. In male rats who were subjected to long-term voluntary alcohol consumption, MT-2 reduced alcohol intake. [34]
2. In mice, MT-2 administration reduced binge-like ethanol drinking. [35]
3. In a mouse model of alcohol abuse disorder, low-dose MT-2 reduced binge-ethanol drinking. [36]
4. In rats, MT-2 administration through injections at the border of the central amygdala nucleus and the basolateral amygdala resulted in reduced alcohol intake while increasing their water intake. [37]