Side-by-side · Research reference
Melanotan-IIvsPinealon
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 1Reviewed9/43 cited
BHuman-MechanisticDraft12/36 cited
Melanotan-II
MC1R + MC4R agonist · Tanning + sexual response
SQ · Abdomen · Loading 5–7 days, then maintenance
Pinealon
Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective
SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Pinealon
Primary target
MC1R (skin) + MC3R + MC4R (CNS sexual / appetite)Dorr 1996
Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014
Pathway
MC1R agonism → melanocyte tyrosinase → eumelanin synthesis. MC4R → autonomic sexual arousal centresDorr 1996Simerly 2023
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014
Downstream effect
Skin darkening, photo-protection, increased sexual desire / spontaneous erectionDorr 1996
Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014
Feedback intact?
—
—
Origin
Cyclic 7-AA modified α-MSH analog; designed at University of ArizonaDorr 1996
Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Pinealon
Maintenance
0.5–1.0 mg 1–2×/week
After visible tan develops; supports with UV exposure.
—
Frequency
Daily during loading; 1–2× per week maintenance
Once daily during cycle
Lower / starter dose
0.1 mg / day
Conservative starter — assess tolerability for nausea.
2.5 mg / day
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
10-day cycles, 1–2× per year
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water; protect from light
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
Evening preferred (24h tan-development cycle)
No specific time
Half-life
~1 hour plasma; effects on melanocytes persist days
Hours
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Pinealon
Nausea
Common, especially loading phase
—
Flushing
Common transient
—
Increased mole / freckle pigmentation
Existing moles darken; new lesions possible
—
Melanoma risk
Theoretical concern — increased melanocyte activity; CAUTION in melanoma history
—
Appetite suppression
MC4R-mediated; mild
—
Pregnancy / OB
Contraindicated
Avoid
Injection site reaction
—
Mild irritation
Long-term safety
—
Limited Western data
Absolute Contraindications
Melanotan-II
- ·History of melanoma or atypical mole syndrome
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Active uncontrolled hypertension
Pinealon
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
Melanotan-II
- ·Significant freckling / dysplastic nevus
- ·Personal or family melanoma history
Pinealon
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Pinealon
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL = 500 mcg per 0.1 mL. Light-protected.
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.
SQ — abdomen preferred.
3. Timing
Evening preferred. UV exposure (sunlight or tanning bed) helps develop tan.
Daily during cycle, any time.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G insulin syringe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
Melanotan-II
— no documented stacks
Pinealon
+ Epitalon
ModeratePinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.
- Pinealon
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
- Epitalon
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
- Primary benefit
- Neuroprotection + telomere preservation