Side-by-side · Research reference
Melanotan-IIvsSelank
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-MechanisticDraft11/40 cited
Melanotan-II
MC1R + MC4R agonist · Tanning + sexual response
SQ · Abdomen · Loading 5–7 days, then maintenance
Selank
Anxiolytic + Cognitive · Russian Pharma
Intranasal · 2–3×/day during stress / cognitive demand
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Selank
Primary target
MC1R (skin) + MC3R + MC4R (CNS sexual / appetite)Dorr 1996
Monoamine system (serotonin / GABA modulation) + immunomodulation via tuftsin domainZaderej 2014
Pathway
MC1R agonism → melanocyte tyrosinase → eumelanin synthesis. MC4R → autonomic sexual arousal centresDorr 1996Simerly 2023
Tuftsin-derived immune signaling + CNS monoamine modulation → reduced anxiety + improved mood / cognitionMedvedev 2007
Downstream effect
Skin darkening, photo-protection, increased sexual desire / spontaneous erectionDorr 1996
Anxiolytic + cognitive enhancement; immunomodulation via increased IL-6 + IFN-γMedvedev 2007Zaderej 2014
Origin
Cyclic 7-AA modified α-MSH analog; designed at University of ArizonaDorr 1996
Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from human tuftsin (immune-system tetrapeptide)Zaderej 2014
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Selank
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
2–3× per day during stress
Lower / starter dose
0.1 mg / day
Conservative starter — assess tolerability for nausea.
75 mcg / dose
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
10–14 day cycles, repeated as needed
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water; protect from light
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water
Timing
Evening preferred (24h tan-development cycle)
Morning + early afternoon preferred
Half-life
~1 hour plasma; effects on melanocytes persist days
Short (minutes plasma); CNS effect lasts ~3 hr
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Selank
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 — insufficient data
Nasal irritation
—
Mild burning or congestion (transient)
Cognitive impairment
—
None — opposite effect (enhancement)
Allergic reaction
—
Rare hypersensitivity
Long-term safety
—
Limited Western RCT data
Absolute Contraindications
Melanotan-II
- ·History of melanoma or atypical mole syndrome
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Active uncontrolled hypertension
Selank
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Hypersensitivity to peptide
Relative Contraindications
Melanotan-II
- ·Significant freckling / dysplastic nevus
- ·Personal or family melanoma history
Selank
- ·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical via immunomodulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Melanotan-II
Selank
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL = 500 mcg per 0.1 mL. Light-protected.
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.
Intranasal — 1–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.
3. Timing
Evening preferred. UV exposure (sunlight or tanning bed) helps develop tan.
Morning + early afternoon for cognitive demand; PRN for acute anxiety.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
Refrigerate after reconstitution; ≤30 days. Light-protected.
5. Needle
29–31G insulin syringe.
Avoid co-administration with strong sedatives or other anxiolytics initially.