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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
PeptidesDBan atlas
Side-by-side · Research reference

PinealonvsSS-31

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AHuman-MechanisticDraft12/36 cited
BPhase 3Reviewed9/43 cited
Pinealon
Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective
5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2014
HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2014
HoursHalf-life (est)
SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year
SS-31
Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective
40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014
Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009Szeto 2014
~3 hrHalf-life
SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
Pinealon
SS-31
Primary target
Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014
Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014
Pathway
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014
Cardiolipin binding → cristae stabilisation → ETC integrity → reduced ROS + preserved ATP synthesisSzeto 2014Szilagyi 2009
Downstream effect
Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014
Mitochondrial bioenergetic preservation; cardio-, neuro-, and reno-protective effects in animal + clinical studiesSzeto 2014
Feedback intact?
—
—
Origin
Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014
Synthetic tetrapeptide D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂; cell-permeable, mitochondrial-selectiveSzeto 2014
Antibody development
—
—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
Pinealon
SS-31
Standard dose
5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014
40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014
Anecdotal community range 5-10 mg/day. Phase 3 trials use 40 mg.
Frequency
Once daily during cycle
Once daily
Lower / starter dose
2.5 mg / day
5 mg / day (anecdotal)
Evidence basis
Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014
Multiple Phase 3 trials (Barth, AMD, ischemia-reperfusion)Szeto 2014Szilagyi 2009
Duration
10-day cycles, 1–2× per year
Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
No specific time
Morning fasted preferred; pre-workout for exercise-induced mitochondrial stress
Half-life
Hours
~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
Pinealon
SS-31
Injection site reaction
Mild irritation
Erythema, mild pruritus
Long-term safety
Limited Western data
Phase 3 data over 24+ months; no major safety signalsSzeto 2014
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid — insufficient data
GI symptoms
—
Nausea (uncommon)
Headache
—
Reported in some Phase 3 trials
Cardiovascular
—
Cardio-protective in studies; no signal of harm
Absolute Contraindications
Pinealon
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
SS-31
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • ·Hypersensitivity to peptide
Relative Contraindications
Pinealon
  • ·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)
SS-31
  • ·None established

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
Pinealon
SS-31
1. Reconstitution
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.
Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen preferred.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Daily during cycle, any time.
Morning fasted; pre-workout for exercise-augmented mitochondrial stress.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Pinealon
+ Epitalon
Moderate
View Epitalon →

Pinealon (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
Khavinson 2014Khavinson 2003
SS-31
+ MOTS-c
Moderate
View MOTS-c →

SS-31 and MOTS-c address mitochondrial decline through complementary axes. SS-31 protects existing mitochondrial structure (cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation). MOTS-c upregulates AMPK/PGC-1α, triggering biogenesis of new mitochondria. Together they pair preservation with renewal — anecdotally favoured in healthspan and post-cardio-event recovery protocols.

SS-31
5–10 mg SQ · daily morning
MOTS-c
5 mg SQ · 2× per week pre-workout
Primary benefit
Mitochondrial preservation + biogenesis