Melanotan II Can Do More Than Tan
After the discovery of a naturally-occurring peptide that stimulates melatonin production (which was unimaginatively named "Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone"), scientists swiftly became excited by the possibilities. Here was a chemical that could tan skin without the risks associated with tanning beds (i.e. Increased risks of skin cancer like Melanoma)!
Then when researchers at the University of Arizona were able to synthesize an artificial version of the peptide, in fact, it was introduced as a way to prevent the formation of skin cancer in susceptible individuals. Dubbed "Melanotan" (followed by the improved "Melanotan II"), this compound was found to be more stable than the natural peptide and 1,000 times more effective!
But early clinical trials swiftly demonstrated that, for better or worse, Melanotan does much more than tan!
Uckert, Bannowsky, Albrecht, and Kuczyk (2014) found that melanocortin receptor agonists like Melanotan II are highly effective at activating the central melanocortin system involved in both male and female sexual function. For this reason Melanotan II has been reported as having “aphrodisiac” effects. This effect was discovered accidentally when initial male subjects in sunless tanning trials reported spontaneous penile erections. Several follow-up studies have determined that Melanotan II seems to be an effective treatment for male erectile dysfunction (physical or psychological) as well as female arousal and orgasm disorders.
If such a versatile and effective aphrodisiac turns out to truly be safe for human use, it could well become the most commercially viable drug of all time! Throughout history, people have always gone nuts for aphrodisiacs, whether or not they were effective. Often substances marketed as "aphrodisiacs" were ineffective and marketed on superstition more than anything, but for Melanotan, "aphrodisiac" seems to be an understatement! Just think of all the rhinos and deer that would still have their horns, all the goats and tigers that would still have their penises if effective medicinal cures were discovered earlier! Melanotan’s aphrodisiacal properties have given even more cause for excitement than its original function as a sun-less tanning agent.
Preliminary studies on mice (Rinne et. Al. 2014) found that Melanotan II can even be an effective therapy for atherosclerosis. The Melanotan II peptide treatments not only limited plaque inflammation in mice, but also improved vascular endothelial function.
Another study (Xu et. Al. 2014) found that Melanotan II had profound effects on metabolism: when administered intraperitonally it swiftly decreased body temperature and energy expenditure. Again it shows potent medical applications (e.g. As a fever reducer), but it is obviously not a compound to be taken lightly!
It seems that the effects of Melanotan II vary based on where it is applied and the course of treatment. While it was originally synthesized to increase melanin production, it's full impact on health and vigor may be MUCH greater. While Melanotan II is still in an experimental stage, and scientists are still trying to determine its health effects, its multiple applications make it an unusually promising substance to research, and hence a substance that's value is likely to skyrocket if and when it becomes approved for human use.
Rinne P1, Silvola JM2, Hellberg S2, Ståhle M2, Liljenbäck H2, Salomäki H2, Koskinen E2, Nuutinen S2, Saukko P2, Knuuti J2, Saraste A2, Roivainen A2, Savontaus E2 (Jul 2014). “Pharmacological activation of the melanocortin system limits plaque inflammation and ameliorates vascular dysfunction in atherosclerotic mice.” Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. PMID: 24790139.
Uckert S1, Bannowsky A, Albrecht K, Kuczyk MA (Nov. 2014). “Melanocortin receptor agonists in the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunctions: results from basic research and clinical studies.” Expert Opin Investig Drugs. PMID: 25096243.
Xu Y., Kim ER., Fan S, Xia Y., Xu Y., Huang C., Tong Q (Aug 2014). "Profound and rapid reduction in body temperature induced by the melanocortin receptor agonists." Biochem Biophys Res Commun. PMID: 25065745.
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