Melanotan II vs MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Sexual Health & Libido
Melanotan IIAnabolic & IGF
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)- Summary
- Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that stimulates melanin production (skin tanning), suppresses appetite, and enhances sexual function. It is not FDA-approved and has significant safety concerns including mole changes and cardiovascular effects.
- MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 that is locally produced in muscle tissue in response to mechanical damage from exercise. It activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) to proliferate and repair damaged fibers, making it specifically targeted at exercise-induced hypertrophy.
- Half-Life
- 1–2 hours
- Native MGF: minutes. PEG-MGF: ~3 days
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- SubQ, IM
- Research
- —
- —
- Typical Dose
- 0.25–0.5 mg
- 200–400 mcg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- 1–2 times per week
- Key Benefits
- Promotes skin tanning and melanin production
- Reduces UV exposure needed to tan
- Enhances libido and sexual function
- May suppress appetite
- Faster, deeper tan development
- Longer-lasting tan maintenance
- Potential photoprotective effects
- Activates muscle satellite cells for repair and growth
- Accelerates recovery from muscle damage
- Synergistic with IGF-1 LR3 (different mechanisms)
- Promotes muscle hypertrophy specifically at exercised muscles
- Faster recovery between training sessions
- Potential for injury repair in connective tissue
- Side Effects
- Nausea (very common, especially in first days)
- Facial flushing
- Spontaneous erections in men
- Darkening or changes in existing moles (monitor closely)
- +3 more
- Muscle soreness (satellite cell activation)
- Injection site irritation
- Hypoglycemia risk (modest, less than IGF-1 LR3)
- Stacks With
- —
- —