Oxytocin vs SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Cognitive EnhancementSexual Health & Libido
OxytocinAnti-Aging & Longevity
SS-31 (Elamipretide)- Summary
- Oxytocin is a 9-amino acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus with diverse roles in social bonding, trust, stress reduction, and sexual function. Exogenous administration is used therapeutically to improve social cognition, reduce anxiety, and enhance intimacy.
- SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a synthetic mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and protects cardiolipin from oxidative damage. It is one of the most promising mitochondrial longevity compounds, studied in clinical trials for heart failure, renal disease, and age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Half-Life
- ~3–5 minutes (IV); ~30–60 minutes (intranasal, CNS effects persist longer)
- ~2–5 hours
- Admin Route
- Intranasal, SubQ, IV
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 20–40 IU
- 5–10 mg
- Frequency
- As needed (not daily long-term)
- Daily to several times per week
- Key Benefits
- Enhances social bonding and trust
- Reduces social anxiety and fear of rejection
- Improves autism spectrum symptoms (social cognition)
- Reduces cortisol and stress reactivity
- Enhances sexual arousal and intimacy
- Promotes maternal behavior and bonding
- May improve depressive symptoms
- Appetite suppression and metabolic effects
- Restores mitochondrial function and ATP production
- Protects inner mitochondrial membrane cardiolipin
- Reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Improves exercise capacity and reduces fatigue
- Cardioprotective — studied in heart failure trials
- Renoprotective — reduces ischemic kidney injury
- Anti-aging via mitochondrial preservation
- Potential in neurodegenerative disease prevention
- Side Effects
- Mild uterine cramping (avoid in pregnancy)
- Nasal irritation (intranasal)
- Headache
- Potential emotional over-attachment or jealousy amplification
- +2 more
- Injection site irritation
- Nausea (rare)
- Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials
- Stacks With
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