At a glance
Effects
- Skin pigmentation / tanning: Stimulates melanin production in skin melanocytes via MC1R, producing progressive skin darkening without UV exposure [1].
- Appetite suppression: Acts on MC3R/MC4R neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus to reduce food intake and raise energy expenditure [5].
- Sexual arousal: α-MSH acts on MC3R and MC4R in the hypothalamus and brain regions to activate central sexual arousal pathways [7].
- Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory: Suppresses pro-inflammatory mediator gene transcription and modulates innate immune-cell activity via MC1R–cAMP signalling [6].
- Thermoregulation: Influences body temperature regulation via central melanocortin pathways; high doses in animal studies caused significant reductions in body temperature [8].
Peptide hormone / melanocortin
~1–25 min (biphasic; native form)
Subcutaneous injection (analogues); intranasal (research)
Not approved for general use; analogues banned by FDA
Afamelanotide (Scenesse) — EPP only
About Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Every point here is drawn from public medical and harm-reduction sources. A bracketed number after a claim — like [1]— is a reference: tap it to open the exact source it's based on (numbered list at the bottom). It is not a rating or score. Educational information, not medical advice.
Product specifics
- Est. delivery
- 3–7 business days · EU tracked
Product details as stated by the vendor (claims, not independently verified). Delivery is our standard EU estimate.
What it is
Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an endogenous 13-amino-acid peptide hormone of the melanocortin family, produced naturally from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary gland [1]. It is studied for its roles in skin pigmentation, appetite suppression, sexual arousal, and anti-inflammatory activity; synthetic analogues (e.g. afamelanotide, melanotan II) are the forms most commonly encountered outside clinical settings [2].
How it works
α-MSH acts as an agonist at melanocortin receptors (MC1R–MC5R), all of which are G protein-coupled receptors [3]. Binding to MC1R on melanocytes activates adenylyl cyclase, raises intracellular cAMP, and triggers the CREB/MITF transcription pathway, stimulating melanin synthesis (melanogenesis) [4]. Activation of MC3R/MC4R in the hypothalamus suppresses appetite and modulates sexual arousal [5]. Additional signalling through MC1R–cAMP also exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects [6]. Native α-MSH has a very short plasma half-life — a biphasic disappearance with a rapid first component (~1 min) and a slower second component (~25 min) — making it rapidly cleared in vivo [3].
Risks & side effects
Most important: Chronic stimulation of melanocytes carries a theoretically increased risk of melanoma, and unregulated α-MSH analogues purchased online are manufactured without regulatory oversight, quality control, or GMP standards, making contamination and dosing errors serious additional hazards [2][9]. Case reports on synthetic analogues link use to rhabdomyolysis and renal dysfunction [9].
Common
- Nausea and vomiting
- Facial flushing
- Skin hyperpigmentation beyond desired effect
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Spontaneous penile erection / unintended sexual arousal
Serious
- Darkening of pre-existing moles (nevi) and development of new nevi
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Renal dysfunction / renal infarction
- Unknown contaminant toxicity from unregulated internet-sourced product
Rare
- Potential increased melanoma risk from chronic melanocyte stimulation
- Priapism requiring surgical intervention (reported with synthetic analogues)
- Severe sympathomimetic toxicity syndrome
Safety & harm reduction
- Individuals with a personal or family history of melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome — chronic melanocyte stimulation may increase malignancy risk [2]
- Those with uncontrolled cardiovascular disease — analogues have been linked to elevated heart rate and blood pressure [9]
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals — no safety data exist
- Anyone using unregulated internet-sourced products — unknown sterility, ingredients, and dose accuracy [9]
- Dermatological skin check (full-body mole mapping) before and during any use — darkening or new nevi require urgent review [2]
- Blood pressure and heart rate monitoring during early use [9]
- Kidney function (serum creatinine / eGFR) — rhabdomyolysis and renal dysfunction have been reported [9]
- Creatine kinase (CK) if muscle pain or dark urine occurs (rhabdomyolysis screen) [9]
- Other melanocortin agonists or tanning agents — additive pigmentation and cardiovascular effects
- Antihypertensives — cardiovascular effects of analogues may antagonise or unpredictably interact
- Erectile-dysfunction drugs (PDE5 inhibitors) — additive pro-erectile effect; risk of priapism [7]
- Native α-MSH is not a commercially available human pharmaceutical — only approved analogues (afamelanotide for EPP) should be considered in clinical contexts [2]
- If any analogue is used, start at the lowest possible dose to assess individual sensitivity to nausea, flushing, and cardiovascular effects
- Never reconstitute or inject any peptide obtained from unverified internet sources — sterility cannot be confirmed [9]
- Cease use immediately and seek medical advice if moles change in colour, size, or shape [2]
Dosage context
No established safe or approved dosing regimen exists for native α-MSH in healthy humans — it is not an approved pharmaceutical for general use [2]. Research studies on synthetic analogues are not recommendations for human use [3]. Any dosing information circulating in community settings is unverified and should be treated with extreme caution.
Sources
- 1.Wikipedia — α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- 2.JAAD — Evaluation of synthetic α-MSH analogs (unregulated use)
- 3.PeptideInsight — Alpha-MSH research evidence & safety profile
- 4.MDPI Cosmetics — α-MSH binder polypeptide & melanogenesis
- 5.Karger Neuroendocrinology — α-MSH-mediated appetite regulation
- 6.PMC — Alpha-MSH: Anti-inflammatory antimicrobial peptide
- 7.PeptideInsight — Bremelanotide / sexual arousal pathway
- 8.PubMed — Massive doses of α-MSH thermoregulation (rabbit)
- 9.ResearchGate / JAAD — Risks of unregulated α-MSH analogue use
- 10.Wikipedia — Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (family overview)
This information is provided for educational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice. These substances can carry serious health risks; effects and safe use vary by individual. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Legal status varies by country — it is your responsibility to know your local law. We do not encourage misuse.
Other options for Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)· 5 offers
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This compound comes in different forms (e.g. injectable vs oral vs topical). Cost per mg is only comparable within the same form.
| Brand | Form | Strength | Pack | Price | Per mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Generic | — | — | 37,90 € | — | |
Driada | vial | 10 mg | 1 vial | 39,90 € | — |
Generic | vial | 10 mg | 10 vial | 179,99 € | — |
GenericSelected | vial | 10 mg | 10 vial | 179,99 € | — |
Generic | vial | 10 mg | 10 vial | 550,00 € | — |