Humanin
Also known as: HN, HNG (S14G-humanin)
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Humanin from $221/kit
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Key Facts: Humanin
- Category
- Anti-Aging
- FDA Status
- Not FDA Approved
- Clinical Status
- Preclinical - Extensive animal research
- Administration
- Injection (route varies)
- Typical Dose
- 5-10 mg weekly divided into 2-3 injections
- Frequency
- 2-3x weekly (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
- Duration
- Variable
Mechanism of Action
Humanin is fundamentally a cell-survival signal that blocks apoptosis, the programmed self-destruct cells run when stressed. It binds a trimeric receptor complex made of CNTFR, WSX-1, and gp130 on the cell surface, switching on JAK2/STAT3 survival signaling. Inside the cell it directly grabs the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and stops it from moving to the mitochondria and punching holes in the membrane, which is the step that would otherwise commit the cell to death. It also binds IGFBP-3, modulating IGF-1 signaling and further dialing down apoptosis, and it interacts with formyl peptide receptors. The throughline across all of these is the same: keep stressed cells alive and protect mitochondria.
Research Summary
Humanin is one of the best-characterized mitochondrial peptides in the lab, with a large body of in vitro and animal work. It protects neurons against amyloid-beta toxicity, shields retinal pigment epithelium cells from oxidative stress and senescence, and shows protective effects in models of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Circulating humanin declines with age in humans, and some studies link higher endogenous levels to better metabolic and longevity markers, which fuels the longevity interest. But that is association and animal data, not proof that taking humanin treats any disease. There are no large completed randomized human trials demonstrating clinical benefit, and most of what is sold to consumers is synthetic humanin or analogues like HNG, used far ahead of the evidence. It is a compelling research molecule, not a validated drug.
Dosing Information
Note: Animal study doses may not translate directly to humans.
Typical Dosingⓘ
Community experience
5-10 mg weekly divided into 2-3 injections
5-10 mg per week
2-3x weekly (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Subcutaneous injection to abdomen or thigh. Cycle 2-4 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off. Often stacked with MOTS-c and NAD+ for mitochondrial support. Store lyophilized at 0-5°C; reconstituted solution stable 5 days at 4°C or freeze for longer storage.
Research Dosingⓘ
Scientific studies
Doses from research protocols
Doses from Studies
Research varies widely
HNG analogs used at higher doses
Duration
Variable
Administration
Injection (route varies)
Timing & Administration
Best Time to Take
Morning
Once daily
Food Recommendation
With or without food
Why This Timing?
Humanin is a mitochondrial peptide. Morning use supports daytime cellular energy demands.
Possible Side Effects
Not everyone experiences these effects. Individual responses vary based on dosage, duration, and personal factors.
- ●Generally well-tolerated (preclinical)
- ●Mild injection site reactions
- ●Potential pro-tumoral effects
- ●May affect glucose metabolism
- ●No human clinical trial data
References
- https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/12/1534
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4811181/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29265109/
- https://jme.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/jme/50/1/R11.xml
Research This Peptide Further
Buy in shop
Humanin from $221/kit
2 verified vendors, ≥99% purity, COAs included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Humanin do?
Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA (in the 16S rRNA gene), discovered in 2001 and named for its ability to protect human neurons from Alzheimer-related cell death. It was the first member of the mitochondrial-derived peptide family and is studied mainly for neuroprotection, cell survival, and metabolic and age-related disease. The honest status: it has the deepest preclinical evidence base of any mitochondrial peptide, but human therapeutic trials are essentially absent.
How does Humanin work?
Humanin is fundamentally a cell-survival signal that blocks apoptosis, the programmed self-destruct cells run when stressed. It binds a trimeric receptor complex made of CNTFR, WSX-1, and gp130 on the cell surface, switching on JAK2/STAT3 survival signaling. Inside the cell it directly grabs the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and stops it from moving to the mitochondria and punching holes in the membrane, which is the step that would otherwise commit the cell to death. It also binds IGFBP-3, modulating IGF-1 signaling and further dialing down apoptosis, and it interacts with formyl peptide receptors. The throughline across all of these is the same: keep stressed cells alive and protect mitochondria.
Is Humanin FDA approved?
No, Humanin is not currently FDA approved. Current status: Preclinical - Extensive animal research
What are the side effects of Humanin?
Reported side effects include: Generally well-tolerated (preclinical), Mild injection site reactions, Potential pro-tumoral effects, May affect glucose metabolism, No human clinical trial data. Individual responses vary based on dosage, duration, and personal health factors.
What is the typical dose of Humanin?
Community-reported common dose: 5-10 mg weekly divided into 2-3 injections (2-3x weekly (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday)). Range: 5-10 mg per week. Administration: Injection (route varies). Community-reported doses. Not medical advice. Consult healthcare provider.
Related Peptides
Peptides commonly compared with Humanin or used in similar applications.
DSIP
Clinical TrialsDSIP, or delta sleep-inducing peptide, is a small naturally occurring nonapeptide (sequence Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu) first isolated in the 1970s from the blood of sleeping rabbits. As the name suggests, it was named for its ability to promote delta-wave (deep, slow-wave) sleep in animals. Despite five decades of study it has no regulatory approval and the human evidence for it as a sleep aid is weak and inconsistent.
Anti-AgingSS-31
FDASS-31 (sequence D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2), known generically as elamipretide and sold as FORZINITY, is a synthetic tetrapeptide that homes in on the energy-producing machinery inside your cells. It works by binding cardiolipin, a fat unique to the inner mitochondrial membrane, to help mitochondria run cleaner and make more ATP with less oxidative damage. This is the rare research peptide with a real regulatory finish line: the FDA granted it accelerated approval in September 2025 for Barth syndrome, though it has failed several other major trials.
Anti-AgingFOXO4-DRI
PreclinicalFOXO4-DRI is an experimental senolytic peptide, meaning it is designed to kill off worn-out 'zombie' cells (senescent cells) while leaving healthy ones alone. It comes from a single influential 2017 mouse study and is engineered with a clever stability trick. It has never been tested in a human clinical trial, so anything beyond 'promising in mice' is speculation.
Anti-AgingVesilute
PreclinicalVesilute is marketed as a Khavinson-style short peptide bioregulator aimed at the urinary bladder and lower urinary tract. Vendor sources cannot even agree on its sequence: some list a Glu-Asp dipeptide, others a Lys-Glu-Asp tripeptide. There are no approvals and, importantly, no peer-reviewed studies published specifically on a peptide called Vesilute, so almost everything written about it is extrapolated from the broader bioregulator family rather than direct evidence.
Anti-AgingGlutathione
Clinical TrialsGlutathione is the body's main intracellular antioxidant, a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine (often written GSH). It is sold as oral, IV, topical, and inhaled products and marketed for everything from detox and immune support to skin lightening, but its real, evidence-backed role is as a redox buffer that neutralizes oxidative stress and supports liver detoxification. Some clinical evidence exists for specific uses, while many popular claims, especially IV skin whitening, rest on weak or risky data.
Anti-AgingNAD+ Precursors
Clinical TrialsNAD+ precursors are not peptides. They are small molecules, mainly nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), that the body converts into NAD+, a coenzyme every cell needs to make energy and run repair enzymes. NAD+ falls with age, so these precursors are sold as anti-aging and metabolic supplements. Human trials confirm they reliably raise blood NAD+ levels, but clear proof of real health benefits in people is still missing.
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