Anti-Aging

Humanin

Also known as: HN, HNG (S14G-humanin)

Preclinical
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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
Also Known As
HN, HNG (S14G-humanin)

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.

Trial Progress:Preclinical
Pre
I
II
III
IV
FDA

Dosing Information

Animal Studies·Primarily animal/preclinical research

Note: Animal study doses may not translate directly to humans.

Typical Dosing

Community experience

Common Dose

5-10 mg weekly divided into 2-3 injections

Range

5-10 mg per week

Frequency

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

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

Research This Peptide Further

Buy in shop

Humanin from $221/kit

2 verified vendors, ≥99% purity, COAs included.

Compare prices

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 Trials

DSIP, 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-Aging

SS-31

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SS-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-Aging

FOXO4-DRI

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FOXO4-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-Aging

Vesilute

Preclinical

Vesilute 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-Aging

Glutathione

Clinical Trials

Glutathione 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-Aging

NAD+ Precursors

Clinical Trials

NAD+ 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.

Anti-Aging

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