MOTS-c
Mitochondrial peptide linked to the AMPK pathway
Experimental material. Read before using anything from here.
Nothing on this page is a medical recommendation, prescription or treatment plan. It is an organized translation of protocols circulating in research communities and, where it exists, of what published trials tested. The two are marked differently — and they are not equivalent.
Most of the compounds here have no FDA approval for human use. Several are sold labeled "research use only", which means they have not gone through purity, sterility or dosage controls for human consumption. A community-reported dose is not a validated dose: it is what someone reported having done.
Talk to a licensed health professional before considering any of these compounds. If you already use one and feel anything unexpected, seek care — do not wait for the next routine test.
Summary
Short for mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c. A 16-amino-acid peptide that the mitochondria themselves produce. Interest lies in AMPK signaling, insulin sensitivity and metabolism — which is why it appears combined with GLP-1 agonists.
Quick reference
- Route
- Subcutaneous — the format used in animal studies and in reported planning.
- Schedule
- Common planning: 5 mg, 2 to 3 times a week, for 4 to 8 weeks.
- Measure
- 10 mg vial + 1.0 mL of bacteriostatic water. A 5 mg dose = 0.5 mL = 50 units on the U-100.
- Status
- Not approved. Since April 22, 2026 it is no longer in FDA Category 2.
MOTS-c Dosage Chart
| Tier | Dose | Frequency | Cycle length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-end starting tier | 5 mg | 2x per week | 4 weeks | Used by researchers checking tolerance and histamine response. |
| Standard tier | 5 mg | 3x per week | 4-6 weeks | Most common research-planning anchor for steady AMPK signaling. |
| Higher tier | 10 mg | 2-3x per week | 6–8 weeks | Reported in the upper end of community protocols. Side effects and quality risk rise with dose. |
MOTS-c Dosage Chart
| Approach | Duration | Off period | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | First-time tolerance review. |
| Standard | 6 weeks | 4-6 weeks | Most published animal protocols and community references. |
| Extended | 8 weeks | 6–8 weeks | Used in research planning that tracks endpoints over a longer block. |
MOTS-c Reconstitution Guide
| Step | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Vial size | 10 mg | The starting amount of peptide in the vial. |
| BAC water added | 1.0 mL | Sets the final concentration. More water means a weaker mix per mL. |
| Final concentration | 10 mg/mL | Each 1 mL of liquid carries 10 mg of MOTS-c. |
| 5 mg dose volume | 0.5 mL | Half a milliliter of liquid for one 5 mg dose. |
| 5 mg dose in syringe units | 50 units (U-100) | Standard U-100 insulin syringes show 100 units = 1 mL, so 50 units = 0.5 mL. |
MOTS-c Timeline & What to Monitor
| Window | What is reported | What to Track |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | Steadier daytime energy is reported in clinic literature. | Subjective energy notes; sleep timing. |
| Weeks 3-4 | Workout tolerance and recovery are described as smoother. | Workout logs; recovery feel. |
| Weeks 4-6 | Body-composition shifts described in animal protocols may begin to show up in humans, though without published RCT confirmation. | Waist circumference; bodyweight trend; fasting glucose if available. |
| End of cycle | Reasonable point to stop and review. | Compare baseline notes to end-of-cycle notes; do not extend without a review. |
MOTS-c vs Tesamorelin vs SS-31
| Peptide | Primary mechanism | Typical research context | Regulatory status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOTS-c | Mitochondria-derived AMPK activator. | Metabolic flexibility, exercise capacity, aging research. | Not FDA-approved; WADA banned at all times. |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analog that raises growth hormone release. | FDA-approved for HIV-associated visceral fat; community use for body composition. | FDA-approved for one indication. See Tesamorelin protocol. |
| SS-31 | Targets cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. | Mitochondrial repair and ischemia research. | Not FDA-approved. See SS-31 protocol. |
| Metformin (drug, not peptide) | AMPK activator, among other effects. | FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; widely studied for healthy aging. | FDA-approved prescription drug. |
Storage and handling
The rules below apply to practically every lyophilized peptide in this reference. Where a compound has its own requirement, it appears in the table in the previous section.
- Lyophilized powder, sealed: refrigerator, between 2 and 8 °C, protected from light. Many tolerate room temperature for short transport periods, but that is tolerance, not a recommendation.
- After reconstitution: always refrigerated, between 2 and 8 °C. The stability window drops to days or a few weeks, depending on the compound.
- Never freeze after reconstituting. The freeze–thaw cycle degrades the peptide.
- Do not shake. Swirl the vial slowly. Shaking breaks the peptide chain.
- Bacteriostatic water down the wall of the vial, in a slow stream, not squirted directly onto the powder.
- Cloudy solution, with particles or a color change: discard. There is no recovery.
Lab tests and monitoring
This list is the one that appears recurrently in the source, with small variations by compound. It serves as a starting point for a conversation with a professional — not as a substitute for that conversation.
- Before starting: complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, fasting glucose and HbA1c, TSH and free T4, blood pressure and resting heart rate.
- Depending on the compound: IGF-1 (GH axis), lipase and amylase (VIP and the incretin agonists), serum copper and ceruloplasmin (GHK-Cu and blends containing it), CRP.
- Reassessment: most protocols review between week 4 and week 8, and then every 8–12 weeks.
- Do not wait for the routine lab test in the face of abdominal pain, visual changes, a change in a mole, shortness of breath, asymmetric swelling or any new and persistent symptom. That is a reason to seek care, not a spreadsheet item.
Evidence limits
Data source: peptidedosingprotocols.com, accessed on September 3, 2026. Translation and organization in Portuguese are original work. No primary source (PubMed, trial registry, package insert) was checked in building this page — the check was against the secondary source, and that alone.