MOTS-c
2 mg · Mon/Wed/Sat/Sun (4×/week)
Robert
Founder, F*CK Getting Old — independent researcher, not a medical professional.
Last reviewed · 3 cited sources
Evidence
- Human Studies
- 1
- Animal Studies
- 25
- Clinical Status
- Research
- Confidence
- Low
- Long-Term Safety
- Unknown — essentially no controlled human safety data for supplementation
What this score is: a measure of how much research exists and how far along it is (animal-only vs. human trials, research-stage vs. FDA approved) — not how safe, effective, or worth trying a compound is. A low score usually means “early stage” or “understudied,” not “bad.” A high score doesn’t mean “better” for your goals than a lower-scored one.
This is not my personal rating of the compound, not a recommendation, and not medical advice. It’s a general research synthesis for informational purposes only, not a live literature count. See the linked research and talk to a licensed clinician before making decisions based on it.
Mechanism
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in animal models for roles in metabolic regulation and exercise-mimetic effects (AMPK activation). Human data is essentially limited to observational studies of naturally circulating levels — controlled human trials of supplementation/injection are largely absent as of this writing.
Common Protocols
- 2 mg 4x/week, subcutaneous — dosing derived from research forums and animal-study extrapolation, not established human protocols
Side Effects
- Injection site irritation
- No systematic human safety data available
Interactions
- No formal interaction data exists
Practical Details
- Cost
- $$
- Typical Vial Size
- 10 mg
- Storage
- Refrigerate after reconstitution
Key Studies & Reviews
- Lee C et al. (2015). The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. PMID 25738459.
- Reynolds JC et al. (2021). MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline. Nat Commun. PMID 33473109.
- Zheng Y et al. (2023). MOTS-c: a promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Front Endocrinol. PMID 36761202.
Search the Research
MOTS-c FAQ
What is the typical MOTS-c dosage?
Commonly reported protocols: 2 mg 4x/week, subcutaneous — dosing derived from research forums and animal-study extrapolation, not established human protocols. Our reference entry uses 2 mg, Mon/Wed/Sat/Sun (4×/week). These reflect protocols reported in research and user communities, not a medical recommendation — dosing should be decided with a clinician.
What are the side effects of MOTS-c?
Reported side effects include: Injection site irritation; No systematic human safety data available.
Is MOTS-c FDA approved?
MOTS-c is not FDA approved for human use and is generally sold as a research chemical, so purity and dosing are not regulated.
How much research is there on MOTS-c?
Our evidence profile counts roughly 1 human and 25 animal studies, with low overall confidence. Long-term safety: Unknown — essentially no controlled human safety data for supplementation.
Does MOTS-c interact with other drugs or supplements?
No formal interaction data exists.
How do I reconstitute MOTS-c?
A common setup is a 10 mg vial mixed with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, which puts a 2 mg dose at about 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Use the reconstitution calculator with your own vial and dose to get exact numbers. Storage: Refrigerate after reconstitution.
Related compounds
Mitochondria-targeting antioxidant