Peptide Knowledge Base · Longevity

Humanin: what it is, what the evidence says, and its real status

A peptide your mitochondria encode themselves, studied for cell protection and aging. The science is young; it completes the mitochondrial set alongside MOTS-c.

Can you actually get it?

Plain-English verdict: No availability record.

Regulatory status: No regulatory record.

How does Humanin work?

A small peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA that signals cytoprotection and may buffer metabolic and oxidative stress.

What it does — and what it does not do

What it does: Studied for cell-protective and metabolic-stress responses in aging models.

What it does not do: It is not a proven therapy, has no approved use.

How honest is the evidence?

Evidence grade D — Animal and lab evidence; human trials still to come.

preclinical / early; mechanism interesting, human outcomes unestablished

A grade measures how much human evidence exists, not whether a molecule is good, safe, or worth your interest. Read our grading methodology for what each grade means.

What we still don't know: Human evidence is minimal; therapeutic effects and safety are unestablished.

WADA status: Not prohibited.

How it is taken

No established human clinical dosing; research-stage.

Who should not take it

Not characterized in humans; no established safety profile.

Sources

Lee et al., humanin / mitochondrial-derived-peptide literature

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. We keep two signals separate and never collapse them: whether you can get something, and what the rule currently says. See the live FDA Peptide Tracker for status.

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Last reviewed Jun 18, 2026 · Peptós.LIFE · Not medical advice.