LONGEVITY · Injectable
Humanin.
Mitochondria-protective anti-ageing peptide
How it works
Class & mechanism.
Class
Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide (MDP)
Mechanism
Humanin is a 21–24 amino acid micropeptide encoded within a short open reading frame of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (MT-RNR2) — making it one of the only known signaling molecules encoded by mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA. It exerts potent anti-apoptotic effects by directly binding pro-apoptotic BAX and Bid proteins, blocking mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase cascade activation. At the cell surface, it engages receptor complexes including gp130/WSX-1/CNTFR and FPRL1 to activate STAT3 signaling, conferring neuroprotection and metabolic regulation. Humanin also counteracts IGF-1/GH signaling — circulating levels are inversely correlated with IGF-1 — and requires an intact daf-16/FOXO pathway to extend lifespan in model organisms.
Did you know
Humanin is encoded not in your nuclear DNA — where 99.9% of your genes live — but in the tiny separate genome of your mitochondria, meaning it is a direct communication signal sent by the organelles that power every cell in your body to tell the rest of the organism how to age.
Benefits
What it does.
Neuroprotection — blocks amyloid-β toxicity, reduces neuronal apoptosis, and enhances synaptic plasticity; circulating humanin levels are reduced in Alzheimer's patients relative to age-matched controls
Metabolic improvement — improves glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity by 20–30% in preclinical models, protects pancreatic beta-cells from apoptosis, and reduces markers of metabolic syndrome
Cardiovascular protection — preserves endothelial integrity, attenuates vascular inflammation and remodeling in atherosclerosis models, and reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury through STAT3 activation
Longevity association — blood humanin levels are approximately 2× higher in children of centenarians vs age-matched controls, and the peptide is conserved across species including long-lived naked mole rats
The science
Peer-reviewed findings.
Research supporting this compound's mechanisms and safety profile.
Children of centenarians have approximately 2-fold higher circulating humanin levels than age-matched controls whose parents did not reach 100, suggesting humanin is a heritable biomarker of exceptional longevity
SOURCE · Yen K et al., Aging (Albany NY), 2020; USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
In C. elegans, overexpression of humanin was sufficient to significantly increase lifespan in a daf-16/FOXO-dependent manner, providing causal mechanistic evidence for humanin's role in lifespan regulation
SOURCE · Yen K et al., Aging (Albany NY) 12:11185–11199, 2020
Humanin variant P3S (a single amino acid substitution) is associated with longevity specifically in APOE4 carriers and resists APOE4-induced brain pathology in human genetic association studies
SOURCE · Miller B et al., PMC11258485, 2024
Mid-life humanin administration to aging mice improved multiple healthspan markers including metabolic parameters and physical function, even though humanin treatment at this stage did not extend maximum lifespan — suggesting a critical window for benefit
SOURCE · Yen K et al., Aging (Albany NY), 2020; Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation monograph
Protocol
How to use it.
Dosing
Therapeutic dosing in humans not yet formally established. Preclinical protocols use 0.5–2 mg/kg subcutaneously or intraperitoneally for aging/longevity models. Clinical practitioners exploring off-label use report 200 mcg–2 mg/day subcutaneously; conservative starter protocols begin at 200–300 mcg/day.
Cycle
4–6 weeks on, 2–3 weeks off for lower doses; 6–12 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off for higher research protocols. Due to its very short plasma half-life (~30 minutes in mice), daily administration is typical. Long-term cycling patterns are not well established in humans.
Contraindications
When to skip it.
No human clinical safety trials completed. Context- and sex-dependent effects noted in preclinical studies — effects may differ between males and females, and in lean vs obese subjects. Humanin interacts with IGF-1/GH axis — those using growth hormone therapies should be aware of potential interactions. Use strictly under medical supervision.
Always cleared with your concierge before protocol start.
Pricing
What it costs.
Indicative range for Humanin, sourced from vetted US and EU dispensing suppliers. Concierge confirms the exact figure once your match is locked.
Indicative range (USD)
Sourced through vetted dispensing partners in the United States and European Union. Concierge confirms the exact figure once your match is locked.
- 0199% purity verified, third-party tested
- 02Includes vial and reconstitution guidance
- 03Concierge supplier match included with every protocol
See Humanin pricing — and your supplier match.
Pricing is unlocked once we know who you are. Take the 3-minute quiz and we'll match you to a US or EU dispensary based on your location and protocol fit.
- Live USD price range
- US & EU supplier shortlist
- Concierge sign-off on dosing
Indicative price range: $99–$149 USD