Humanin

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. It was discovered in 2001 by researchers searching for endogenous factors that protect neurons from Alzheimer's-related toxicity. Humanin is one of the first identified mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs), a class that also includes MOTS-c and the SHLPs. It is studied for neuroprotection, metabolic health, and longevity, and is sold strictly for laboratory research.

Humanin is one of the most fascinating peptides in biology — a tiny molecule encoded inside your mitochondria that appears to protect cells from many kinds of stress, especially in the brain. Levels of Humanin decline with age, and people with higher Humanin tend to have better metabolic and cognitive markers. It is a frequent topic in longevity research alongside MOTS-c and NAD+.

Humanin binds a heterotrimeric receptor complex (CNTFR/WSX-1/gp130) and engages another receptor (FPR2) on target cells. It activates STAT3 signaling, suppresses apoptosis under stress, improves insulin sensitivity, and protects neurons from amyloid-beta toxicity in Alzheimer's models. It is considered a key 'cellular survival' signal sent from mitochondria to the rest of the body.

Cytoprotective mitochondrial-derived peptide. Protects cardiovascular tissue and neurons.

1. Humanin
2. Mitochondrial and cellular-maintenance pathways
3. NAD+ availability, mitohormesis or senescent-cell signalling
4. Cellular-ageing and metabolic-resilience endpoints

A plain-English read on how much published evidence currently exists for Humanin. These ratings describe the volume and maturity of the literature — not effectiveness, safety, or suitability for any use.

Current limitations: most compounds in this category are studied in preclinical or small-sample settings. Absence of large controlled human trials is the single biggest limitation to keep in mind when reading any summary of Humanin.

Lyophilized compounds are supplied as a dry powder. Concentration is simply the total amount in the vial divided by the volume of bacteriostatic water added:

Concentration (mg/mL) = total mg in vial ÷ mL of diluent added

Commonly supplied vial sizes

5mg or 10mg vial

Worked concentration example

5mg + 2mL BAC water → 2.5mg/mL On U-100 insulin syringe:

• • 20 units = 500mcg
• • 100 units = 2.5mg

Run your own numbers with the reconstitution calculator — it converts vial size and diluent volume into mg/mL and mcg/mL.

The figures below are reported here descriptively, because they are the values most frequently cited in publicly available research literature and reference material. They are not instructions, not a protocol, and not a recommendation. These compounds are supplied for laboratory research use only and are not approved by the FDA for human consumption.

Commonly cited amounts

5–10mg, 2–3× weekly subcutaneous

Commonly cited frequency

2–3× weekly

Commonly cited study duration

4–8 weeks

Peptides are supplied freeze-dried because peptide bonds degrade far faster in solution than in a dry state. Understanding storage is part of understanding why the powder form exists at all.

• •Lyophilized powder: stored refrigerated, typically stable for months to years.
• •Reconstituted solution: refrigerated at 2–8°C, generally discussed as stable for roughly 30–60 days.
• •Heat and direct light accelerate degradation — vials are kept cool and dark.
• •Reconstituted material is not re-frozen; ice crystal formation disrupts peptide structure.
• •Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which is what allows multi-day storage after reconstitution.

More detail in the storage & handling guide and how peptide quality is evaluated.

• •Alzheimer's disease and amyloid-beta neurotoxicity
• •Type 2 diabetes and insulin sensitivity
• •Cardiovascular protection in ischemia-reperfusion
• •Longevity and centenarian studies
• •Mitochondrial-derived peptide biology
• •Stroke neuroprotection

Humanin is a longevity-forum favorite, discussed alongside MOTS-c, NAD+, and SS-31 in mitochondrial health stacks. Conversations focus on its neuroprotective potential, centenarian correlation data, and challenges sourcing properly synthesized peptide.

“A survival signal that mitochondria send to the rest of the body.”

Most commonly combined with MOTS-c, SS-31, and NAD+ in mitochondrial-focused longevity protocols. Sometimes paired with Epitalon for broad anti-aging research.

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for neuroprotection, insulin sensitivity, and longevity. Levels decline with age and are higher in centenarians. Sold strictly for laboratory research.