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Monograph
PENDING · JUL 2026P-009
Longevity

MOTS-c

16-amino acid mitochondrial-encoded peptide. Improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility in aging models.

ExperimentalLongevity
Typical dose5-10 mg
Frequencytwice weekly
Half-life3h
Citations indexed19
DeliveryInjectable
Half-life~3h
EvidenceExperimental
Citations19
Synergy checkCompareReconstitution calc
Experimental

Evidence is experimental. Most claims trace to limited human studies or animal models. Treat as a research direction, not a protocol.

Mechanism

Mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA gene. Activates AMPK, regulates folate-methionine cycle. Mouse studies show improved glucose homeostasis and exercise capacity. No published human RCTs as of late 2025.

Specifics
Cellular aging concernsMitochondrial energy decline
Caveats

No published human RCTs. Source quality grey-market. Treat all dosing claims as extrapolation from preclinical work.

sequence · 16 aa
MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
Evidence levelExperimental
Regulatory statusFDA Cat. 2 removed Apr 2026 — PCAC review Jul 23-24, 2026
DNA / pharmacogenomicsLow — Mitochondrial haplogroup interest theoretical. No actionable protocol.
Pairs & ConflictsCheck full stack →
Synergizes with

Mechanistically distinct — hits a different pathway.

NMNSS-31
Where the experts disagree

Stack doesn't rank peptides — we surface the diversity of opinion. Each card paraphrases a public-record stance from a named source. Where they conflict is where you should slow down and read both.

Research labDr. Pinchas Cohen laboratory, USC Leonard Davis School (MOTS-c discovery, 2015)

Discovered MOTS-c as a mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis. Cohen lab data demonstrates AMPK activation, improved insulin sensitivity, and exercise-mimetic signaling in mouse models. Translation to human therapy remains pre-clinical.

Source →
Biohacker / coachEric Janicki, bodybuilding coach (YouTube tier-list, 2026)· 2026-04

C-tier — currently taking it but unconvinced. "Just haven't enough studies to show that... if I'm going to put in a video and say it's A tier just cuz I'm taking it" he won't. Notes price ($50-100 for 5-10mg, ~1 week) high relative to evidence.

Claims & evidence

Per-claim grading. Each claim is graded independently — same peptide, different claims can carry different grades.

  • CLimited evidence

    MOTS-c modulates AMPK and improves insulin sensitivity in animal models of metabolic disease

    1 supporting referencesVerified 5d ago
  • AStrong evidence

    MOTS-c is on FDA's PCAC reclassification track (review July 23-24 2026)

    0 supporting referencesVerified 5d ago
References

External links to PubMed searches, ClinicalTrials.gov, and FDA materials. We do not host papers — we point at canonical sources.

  • PubMedEN
    REVIEWFunding undisclosedVerified 5d ago
    PubMed — MOTS-c
  • ReviewEN
    REVIEWFunding undisclosedVerified 5d ago
    Lee 2015 (original characterization)
  • ReviewJA
    REVIEWFunding undisclosedVerified 5d ago
    J-STAGE — Japanese mitochondrial peptide research
Reconstitution calculatorMOTS-c

Pre-filled with this compound's published dose range: 5-10 mg · twice weekly

Concentration2.50 mg/mL
Draw volume3.000 mL
Insulin syringe300.0 u
Doses per vial0
U-100 syringe — fill to indicatorU-100 · 1 mL
0u25u50u75u100u
Watch

Draw volume exceeds 100 units (1 mL). Either reduce dose or split into multiple injections.

Calculator is a discussion tool. Verify reconstitution + dosing with a qualified provider. Stack is not a prescription source. Use sterile technique and inspect every vial.

First cycle costCheapest legal from $200

How much a first cycle actually costs across the channels people use. Pick the protocol length you're considering — Stack multiplies the monthly band by cycle weeks. Same caveats apply: ranges are facts, quality varies, this is not legal advice.

Research grey$200–$450

Numbers reflect publicly-advertised price ranges, not vendor quotes. Insurance, prescription costs, and shipping aren't included. Channels marked unavailable are filtered out.

See pharmacies for this compound →
Price across channelsRange $200–$450/mo

Approximate monthly cost across the channels users actually consider — brand FDA-approved retail, US 503A compounding, Mexican pharmacies, MX farmacias magistrales, and the research-grey market. Stack lists ranges, not vendor names. Quality varies wildly across channels — see each band's note.

Research grey$200–$450/mo

Research-grey only — no FDA pathway. Highest per-mg cost in the longevity-peptide space due to synthesis complexity. Eric Janicki (2026) cited $50-100 for 5-10 mg lasting ~1 week.

As of 2026-04
Supply chain

Public-source attribution across the production + distribution chain. Stack does not endorse vendors — this is who is in the chain, not which one is best.

503A compounding pharmacies (US)
  • Empower Pharmacy

    US
    VERIFIEDPCAB ACCREDITED

    BPC-157 · TB-500 · Sermorelin · CJC-1295/Ipamorelin · Semaglutide · Tirzepatide

    Houston-based 503A compounding pharmacy, one of the largest in the US peptide compounding market.

    Source: Empower Pharmacy — peptide compoundingVerified 5d ago
Research-grey channels
  • Peptide Partners

    Research
    3rd-party COA per batchFinnrick ✓US · CA · AU · UK

    One of the most consistently recommended vendors on r/Peptides since the Peptide Sciences shutdown (March 2026). Third-party COA published per batch. HPLC purity ≥99%.

    For laboratory use only / not for human consumption. Stack may earn affiliate commissions.

  • Paradigm Peptide

    Research
    3rd-party COA per batchFinnrick ✓US · CA

    Long-established US vendor (7+ years). Broad catalog including GHRPs, GHRHs, and cognitive peptides. Third-party HPLC and mass-spec COA per batch. Active Finnrick Analytics coverage.

    For laboratory use only / not for human consumption. Stack may earn affiliate commissions.

  • XL Peptides

    Research
    3rd-party COA per batchFinnrick ✓US · CA · AU

    Known for above-average catalog depth, including harder-to-find compounds (SS-31, humanin, Foxo4-DRI). Third-party HPLC published. Active Finnrick coverage.

    For laboratory use only / not for human consumption. Stack may earn affiliate commissions.

PENDING · JUL 2026P-009

FDA Cat. 2 removed Apr 2026 — PCAC review Jul 23-24, 2026

Jul 23, 2026USScheduled reviewUpcoming

PCAC review · July 23-24 2026 panel

FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee scheduled to review the first cohort of peptides removed from Category 2 in April 2026. The 7 peptides on this docket are the highest-profile community names — BPC-157, TB-500, MOTS-c, Epitalon, DSIP, Semax, KPV.

Apr 15, 2026USTier change

FDA removes 12 peptides from Category 2 'significant safety concerns' list

FDA published a Federal Register notice on April 15 2026 removing 12 peptides from the Category 2 ('significant safety concerns') compounding list, paving the way for PCAC review for inclusion on the 503A bulks list. Peptides removed: BPC-157, TB-500, Epitalon, GHK-Cu (injectable), MOTS-c, DSIP, Dihexa Acetate, MK-677, Melanotan II, KPV, Semax, LL-37.

FDA Federal Register · April 15 2026 →
Nov 2023USBan

FDA places peptides on Category 2 'significant safety concerns' list

FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee categorized a wide list of peptides as Category 2 ('significant safety concerns'), effectively banning their compounding at 503A and 503B pharmacies. Affected: BPC-157, TB-500, Epitalon, GHK-Cu, MOTS-c, DSIP, Dihexa, MK-677, Melanotan II, KPV, Semax, Selank, LL-37 and others.

MOTS-c5-10 mg · twice weekly
Discussion guide, not prescription

stack is an exploration engine. Output is a discussion guide for a conversation with a licensed provider — never a prescription, dose recommendation, or sourcing instruction. Peptides discussed include compounds with limited human evidence and varying legal status by jurisdiction. Verify everything with a qualified clinician before any decision.

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