Humanin

What it is

The first mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) ever discovered, encoded within the MT-RNR2 gene (16S rRNA region) of the mitochondrial genome. Humanin was identified in 2001 through functional expression screening of a cDNA library from the surviving occipital lobe of an Alzheimer's disease patient. It operates through both intracellular mechanisms (binding pro-apoptotic BAX and tBID to block intrinsic apoptosis, sequestering IGFBP-3) and extracellular receptor-mediated signaling (CNTFR/WSX-1/gp130 trimeric receptor activating JAK2/STAT3, and FPRL1/FPR2 activating ERK1/2). Studied in animal models across neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, and retinal disease contexts. The S14G-Humanin (HNG) analog is approximately 1,000-fold more potent. No completed human clinical trials exist for this compound.

Community-reported ranges

Ranges sourced from community forums, biohacking protocol databases, and published preclinical literature. Not dosing guidance.

Frequently discussed alongside

Based on community forum discussions. Not a recommendation to combine compounds.

Published research

Humanin was independently discovered by three labs in 2001 — the Hashimoto/Nishimoto group (neuroprotection from Alzheimer's-related insults), the Reed lab (BAX binding), and the Cohen lab (IGFBP-3 interaction). Preclinical research spans neuroprotection against amyloid-beta and all tested familial AD mutants, cardiovascular protection (atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion), central and peripheral insulin sensitization (Muzumdar et al., PLoS ONE 2009), retinal protection (AMD models), and aging biology (endogenous levels decline with age). Pharmacokinetic studies in rodents show species-dependent half-life (~30 min mice, ~4 hours rats) with IGFBP-3 binding influencing clearance. No peer-reviewed human clinical trials have been completed as of March 2026. Dosing ranges used in community settings are extrapolated from animal data and are not clinically validated.

Reported side effects

From community self-reports. Not from controlled studies.

Community users have reported generally mild effects including injection site irritation, occasional headache, fatigue at higher doses, digestive upset, and dizziness when fasting. Humanin is endogenously produced, which may contribute to its reported tolerability. Theoretical concerns center on STAT3-mediated oncogenic potential with long-term exogenous administration, as some studies have observed pro-tumoral effects in glioblastoma and gastric cancer models. Systematic safety data in humans does not exist.

Regulatory status