MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA that activates AMPK, an enzyme that controls how cells use energy.

What is MOTS-c commonly researched for?

MOTS-c is studied in metabolic health, exercise capacity, body composition, aging, bone metabolism, and inflammation.

How is MOTS-c commonly dosed in research planning?

Common research-planning anchor is 5 mg subcutaneous, 2 to 3 times per week, in 4 to 8 week cycles.

What is the standard MOTS-c dosage chart?

Three tiers are commonly cited: a starting tier of 5 mg twice weekly for 4 weeks, a standard tier of 5 mg three times weekly for 4-6 weeks, and a higher tier of 10 mg two to three times weekly for 6-8 weeks.

How is MOTS-c reconstituted?

A 10 mg vial reconstituted with 1.0 mL of bacteriostatic water gives a 10 mg/mL concentration.

How long is a typical MOTS-c cycle?

Cycles described in research planning are 4 to 8 weeks on, with an off period of similar length.

What are the main side effects of MOTS-c?

Reported side effects include injection-site redness or swelling, flushing, mild fatigue, and headache.

Why does MOTS-c sometimes cause flushing?

MOTS-c can trigger mast cell activation, which releases histamine and causes warmth, redness, or itching.

Metabolic supportsubcutaneous

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in cellular metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and exercise-physiology research.

Researched for

Metabolic HealthLongevityPerformance RecoveryRecovery

What our audits found

Animalstrongest evidence cited across 1 audit · animal

MOTS-c and SS-31 Are Not Two Versions of the Same Idea. One Is a Signal, One Is a Scaffold.

They share an address inside the cell and almost nothing else, which is why reading one's evidence into the other will steer you wrong.

30 CLAIMS GRADED

How it is thought to work

Mitochondrial and metabolic signaling.

MOTS-c is a tiny peptide your mitochondria naturally produce that acts like an energy switch, telling cells to take in more glucose, burn more fat, and build more mitochondria, effects studied mainly in animals so far.

Reported side effects

The most commonly reported side effects are injection site redness or swelling, and occasional flushing, headache, or mild fatigue; more serious events like heart palpitations, insomnia, and fever have been reported by USADA and warrant stopping use and seeking medical input.

Amount	Frequency	Route	Reported by
5-10 mg SC 2-3 times weekly	2-3 times weekly4 weeks · 4-week cycles	subcutaneous	Commonly published practitioner dosing range - provider confirmation required.
5-10 mg per injection	2-3 times per week or every 5 days	subcutaneous	Peptide Protocol Wiki What it saysHide (secondary reference; provider confirmation required).
Standard: 5 mg · Low: 5 mg · High: 10 mg	2 to 3 times per week4 to 8 weeks · 4-6 weeks	Subcutaneous injection	Peptide Dosing Protocols What it saysHide (secondary reference; provider confirmation required). The standard dosing is 5 mg subcutaneously, 3 times per week for 4-6 weeks.
Referenced at 10 mg weekly in divided doses within longevity stacking. Morning administration cited for circadian and mitochondrial alignment.	Weekly total (10 mg), divided doses · MorningCycle every few months in longevity contexts	subcutaneous	Peptide Therapy Reference Text, internal KB v4 What it saysHide (Aug 2026), secondary reference; provider confirmation required.

MOTS-c

MOTS-c and SS-31 Are Not Two Versions of the Same Idea. One Is a Signal, One Is a Scaffold.

How it is thought to work

Reported side effects

Who should avoid it

What gets monitored

What sources report

Common questions

What is MOTS-c?