What is Humanin?
Humanin is a small peptide encoded by the DNA of the mitochondria (the cell's power plants). It was discovered in the search for factors that protect nerve cells from dying. In aging and stress research it is seen as an exciting candidate.
Up front: the effects come from cell and animal models. There is barely any data on injected humanin in humans.
How it works
Humanin acts cytoprotectively, especially against various stress and damage triggers, and engages mitochondrial function and the stress response. In models it was associated with protection from neuronal cell death and better stress resistance.
What you need
- The humanin vial (lyophilized powder).
- Bacteriostatic water, U-100 insulin syringes, alcohol swabs.
Reconstitution
Use the calculator above. A 5mg vial with 2ml water gives 2500mcg per ml, 250mcg is then 10 units on the U-100 syringe. Just add the water to the vial and let it dissolve.
Dosing
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Injection
Subcutaneous into the subcutaneous fat. Disinfect the site, pinch a skin fold, rotate sites.
What the research shows
The discovery work (Hashimoto, 2001) showed that humanin protects nerve cells from a whole range of Alzheimer-relevant insults. Later research linked it to stress resistance and mitochondrial function. That is an interesting preclinical basis but not human proof.
Side effects
- Solid human data are missing, so little is known about side effects.
- Local reactions at the injection site.
Practice
- Keep expectations low, everything rests on cell and animal models.
- Clearly experimental, start low.
Storage
Before mixing the powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. After mixing, keep in the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), do not freeze. It stays good there for at least 8 to 10 weeks with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. Swirl or shake to mix, both are fine.