Humanin: Dosage & Administration

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) — a 24-amino-acid microprotein encoded within the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. It was originally discovered in 2001 during a study of surviving neurons in Alzheimer's disease brains, and has since been researched for cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, and metabolic benefits.

Most research uses the potent analog HNG (S14G-Humanin), which has approximately 1,000-fold greater activity than native humanin due to a single glycine substitution at position 14.

Protocol	Compound	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration
Low-dose cytoprotection	HNG	0.5–1 mg	Subcutaneous	Once daily	4–8 weeks
Standard anti-aging	HNG	1–2 mg	Subcutaneous	Once daily	4–12 weeks
Metabolic support	HNG	1–3 mg	Subcutaneous	Once daily	8–12 weeks
Neuroprotective (research)	HNG	2–4 mg	Subcutaneous	Once daily	4–8 weeks
Native humanin	Humanin (HN)	5–10 mg	Subcutaneous	Once daily	4–8 weeks

Important: Most commercially available humanin peptide is the HNG analog, not native humanin. Dosing between the two is not interchangeable — HNG is approximately 1,000x more potent. Always verify which form you have before dosing.

Dosing guidelines are based on animal studies (primarily rodent and primate models) and extrapolation to human-equivalent doses. No formal human dose-finding trials have been published. Use the dosage calculator for precise volume calculations.

Humanin and HNG are administered via subcutaneous injection. Oral bioavailability is negligible — the 24-amino-acid peptide is degraded by gastrointestinal proteases.

Injection Protocol

• Route: Subcutaneous (SC) injection into abdominal fat pad, thigh, or upper arm
• Needle: 29–31 gauge insulin syringe, 0.5-inch needle
• Volume: Typically 0.1–0.5 mL depending on concentration
• Technique: Pinch skin fold, insert at 45-degree angle, inject slowly, hold 5 seconds before withdrawing
• Rotation: Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy

For detailed injection technique, see the peptide injection guide.

Intraperitoneal (Research Only)

Many animal studies used intraperitoneal (IP) injection. This route is not used in human self-administration. Published IP doses in rodent models (typically 2–4 mg/kg for HNG) are the basis for human SC dose estimates using allometric scaling.

Humanin (HNG) is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder requiring reconstitution before use:

Vial Size	BAC Water Added	Concentration	Volume for 1 mg	Volume for 2 mg
5 mg	2 mL	2.5 mg/mL	0.40 mL (40 units)	0.80 mL (80 units)
5 mg	1 mL	5 mg/mL	0.20 mL (20 units)	0.40 mL (40 units)
10 mg	2 mL	5 mg/mL	0.20 mL (20 units)	0.40 mL (40 units)

Reconstitution steps:

1. Wipe vial top with alcohol swab
2. Draw bacteriostatic water (BAC water) into syringe
3. Inject slowly down the inside wall of the vial — do not spray directly onto the powder
4. Gently swirl until fully dissolved (1–3 minutes). Do not shake vigorously
5. Label vial with date, compound, and concentration

For the complete reconstitution process, see the reconstitution guide. Use the peptide calculator for exact volumes.

Timing

• Morning dosing is generally preferred, particularly for metabolic applications. Humanin's insulin-sensitizing effects may be complementary to morning metabolic activity
• No strict food timing requirement, though some users prefer fasted administration for consistency
• Consistency matters — same time daily for stable peptide levels

Cycle Length

Humanin cycle protocols vary based on the application:

• Anti-aging / cytoprotection: 8–12 week cycles, 4–8 weeks off. Endogenous humanin declines with age, so exogenous supplementation aims to restore declining levels
• Neuroprotection: 4–8 week cycles. Shorter due to less long-term safety data at higher neuroprotective doses
• Metabolic support: 8–12 week cycles to assess effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism

Stacking Strategies

Humanin is often combined with other mitochondrial-supportive or anti-aging peptides:

• Humanin + MOTS-c: Both are mitochondrial-derived peptides with complementary mechanisms. MOTS-c activates AMPK for metabolic benefits; humanin provides cytoprotection. This is the most common MDP stack
• Humanin + Epitalon: Anti-aging stack combining mitochondrial cytoprotection (humanin) with telomerase activation (epitalon)
• Humanin + NAD+: Complementary mitochondrial support — humanin protects cells from apoptosis while NAD+ supports mitochondrial energy production and sirtuin activation
• Humanin + GHK-Cu: Longevity-focused stack combining cytoprotection with tissue remodeling and gene expression modulation

See the anti-aging peptides guide for comprehensive longevity protocols and the longevity stack for pre-built combinations.

Form	Storage	Shelf Life
Lyophilized powder (sealed)	Freezer (-20°C)	2+ years
Lyophilized powder (short-term)	Refrigerator (2–8°C)	6–12 months
Reconstituted solution	Refrigerator (2–8°C)	21–28 days

• Protect from light and heat
• Never freeze reconstituted solution — ice crystal formation denatures the peptide
• Discard if solution becomes cloudy, discolored, or contains particulates
• Use bacteriostatic water (not sterile water) for multi-use vials to prevent bacterial contamination

See the peptide storage guide for detailed storage protocols.