Reviewed & approved by Dr. Nova Reyes · Last checked 2026-10-25. ← Back to Evidence Library
Humanin: what the evidence says
At a glance
Humanin has no published treatment trials in people. Unknown
What it is: a small peptide made by the body from a gene in the mitochondria, discovered in 2001 for protecting brain cells in an Alzheimer's model. Lab versions include the stronger analog HNG (S14G-humanin). R1, R2
What the evidence says: cell and animal studies only. Human studies just measure the body's own humanin levels; they do not test giving it. R1, R2
Biggest risks: unknown in humans. Unknown
Rating
| Human Human evidence | No human data on giving humanin or HNG |
| Animal Animal / lab evidence | Cell and mouse studies R1, R2 |
| Regulatory | Not FDA-approved (no Drugs@FDA record) · Not approved anywhere in the world · WADA 2026: S0 (unapproved substances) applies R3 |
| Established human dose | None. Never tested in people |
Evidence verdict: Human: No human data · Animal/lab: cell and mouse studies Card verdict: No human data (neuroprotection & longevity claims rest on animal and cell studies only)
This page reports what studies used. It is not dosing advice.
Legend: HUMAN data · ANIMAL / LAB data · UNKNOWN · UNVERIFIED: not yet confirmed against a primary source
What is it?
Humanin is a 24-amino-acid "mitochondrial-derived peptide". It was found by Japanese researchers screening for genes that stop nerve-cell death caused by a familial Alzheimer's mutation. R1
Does it work?
- Animal Cells: protected nerve cells from death caused by mutant amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-beta. R1
- Animal Mice: the analog HNG slowed heart failure in two mouse models. R2
- Unknown People: no trials of giving humanin. Anti-aging and metabolic claims are extrapolated from animal work.
Is it safe?
- Unknown No human safety data.
Gray-market "research use only" Humanin: extra risks
Unknown contents. Products sold online as "research use only" or "not for human use" are not made under drug-quality rules, so identity, strength and sterility are unknown. This is a general caution; we have not found testing data for this product specifically. Unknown
What we don't know
- Unknown Whether injected humanin or HNG does anything in people
- Unknown Safety in people
Is it legal?
Not FDA-approved (no Drugs@FDA record, openFDA query Oct 24, 2026) and not approved anywhere in the world. WADA: not named on the 2026 Prohibited List; S0 bans at all times any unapproved substance in development that no other section covers, which describes Humanin R3. WADA has not ruled on Humanin by name.
Study details
These are doses researchers used, not recommendations.
R1–R2 Animal Lab / animal
| Study | People / model | Route | Dose used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / dropouts | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hashimoto 2001 | Neuronal cells | Lab | — | — | Blocked cell death from mutant APP and Aβ | — | PMID 11327724 |
| Zhao 2023 | Mice (isoproterenol, aortic constriction) | Injection | See paper | Not in abstract | Delayed cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis (HNG) | Not in abstract | PMID 38045183 |
Full reference list (PubMed entries verified Oct 24, 2026)
- R1 Hashimoto Y, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001;283(2):460-8. PMID 11327724
- R2 Zhao Q, et al. Heliyon. 2023;9(11):e21892. PMID 38045183
- R3 WADA. World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2026 (in force Jan 1, 2026). https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf (text read Oct 24, 2026)
Disclaimer
This page summarizes published research for education and harm reduction; it is not medical advice or a recommendation to use Humanin. Talk to a clinician you trust before using any drug, and report side effects to FDA MedWatch.
Approved for Adam Greene by Dr. Nova Reyes, 2026-10-25.