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Peptides for mood and libido

3 min read

From: hubermanlab
Peptides have garnered attention for their various potential therapeutic applications, including their impact on mood and libido. Within the realm of peptide effects on vitality, several key peptides have been discussed and explored for their potential to enhance mood and libido. These peptides primarily influence the body’s hormonal balance and neural pathways to exert their effects.

One of the primary categories of peptides that influence mood and libido are the melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) related peptides. These peptides include:

  • Melanotan 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5: Each of these synthetic peptides are designed to mimic the naturally occurring MSH. While Melanotan 1 mainly acts to stimulate skin pigmentation by activating melanocytes, the other variants can cross the blood-brain barrier. This ability allows them to affect not only skin pigmentation but also mood and libido by influencing dopamine levels in the brain. This mirrors the physiological changes associated with exposure to sunlight, promoting a better mood and increased sexual desire associated with exposure to sunlight [01:13:02].

  • PT-141/Bremelanotide: Known as PT-141 or Bremelanotide, this peptide is FDA approved for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. It works by activating certain melanocortin receptors involved in sexual arousal and is also known to cause skin pigmentation as a side effect that enhances sexual arousal [01:16:18].

PT-141/Bremelanotide Usage

PT-141 stimulates melanocyte activity, leading to increased pigmentation, alongside its primary role in enhancing sexual desire.

Kisspeptin and Its Role

Kisspeptin is another crucial peptide linked to mood and libido:

  • Kisspeptin Pathway: Discovered relatively recently, kisspeptin plays a role in the activation of pathways that boost the body’s reproductive hormone production. It is key in the cascade that leads to the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which subsequently stimulate testosterone and estrogen production. These hormones are vital for sexual function and overall vitality by influencing the secretion of these hormones [01:19:00].

Kisspeptin peptides are used therapeutically to treat conditions like hypothalamic amenorrhea, which affects menstrual cycles due to deficits in hypothalamic function. Additionally, its synthetic forms are explored for boosting libido and mood in those with disrupted hormonal pathways [01:20:00].

Considerations and Side Effects

While these peptides have promising applications, they come with potential side effects and considerations:

  • Nausea and Gastrointestinal Effects: MSH-related peptides can cause nausea and skin flushing due to the presence of receptors throughout the gut, which can be activated by these peptides located in the gut [01:17:01].

  • Caution in Melanoma Patients: Those with melanoma should exercise caution when using peptides that stimulate melanocytes due to the risk of exacerbating cancer growth related to melanoma growth [01:17:16].

  • Hormonal Balance Disruption: Given that these peptides influence hormonal pathways significantly, their use should be carefully monitored, particularly in those with hormonal sensitivities or conditions impacting hormonal balance [01:22:35].

In conclusion, peptides offer exciting potential for enhancing mood and libido, yet require careful consideration and monitoring, ideally under the guidance of a medical professional, to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.

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