# Humanin

A small peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA that protects cells from stress in the lab. In one small study, children of centenarians had more of it in their blood than other people their age. Nobody has published a study giving it to people.

Also called: HN, HNG (a stronger lab variant)
Source page: https://peplogue.com/peptides/humanin/
Reviewed: 2026-10-12. Not medical advice.

## How it works

- Where it acts: Receptors on the cell surface that trigger survival signals.
- What it changes: It protects cells from stress in lab studies.
- What people notice: It has never been given to people in a published study.

## What the evidence shows

- **Slowing aging**: Lab only. A lab variant improved body composition in old mice but did not extend their lives.
- **Protecting brain cells**: Lab only. Cell and animal studies only.

## Side effects and risks

- unknown: No human safety data. Mice engineered to make extra humanin had much smaller litters.

Who should avoid it: Treat it as untested.

## How it has been given in studies

No human dose exists.

## Legal status

- United States: undefined. A research chemical, never nominated for pharmacy compounding.
- European Union: undefined
- Spain: undefined. Research peptide. No authorised medicine in Spain that we found (not individually checked in CIMA). Not lawful to sell to the public.
- Germany: undefined. Not approved in Germany. Selling it as a medicine without approval is a crime (AMG § 21, § 96); sold online only as 'research' products.
- France: undefined. No French authorisation found. Not named by ANSM, but its Jul 2026 alert says peptides bought outside the official circuit are illegal.
- Italy: undefined. No Italian authorisation found. Not lawful to sell to the public as a medicine. Research-grade vials online are unverified products.
- Netherlands: undefined. No Dutch marketing authorisation found. Selling it as a medicine without one is illegal per IGJ, even if labelled 'research use'.
- United Kingdom: undefined
- Canada: undefined
- Australia: undefined

## Questions people ask

**Does humanin slow aging?**

There is no human evidence. A lab variant improved body composition in old mice but did not extend their lives.

**Has humanin been tested in people?**

No. Nobody has published a study giving it to people. In one small study, children of centenarians had more of it in their blood than other people their age.

**Is humanin safe?**

There are no human safety data. Mice engineered to make extra humanin had much smaller litters.

**Is humanin legal?**

In the US it is a research chemical and has never been nominated for pharmacy compounding.

## Sources

- Yen et al. 2020: the mitochondrial peptide humanin and healthspan: https://www.aging-us.com/article/103534/text