Humanin
Humanin (Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide)
The mitochondrial longevity peptide
A small peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA — one of the first 'mitochondrial-derived peptides' — that acts as a cytoprotective, metabolic and longevity signal. It's drawn attention because higher humanin levels track with longevity. The crucial genetic nuance: its marquee cognitive/longevity benefit is APOE4-dependent in the research, so the strongest published effect largely disappears in people who don't carry APOE4.
Key Benefits
Cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic across tissues
Improves insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function
Circulating levels associate with human longevity
Neuroprotective signaling (strongest in APOE4 context)
A direct readout of mitochondrial-derived signaling
Mechanism of Action
How Humanin works
Humanin is a signal from your mitochondria to the rest of the cell:
- Cytoprotection — protects neurons and other cells from apoptosis and oxidative/metabolic stress
- Metabolic signaling — improves insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function, part of why higher levels associate with healthier aging
- Longevity association — circulating humanin declines with age, and higher levels track with exceptional longevity in human studies
- APOE4-dependent cognitive effect — the standout neuroprotective/longevity benefit in the literature is driven by a humanin variant whose effect is conditional on APOE4 — and fades in non-APOE4 carriers
Your Genetics & Humanin
Genetic variants that affect your response
These SNPs determine how effectively Humanin works for you specifically. A genetic peptide report identifies your variants before you start.
The decisive marker. Humanin's marquee cognitive/longevity benefit in the literature is APOE4-dependent — strong in e4 carriers and largely absent in non-e4 (e.g. e3/e3) individuals. Your APOE status is the single best predictor of whether the headline effect applies to you.
The Ala16Val variant sets how efficiently the mitochondrial antioxidant SOD2 is imported. It gives a weak residual mitochondrial-stress angle that humanin's cytoprotection could touch, independent of APOE.
Humanin is encoded within the mitochondrial MT-RNR2 region. Mitochondrial haplogroup and variation here influence baseline humanin production and the cellular context it acts in.
Which variants do you carry?
Upload your DNA data or order a kit to find out.
Evidence & Research
25+
Published studies
Pathway-based inference and early research. Use with appropriate caution
Common Stacks
Humanin is commonly combined with:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is humanin used for?
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide explored for longevity, metabolic health and neuroprotection. It acts as a cytoprotective and metabolic signal, and higher natural levels are associated with healthier human aging.
Does humanin work for everyone?
Not equally. Its most-cited cognitive/longevity benefit is APOE4-dependent in the research — meaning the strongest published effect largely disappears in people who aren't APOE4 carriers. Your APOE genotype is the key thing to know before expecting the headline benefit.
Is humanin legal?
Humanin is not approved by any major regulator and remains research/experimental only. Access and regulatory status vary by country.
Learn More About Humanin
Your next move
Two ways forward with Humanin.
Not sure it's for you?
Will Humanin work for your genes — and at what dose?
Your report scores Humanin against your receptor, CYP and pathway variants — likely responder, non-responder, and a sensible starting dose — in minutes.
Analyze my DNA — $99