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MOTS-c is a tiny peptide your own cells make. Thousands of Canadians search for it every month. This guide explains what it is, what the research found, what the dosing numbers look like, and how to store it. No jargon. No hype.
- 16 building blocks long
- 2015 the year it was named
- 11.9x more in muscle after exercise
- 4 weeks max in the fridge once mixed
MOTS-c is a short peptide made inside your mitochondria. Mitochondria are the small power plants in each cell. MOTS-c works like a text message. The power plant sends it out when fuel runs low.
The message flips a “low fuel” switch in the cell. That switch helps the cell use sugar and fat better. In mice, this led to less weight gain on junk food and better running in old age.
Human proof is still thin. Only one small human trial has been done, and it used a copy of MOTS-c, not MOTS-c itself. No MOTS-c medicine is approved in Canada.
Once mixed, MOTS-c slowly turns thick in the fridge. Use a mixed vial within 4 weeks. Our lab reports are public. See the latest MOTS-c report.
The short version
- MOTS-c is a peptide. A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. MOTS-c has 16 of them.
- Your body makes it. It comes from the small DNA inside your mitochondria, not the main DNA in the cell.
- It acts like a “low fuel” alarm. It turns on a switch called AMPK. That switch helps cells burn fuel better.
- Exercise makes your muscles make more of it. That is why people call it an “exercise peptide.”
- Most of the proof comes from mice. The only human trial used a copy called CB4211.
- Dosing numbers online are all over the place. We show the real ones from studies below.
- Mixed MOTS-c gels up in the fridge over time. Do not keep a mixed vial past 4 weeks.
- It is banned in sport. Athletes who get tested should stay away from it.
What is MOTS-c?
Think of a cell as a small town. The town hall is the nucleus. It holds the main instruction book, your DNA. The town also has power plants. Those are the mitochondria. They turn food into energy.
Here is the odd part. The power plants have their own tiny instruction book. It is separate from the one in town hall. For a long time, scientists thought this small book only held plans for the power plant itself.
In 2015, a team in California found something new in it. Hidden inside one gene was a short set of plans. Those plans make a peptide 16 amino acids long. They named it MOTS-c.
The name is long and not very friendly. MOTS-c stands for “mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c.” You do not need to remember that. Just remember this. MOTS-c is a message made by the power plant, not by town hall.
Other names you will see
People spell it many ways. You will see MOTS-c, MOTSc, MOTS C, “mot c,” “motc,” and even “mott c.” These all mean the same thing. The drug company copy was called CB4211. That is a changed version, not plain MOTS-c.
How MOTS-c works
Let us keep the town picture. The power plant watches its fuel. When fuel gets low, it needs to warn the town. MOTS-c is that warning. Here is how it plays out, step by step.
Fuel runs low
The cell is stressed. Maybe it is working hard. Maybe it has too much sugar to handle. The power plant notices.
The message goes out
The power plant makes MOTS-c. The message moves out into the rest of the cell.
The switch flips
MOTS-c turns on AMPK. AMPK is the cell’s “low battery” switch. It tells the cell to save energy and burn fuel better.
Town hall joins in
Under stress, MOTS-c can even walk into town hall. There it helps turn on genes that protect the cell.
That last step surprised scientists. A 2018 study showed it. A message from the power plant was not supposed to boss around town hall.
Most of this action happens in muscle. Muscle is the body’s biggest user of sugar. So when MOTS-c helps muscle take in sugar, blood sugar can drop. That is the main reason researchers got excited.
Why people call it the “exercise peptide”
In a 2021 study, healthy young men rode an exercise bike. Researchers checked their MOTS-c before, during, and after. The results were big.
The track is grouped into three bands. It is not drawn to scale. Numbers are from the 2021 exercise study in healthy young men.
In muscle, MOTS-c rose almost 12 times higher. It was still high after four hours of rest. In the blood, it rose by about 60 percent, then fell back to normal.
So exercise makes your body pour out MOTS-c. The hope is that MOTS-c might copy some of what exercise does. That is still a hope, not a fact.
MOTS-c and getting older
Studies have found that MOTS-c in the blood tends to drop as people age. Less message, less “low fuel” alarm. Some researchers think this may be part of why older bodies handle sugar less well.
The picture is not simple, though. One study found older men had a bit more MOTS-c in their muscle than young men. It may be that old muscle makes it but the blood carries less. Nobody knows for sure yet.
This is why MOTS-c sits next to other “longevity” peptides. People who study Epitalon, SS-31, and NAD+ often look at MOTS-c too. They all touch on how cells make and use energy as they age.
What the research found
Here are the main studies, in plain words. Keep one thing in mind. A mouse study is not a human study.
Mice on a junk food diet
The first big MOTS-c study came out in 2015. Mice ate a high-fat diet. That kind of diet makes mice gain weight and stop handling sugar well. Some mice got MOTS-c shots. Some did not.
The mice that got MOTS-c gained less weight. Their bodies also kept handling sugar better. In older mice, it helped with the drop in sugar control that comes with age. Muscle was the main place it worked.
Old mice that ran farther
The 2021 study also tested old mice. These mice were 22 months old. For a mouse, that is old age. They got MOTS-c every day for two weeks.
The treated mice ran about twice as long on a treadmill. They ran more than twice as far. Some of them reached the top treadmill speed. None of the untreated old mice did.
A second group of old mice got MOTS-c three times a week later in life. Their grip got stronger and their steps got longer. Their lifespan went up a little, about 6 percent. But that result was not strong enough to count as proven.
The one human trial
A company called CohBar made a changed copy of MOTS-c. They called it CB4211. In 2021, they reported results from an early human trial.
The trial had 20 adults with obesity and a fatty liver. Eleven got CB4211. Nine got a fake shot. The shots went under the skin once a day for four weeks.
Two liver blood tests went down. These are called ALT and AST. High numbers can mean the liver is under strain. Blood sugar also dropped a little. But the amount of fat in the liver went down about the same in both groups. So the drug did not beat the fake shot on liver fat.
Keep this in mind. CB4211 is not the same as MOTS-c. It was changed on purpose. So even this one trial does not test plain MOTS-c in people.
The plain numbers
Here are the key facts in one place. This table uses the science words, so you can check them against papers.
| Fact | MOTS-c |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c |
| Length | 16 amino acids |
| Sequence | Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg (MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR) |
| Molecular weight | About 2,174.6 g/mol |
| Where it is coded | The 12S rRNA gene in mitochondrial DNA |
| First described | 2015, Cell Metabolism |
| Main target | AMPK activation, mostly in skeletal muscle |
| Other action | Moves into the nucleus under metabolic stress (2018) |
| Half-life in blood | Estimated at about 1 to 2 hours |
| Exercise response | Muscle 11.9x, blood 1.6x (2021, healthy young men) |
| Human trial | CB4211 analog, 25 mg daily, 4 weeks, 20 adults (2021) |
| Sport status | Banned by WADA as an AMPK activator |
What the research has not shown
This part matters as much as the good news. Sellers love to skip it. We will not.
So here is the honest summary. MOTS-c has strong mouse data and a clear way of working. It has very little human data. Anyone who tells you exactly what it will do in a person is guessing.
MOTS-c side effects
Side effect reports come from two places. One is the CB4211 trial. The other is people who used MOTS-c on their own.
In the CB4211 trial, the most common problem was at the shot site. People had redness, soreness, or swelling where the needle went in. The company said these were short-lived and mostly mild. One later review called shot-site reactions common.
People who used MOTS-c on their own have reported:
- A fast or pounding heartbeat
- Redness, itching, or a lump at the shot site
- Trouble sleeping
- Fever or feeling hot
- Signs of an immune reaction, like a rash
These reports are not from careful studies. We cannot say how common they are. We also cannot say what happens with long-term use, because nobody has tested it. For more on this topic, read our guide to peptide side effects.
MOTS-c dosing: what the numbers look like
This is one of the top MOTS-c searches in Canada. So here are the real numbers, side by side. We report them. We do not set them. Red Leaf does not give dosing plans for any product.
| Source | Amount | How often | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human trial (CB4211 copy) | 25 mg | Once a day, under the skin | 4 weeks |
| Old mice, 2021 | 15 mg per kg of body weight | Every day | 2 weeks |
| Old mice, later life | 15 mg per kg | 3 times a week | Rest of life |
| Mouse studies overall | 0.5 to 50 mg per kg | Varies | Varies |
| Online protocols (not trials) | 5 to 10 mg per week, often split | 1 or 2 times a week | 8 to 12 weeks, then a break |
| Other online protocols | 5 to 10 mg per shot | 3 to 5 times a week | 8 to 12 weeks |
Look at how wide that spread is. The last two rows differ by up to ten times. Both come from websites, not trials. That tells you one thing. There is no agreed human dose for MOTS-c.
Mouse doses do not turn into human doses by simple math. Mice burn energy much faster than people. Their shots also went into the belly cavity, not under the skin. So do not use the mouse rows as a guide for anything.
The vial math
People often ask how many portions a vial holds. That is simple math, so here it is. Our vial holds 40 mg. If you split 40 mg into 5 mg portions, you get 8 of them. If you split it into 10 mg portions, you get 4.
That math matters because of the next section. A mixed vial only keeps for 4 weeks. So a research plan has to use the vial up in that time. Otherwise the rest goes to waste.
For the exact mL and syringe units, use our free peptide reconstitution calculator. Put in 40 mg and the water you plan to add. It does the rest.
Mixing and storing MOTS-c
MOTS-c comes as a dry powder. Researchers mix it with bacteriostatic water before use. Once it is mixed, the clock starts.
This is something we see with MOTS-c more than with most peptides. The mixed liquid can go from thin like water to thick like syrup. A gel will not draw up cleanly. It also means the peptide may no longer be spread evenly in the liquid.
Simple storage rules
- Dry powder: keep it cold and dark. The freezer is best for long storage. The fridge is fine for the short term.
- After mixing: keep it in the fridge, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Do not freeze it once it is mixed.
- Write the date on the vial. Mark the day you mixed it. Count 4 weeks from there.
- Check it each time. If it looks cloudy, thick, stringy, or gel-like, throw it out.
- Keep it out of light. Store the vial in its box or a dark spot in the fridge.
- Plan your amounts. Only mix what your research will use inside 4 weeks.
Why our vial is 10 mL
Our MOTS-c 40 mg ships in a larger 10 mL vial. It has room for more water. More water gives a weaker mix, which some researchers find easier to measure. Our calculator shows how the water you add changes the mix. Our bacteriostatic water guide covers the water itself.
Shipping in Canada
Dry powder handles a few days in the mail well. Heat is the bigger worry. Read how we handle shipping in Canadian summers. When it arrives, put it straight in the fridge or freezer.
MOTS-c vs other “energy” peptides
MOTS-c often gets compared with a few other research compounds. They all touch on how cells make or use energy. But they are very different things.
| MOTS-c | SLU-PP-332 | SS-31 | NAD+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Peptide, 16 amino acids | Small man-made molecule, not a peptide | Man-made peptide, 4 amino acids | A helper molecule found in every cell |
| Does the body make it? | Yes, in mitochondria | No | No | Yes |
| Main idea | Flips the AMPK “low fuel” switch | Turns on exercise genes (ERR) | Protects the power plant’s inner wall | Carries energy in cell reactions |
| Called an exercise mimic? | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Human data | One trial of a copy | None published | Human trials in rare diseases | Many small studies |
| Red Leaf price | $119 | From $49.99 | $150 | From $65 |
MOTS-c and SLU-PP-332 get paired most often. Both are called exercise mimics, but they work in different ways. SS-31 guards the power plant. NAD+ is part of the fuel line itself.
MOTS-c in Canada
Here is where things stand for Canadian researchers in 2026.
- No approved medicine. There is no MOTS-c drug approved in Canada or the United States. It is sold here as research material.
- Research use only. Canadian sellers, us included, sell it for lab research. Not for people, not for pets.
- Banned in sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency lists MOTS-c by name as a banned AMPK activator. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport follows that list. Tested athletes should not touch it.
- Buying from overseas is riskier. Parcels from abroad can be held at the border or sit in the heat for weeks. A Canadian seller removes both problems.
Want the bigger picture on buying peptides here? Read where to get peptides in Canada. If you are new to all this, start with our beginner’s guide.
How to read a MOTS-c lab report
A lab report is also called a COA. It tells you what an outside lab found in a sample. Here are the two MOTS-c reports we have posted.
Purity, March 2026 report
Amount found in a 40 mg vial
Purity, December 2025 report
Amount found in a 40 mg vial
Both tests were done by Janoshik, an outside lab. You can open the March 2026 report and the December 2025 report. Each one has a task number you can check on the lab’s own site.
Two numbers to read
Purity tells you how much of the powder is the right peptide. 99.7 percent means very little else is in there.
Amount tells you how much peptide is in the vial. This is the number many sellers skip. A vial can be very pure and still be short. Our March vial held 39.86 mg against a 40 mg label. That is within half a percent. Our December vial held 43.48 mg, a little over the label.
Purity is not the same as safe. A lab report checks what is in a sample. It does not prove anything is safe to use. Learn more on our testing and COA page.
A simple buying checklist
- Look for an outside lab report. It should name the lab and give a task number you can check.
- Check the amount, not just purity. A 40 mg vial should test close to 40 mg.
- Check the report date. Old reports may not match the stock you get.
- Buy from inside Canada. Faster shipping, less heat, no border holds.
- Read the storage advice. A good seller tells you about the 4-week limit once mixed.
- Watch the wording. Research sellers should not promise results in people.
Red flags
- “Proven fat loss” or “clinically proven” claims
- No lab report, or a report with no task number
- A report that only shows purity, never the amount
- Prices far below everyone else
- Dosing plans sold as medical advice
We wrote a full guide on this. See how to spot irresponsible peptide suppliers in Canada.
Related research products
These are the products researchers look at most often next to MOTS-c.
MOTS-c Peptide 40mg$119
SLU-PP-332From $49.99
SS-31 50mg$150
NAD+From $65
5-AMINO-1MQ 50mg$130
Bacteriostatic WaterFrom $10MOTS-c FAQ
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a peptide 16 amino acids long. Your mitochondria make it. It works like a “low fuel” message that helps cells use sugar and fat.
What does MOTS-c do?
It turns on AMPK, the cell’s energy switch. In mice, that led to better sugar control and more running in old age. Human proof is thin.
What are the benefits of MOTS-c?
In mice: less weight gain on a fatty diet, better sugar control, and better running when old. In one small human trial of a copy, two liver tests improved. Nothing is proven in people yet.
Is “mot c” or “motc” the same thing?
Yes. MOTS-c, MOTSc, mot c, motc, and mott c are all spellings of the same peptide.
What is the MOTS-c dosage?
There is no agreed human dose. The one human trial used a copy called CB4211 at 25 mg a day for 4 weeks. Online protocols list 5 to 10 mg a week, and some list far more. See our dosing table.
How long does mixed MOTS-c last?
Use it within 4 weeks of mixing. Keep it in the fridge. MOTS-c slowly thickens and can gel over time, so do not push past 4 weeks.
Why did my MOTS-c turn thick?
Mixed MOTS-c gels up in the fridge over time. That is the reason for the 4-week limit. If it looks thick, cloudy, or stringy, throw it out.
What are the side effects of MOTS-c?
The human trial mostly saw shot-site reactions. People using it on their own report a fast heartbeat, poor sleep, fever, and skin reactions. Long-term effects are unknown.
Does MOTS-c help with weight loss?
It did in mice on a fatty diet. It has not been proven in people. The human trial of a copy focused on liver tests and blood sugar.
Is MOTS-c legal in Canada?
It is sold in Canada as research material. No MOTS-c medicine is approved here. It is not sold for human use.
Is MOTS-c banned in sport?
Yes. WADA lists it by name as a banned AMPK activator. Tested athletes in Canada should avoid it.
Can MOTS-c be taken as a pill?
Studies used shots, not pills. Peptides are usually broken down in the gut. There is no good proof that MOTS-c pills work.
How was MOTS-c given in studies?
The human trial gave the copy as a shot under the skin. Mouse studies used shots into the belly cavity. We do not give instructions for use.
What is the half-life of MOTS-c?
It is estimated at about 1 to 2 hours in the blood. How long it lasts inside tissue is not known.
How much bacteriostatic water goes in a 40 mg vial?
It depends on the strength you want. For example, 4 mL gives 10 mg per mL. Our 10 mL vial has room for more. Use the peptide calculator to check your numbers.
Where can I buy MOTS-c in Canada?
Red Leaf sells MOTS-c 40 mg for research, shipped from inside Canada, with two public Janoshik lab reports.
Two outside lab reports. Purity and amount both shown. Shipped from inside Canada. Priced in Canadian dollars.
This article is for education only. It reports published research and is not medical advice. Red Leaf Research Labs sells MOTS-c for laboratory research only. It is not for human or animal use. See our legal terms. Sources: Lee et al., Cell Metabolism, 2015; Kim et al., Cell Metabolism, 2018; Reynolds et al., Nature Communications, 2021; CohBar CB4211 Phase 1a/1b topline results, 2021; WADA Prohibited List, section S4.4.