SS-31
SS-31 (Elamipretide / Bendavia / MTP-131)
Research Parameters
- Typical Dose Range
- Research and clinical: 40 mg daily subcutaneous (standard trial dose). Some research protocols: 3 to 5 mg/kg.
- Half-Life
- ~2 to 3 hours
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
Dosing information is for research purposes only and has not been evaluated by the FDA.
If you take the longevity research seriously, the Huberman and Attia-style framing around mitochondrial decline being a primary driver of aging, SS-31 is one of the most clinically advanced peptides in that entire conversation. It's in Phase III trials for rare mitochondrial diseases, which means it has a human safety and efficacy dataset most peptides in this library can't touch.
Most antioxidants work by scattering broadly through the body, which means they're diluted by the time they reach the places that actually need them. SS-31 is different. It concentrates specifically in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where oxidative damage actually happens. Researchers study it for heart failure, age-related macular degeneration, Barth syndrome, and primary mitochondrial myopathy. The cardiovascular and longevity research is where this one matters most for people reading this.
For research purposes only.
Mechanism of Action
SS-31 is a four-amino-acid peptide designed to target the inner mitochondrial membrane by binding cardiolipin, a lipid critical to mitochondrial function that becomes damaged with age and disease. The selective cardiolipin binding is what makes it distinct from broader antioxidant approaches. It stabilizes the electron transport chain, reduces reactive oxygen species production, and preserves ATP synthesis under mitochondrial stress.
Citations
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is SS-31 used for in research?
Research focuses on mitochondrial dysfunction: specifically heart failure, macular degeneration, Barth syndrome, and primary mitochondrial myopathy. It's one of the few peptides in late-stage clinical trials. For research purposes only.
- How does SS-31 compare to NAD+ for longevity research?
NAD+ supplies a coenzyme substrate; SS-31 protects mitochondrial membrane integrity. They target different failure modes of mitochondrial aging and are typically studied as complementary rather than competing interventions. For research purposes only.
- Why is SS-31 considered a longevity peptide?
Because mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the best-characterized drivers of biological aging, and SS-31 targets that dysfunction at the membrane level. The research links mitochondrial health to nearly every age-related decline. For research purposes only.