The Nationally compounded, coming soon.
MOTS-c is a peptide of 16 amino acids that providers prescribe to support energy, metabolic health and healthy aging. Your own mitochondria make it, exercise raises it, and it is one of six peptides in the October 2026 federal compounding policy.
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in the DNA of your mitochondria, the small structures in each cell that turn food into usable energy [1]. Its name is short for mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c. Researchers reported it in 2015 and found that its main target appears to be skeletal muscle, where it helps regulate how the body uses fuel [1].
That makes MOTS-c a signal from your own cells. Exercise turns it up. In people, exercise raises MOTS-c in muscle and in the blood [2]. The federal policy names MOTS-c acetate, given as an injection under the skin or into the muscle, as one single ingredient [6].
What is MOTS-c prescribed for?
A provider prescribes MOTS-c to support:
- Steady, all-day energy
- Metabolic health, including how your body handles fuel and insulin
- Physical capacity and muscle as you get older
- Healthy aging, alongside the movement and food habits you already work on
Your provider looks at your history and your goals, then decides whether MOTS-c fits your plan.
What has research looked at?
MOTS-c is one of the most cited new peptides of the past decade, with research in cells, animals and people.
- Metabolic health. The 2015 study in Cell Metabolism that first described MOTS-c found that it regulates insulin sensitivity and metabolic balance, acting through AMPK, a key energy sensor in cells [1].
- Physical capacity at every age. A 2021 study in Nature Communications found that MOTS-c significantly enhanced physical performance in young, middle-aged and old mice. Treatment started late in life, three times a week, increased physical capacity and healthspan. The same paper showed that exercise raises MOTS-c in human muscle and blood [2].
- Healthy aging in people. A 2020 study in Aging looked at healthy men aged 18 to 81. Older and middle-aged men had about 1.5 times more MOTS-c in their muscle than young men, and in older men, MOTS-c levels went along with better muscle quality [3].
- The big picture. A 2023 review in the Journal of Translational Medicine describes MOTS-c's role in energy metabolism, stress response, exercise and healthy aging [4].
Who is MOTS-c for?
- The rider training for the Seattle to Portland ride who wants energy that lasts for the long weekend miles.
- The 60-something who walks the Green Lake loop every morning and wants to keep that pace for years.
- The Spokane parent in their 40s whose energy fades by mid-afternoon once the gray months set in.
- The hiker planning the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier next summer who wants to build a stronger engine for it.
Your visit with Arora Health
BrightSide care is provided by Arora Health, the Seattle practice led by Dr. Shannon Arora and Dr. Sean Arora. Their providers know peptides well and are excited to offer them.
- Start an online visit from home. Tell us about your energy, your activity and your goals.
- A Seattle-based Arora Health provider reviews it and builds a plan for you, including whether MOTS-c fits.
- It is nationally compounded: our national pharmacy partners fill your prescription and ship it to your door.
- Follow up with your provider in your BrightSide patient portal as your plan moves along.
Every prescription gives 50 meals a month to those in need. See how on our giving page, and see how we choose pharmacies on our pharmacy network page.
How is MOTS-c supplied?
| MOTS-c | |
|---|---|
| Form | Compounded MOTS-c acetate, single ingredient |
| Route | Injection under the skin (subcutaneous) or into the muscle |
| How often | On the schedule your provider sets in your plan |
| Storage | As directed on the pharmacy label that comes with your prescription |
When can you get MOTS-c?
Soon. On October 30, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services published a draft policy that opens a path for state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies to compound MOTS-c and five other peptides. HHS says the policy is meant "to expand and improve patient access" [5]. It works through enforcement discretion, and BrightSide, Arora Health and our pharmacy partner are getting ready now so we can start as soon as prescribing opens.
Join the list to be first.
When prescribing opens, an Arora Health provider will reach out to you.
Common questions
Does my body already make MOTS-c?
Yes. MOTS-c is encoded in your mitochondrial DNA, and exercise raises it in your muscle and blood [1][2]. A prescription adds compounded MOTS-c on the plan your provider builds with you.
Is MOTS-c a GLP-1 medication?
No. MOTS-c is a mitochondrial peptide that works through the cell's energy sensor, AMPK [1]. If weight is part of your goals, our providers can talk through every option, and our pricing page shows the treatments available today.
Do you need a prescription for MOTS-c?
Yes. MOTS-c will be a compounded medication, made for you by a licensed 503A pharmacy on a prescription from a licensed provider after your visit.
Related peptides
- Epitalon: sleep and healthy aging, prescribed to support restful sleep and healthy aging.
- TB-500: recovery and repair, prescribed to support tissue repair and recovery.
- Semax: focus and mood, prescribed to support focus and memory.
- See all six on the peptide hub.
Sources
- Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. Cell Metabolism, 2015, the mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c and metabolic homeostasis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25738459/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009)
- Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nature Communications, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33473109/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20790-0)
- D'Souza RF, Woodhead JST, Hedges CP, et al. Increased expression of the mitochondrial derived peptide, MOTS-c, in skeletal muscle of healthy aging men is associated with myofiber composition. Aging, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32182209/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.102944)
- Wan W, Zhang L, Lin Y, et al. Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c: effects and mechanisms related to stress, metabolism and aging. Journal of Translational Medicine, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36670507/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-03885-2)
- HHS, Enforcement discretion policy regarding 503A compounding using certain peptide bulk drug substances, notice of availability, 91 FR 68526, October 30, 2026. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-10-30/html/2026-22192.htm
- HHS, Enforcement discretion policy regarding 503A compounding using certain peptide bulk drug substances, Appendix A and B. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-503a-peptide-enforcement-discretion-policy-appendix-b.pdf
Compounded peptides are not FDA approved and will be available by prescription from a licensed 503A pharmacy once prescribing opens.
