SS-31

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondrial-targeted tetrapeptide that specifically accumulates in the inner mitochondrial membrane — the site of cellular energy production. It protects cardiolipin, a critical mitochondrial lipid, from oxidative damage and helps restore mitochondrial function. Supplied as lyophilized powder with ≥98% purity (HPLC-verified).

How It Works

Mitochondria produce energy but also generate damaging free radicals as a byproduct. Over time, these free radicals damage cardiolipin — a unique lipid found only in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Damaged cardiolipin leads to leaky, inefficient mitochondria. SS-31 binds to cardiolipin, protects it from damage, and helps maintain the mitochondrial membrane’s structure and function — keeping cellular power plants running efficiently.

Research Data

• Cardiolipin protection: SS-31 selectively binds to and protects cardiolipin from oxidative damage — preserving the structural integrity of mitochondrial membranes.
• Mitochondrial function: Research shows improved ATP production, enhanced electron transport chain efficiency, and reduced mitochondrial free radical generation in treated cells.
• Heart failure: Clinical trials have investigated SS-31 for heart failure, with research showing improved cardiac mitochondrial function and exercise capacity.
• Kidney protection: Protects kidney mitochondria from damage in acute kidney injury models, improving recovery and reducing long-term damage.
• Neurodegeneration: Investigated in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS models where mitochondrial dysfunction is a core disease mechanism.
• Age-related decline: Mitochondrial function naturally declines with age. SS-31 restores youthful mitochondrial efficiency in aged tissues — targeting a root cause of aging.
• Exercise recovery: Research suggests improved muscle recovery and reduced exercise-induced oxidative damage through mitochondrial protection.
• Clinical development: Advanced to Phase 2/3 clinical trials for several conditions, with a well-characterized safety profile.

Research Applications

• Mitochondrial biology and bioenergetics
• Cardiolipin and membrane lipid research
• Aging and age-related mitochondrial decline
• Heart failure and ischemic injury models

Product Specifications

• Purity: ≥98% (HPLC)
• Form: Lyophilized powder
• Molecular Weight: ~640 Da
• Solubility: Reconstitute in sterile bacteriostatic water

Storage & Handling

• Store lyophilized peptide at -20°C, protected from light and moisture.
• After reconstitution, aliquot and store at -20°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Disclaimer: This product is intended exclusively for laboratory and research purposes. It is not a drug, dietary supplement, or food product. Not for human or veterinary use.

What the Internet Says

This is what online communities discuss about this compound. Not medical advice, not a recommendation — just what people are saying. For laboratory research use only.

Community Buzz

SS-31 is the mitochondria repair crew. While MOTS-C supercharges your cellular power plants, SS-31 fixes them first. It stabilizes cardiolipin — the crucial fat on the inner mitochondrial membrane that holds everything together. When cardiolipin gets damaged (from aging, stress, toxins), your mitochondria leak and produce less energy. SS-31 restores that structure. The community describes it as making “everything run cleaner” — from lung function to brain fog. One user reported: “I had my two longest and most productive workouts and could have gone longer.” But there’s a catch: many users report a rough first few days — called “the ugly duckling phase” or a herxheimer-like reaction — feeling tired, coughing up mucus, or digestive upset before the energy surge kicks in. The community calls this “mitochondrial detox” — your cells are clearing out damage before rebuilding.

Why People Are Interested

• Fixes mitochondria at the structural level. Most mitochondria boosters just stimulate more activity. SS-31 actually repairs the membrane damage first — like patching the engine before revving it.
• Energy and endurance shoot up after the adaptation phase. Once past the initial few days, users report dramatically better workout endurance and daily energy.
• Heart, kidney, and lung protection. Cardioprotective and renoprotective effects are heavily discussed — people with heart or kidney concerns seek out SS-31 specifically.
• Sets the stage for other mitochondrial peptides. The community’s gold standard is running SS-31 first (4-10 weeks to repair mitochondria), then MOTS-C (4-8 weeks to supercharge them).

Popular Combinations

• SS-31 → MOTS-C (sequential): THE canonical mitochondrial protocol. Repair the membrane first, then stimulate new mitochondrial growth. Never run simultaneously — SS-31 first, then MOTS-C.
• SS-31 + NAD+: Mitochondrial repair plus cellular energy — complementary pathways for comprehensive support.
• SS-31 + Humanin: Complete mitochondrial protection — SS-31 fixes structure, Humanin protects cells from stress and death.
• SS-31 + BPC-157 + TB-500: Repair everywhere — SS-31 for mitochondria, BPC/TB for tissue and recovery.

⚠️ Sourced from public forums (Reddit r/Peptides, r/Biohackers, r/cfs), biohacking blogs, and clinical research. SS-31 is extremely expensive relative to other peptides — cost is the #1 complaint. The “ugly duckling” detox phase (nausea, fatigue, coughing) is widely reported in the first 3-7 days. Dosing protocols vary wildly with no community consensus. Community protocols are experimental. This information is for awareness only.