SS-31 / Elamipretide — mitochondrial targeting, anyone running it?

SS-31 Phase 3 data in primary mitochondrial myopathy was disappointing. That doesn't mean the mechanism is wrong, it means the effect size in that population was smaller than hoped. Extrapolating to healthy longevity users is a big leap.

Ran 2 mg/day for 6 weeks. Subjectively felt 'tighter' during cardio — perceived exertion a little lower at the same pace. Could be placebo. Labs didn't move meaningfully.

SS-31 is a classic example where the mechanism is cool but the therapeutic window for a generally healthy person is probably small. Most of the upside is in compromised mitochondria. Healthy mitochondria don't have much room to 'tighten.'

If you want to improve mitochondrial phenotype as a healthy adult, Zone 2 cardio + heat + cold dominates any peptide. SS-31 is a rescue compound for dysfunctional mito, not a performance enhancer for working ones.

Agree on the rescue-vs-enhancement distinction. Running SS-31 prophylactically without a specific mitochondrial deficit is optimizing a variable that's already near ceiling.

Good pushback, appreciated. I'll hold off and stick with MOTS-c for the mito lever.

If you did want to run SS-31, I'd do it as a time-limited experiment (6-8 weeks) with specific mitochondrial markers (lactate at submax, perceived exertion at fixed power) rather than vague 'feels better.'