Melanotan What It Is and Its Relation to Skin Cancer Melanotan is not a tan. It's an unregulated peptide with real risk. As a dermatologist, here's the reality: It has been linked to new and changing moles including cases of Melanocortin agonism in a social context selectively activates nucleus accumbens in an oxytocin dependent manner ScienceDirect Viral 'Barbie drug' for tanning can cause brain swelling and even cancer, experts warn