I was minutes from death after taking 'Barbie drug' everyone needs to be warned Here's the part nobody explains when they're selling you the "Barbie drug." Melanotan 2 is a synthetic peptide that mimics alpha MSH a hormone your body already makes to tell your skin IMB issues warning over tanning injections at salons or bought on internet The Irish Times MD breaking down Melanotan II Part 2 of my peptide series. The research, the risks, the reality. Long term safety data? Nonexistent.