Melanin, the Energy-Transforming Molecule in our Bodies

Melanin is a remarkable molecule found throughout nature — in plants, animals, fungi, and of course, in humans. It’s most well-known for giving colour to our skin, hair, and eyes, but its real power goes far beyond appearance.

In the human body, melanin acts as a transducer — a molecule that absorbs one form of energy and transforms it into another. Specifically, it absorbs electromagnetic energy from sunlight, especially in the ultraviolet (UV) range, and converts it into harmless forms like heat. This isn’t just about protection — it’s about intelligent adaptation.

UV light is mostly beneficial to human health. It helps our skin produce Vitamin D, which is crucial for strong bones and a healthy immune system. It also triggers the release of nitric oxide, a compound that helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. So sunlight, in the right amounts, is good for us.

Melanin doesn’t block UV light — it absorbs it. By soaking up excess UV energy and converting it safely, melanin helps the body enjoy the benefits of sun exposure while reducing the risks of damage. It plays a key role in helping our cells avoid stress, inflammation, and over time, skin cancer.

People with darker skin tones naturally produce more melanin. Humans first emerged around 200,000 years ago in East Africa. Africa receives the most sunlight out of all the habited continents on Earth, so having lots of melanin in the skin was essential for humans to survive and thrive there. Our ancestors’ melanin-rich skin enabled them to safely process UV light while still gaining its health benefits. This is one reason why rates of skin cancer are generally lower among people with higher melanin levels.

How we get our skin colour

Take a close look into our skin to see where the melanin in our skin and hair comes from. Skin and hair melanin is created in special cells called melanocytes. The melanin produced is distributed in the skin inside special sacks called melanosomes. The melanosomes enter into keratinocytes (skin cells) and absorb ultra violet light. This helps protect the keratinocytes from UV damage.

The Science of Melanin Magic

All human beings have roughly the same quantity of the melanocytes in our skin. But the melanocytes in Black African skin produces lots more melanin than other people’s skin. This is why our skin is much darker. Black skin also produces a much higher volume of eumelanin than other skin. Eumelanin is the only type of melanin in the skin and hair that gives brown and black colour. The video below is a good overview of this.

Melanin can conduct Electricity

Melanin can do a lot of things that Western scientists are only just becoming aware of. One of those powers is the ability to conduct electricity! Watch this video to get an insight into this. And remember, be proud of your melanin – it’s much more valuable than anything you can buy with money.