I believed it was time for an replace for methylene blue. I’ve included the earlier interview I did with Dr. Francisco Gonzalez-Lima two years in the past. My views on using this drug have modified since that point and I believed I would like to offer you an replace as to my present ideas on this attention-grabbing molecule.
Methylene blue is the precursor molecule for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. It’s a fascinating compound with a variety of well being advantages. Methylene blue is a dye first created in 1876. Initially used within the textile trade, it later discovered purposes in medication attributable to its antimicrobial properties.
Methylene blue stays an necessary a part of the technique’s utilized in hospitals worldwide attributable to its distinctive capacity to counteract mitochondrial metabolic poisons. These are usually molecules that disrupt the movement of electrons within the complexes of the electron transport chain of the mitochondria.
In instances of carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning, as an illustration, medical professionals administer methylene blue intravenously as a major remedy. As we speak, it is gaining additional consideration within the pure well being group for its capacity to advertise wholesome pores and skin, gradual skeletal getting older, help mind well being and extra.
Key Advantages of Methylene Blue
Methylene blue is a multifaceted compound with various makes use of, however its most notable influence is on how cells produce vitality. It primarily works by interacting with the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which performs an important position in mobile vitality technology.
Throughout regular mobile respiration, electrons from the meals we eat are handed by means of a sequence of protein complexes throughout the mitochondria. This course of, referred to as the electron transport chain, finally leads to the manufacturing of ATP, the vitality foreign money of cells. On this chain, oxygen acts as the ultimate electron acceptor.
What makes methylene blue particular is its capacity to just accept electrons and switch them on to oxygen, successfully making a shortcut within the common electron transport chain. This different pathway can enhance vitality manufacturing, particularly in conditions the place regular mobile processes are compromised or not working at full effectivity.
By enabling simpler electron switch and vitality technology, methylene blue has the potential to boost varied elements of how cells operate and general well being. This capacity to work together with and optimize mobile vitality processes is what makes methylene blue a subject of curiosity in each scientific research and potential medical purposes.
Improved Mitochondrial Operate
One of the thrilling elements of methylene blue is its potential to enhance mitochondrial effectivity and enhance mobile vitality. This enchancment in mobile vitality manufacturing has wide-ranging advantages all through your physique. Whether or not it is therapeutic, neurotransmitter manufacturing or every other mobile operate, optimized mitochondria assist your physique carry out at its greatest.
Even in wholesome people, low doses can enhance the physique’s vitality manufacturing methods. It enhances oxygen use, mitochondrial operate and ATP technology past regular ranges, primarily fine-tuning the complete metabolic course of. This implies it serves as each a efficiency booster for mobile vitality manufacturing and a treatment for metabolic disruptions.
Moreover, methylene blue’s influence on mitochondrial respiration is linked to broader optimistic results. It stimulates your physique to extend its oxygen-processing capabilities general. Moreover, it influences blood movement dynamics, resulting in improved blood provide to numerous tissues. These mixed results contribute to its potential as a metabolic optimizer.
Spectacular Cognitive Assist, Together with Towards Alzheimer’s Illness
Methylene blue has a specific affinity for neurological tissue and has been investigated for varied psychiatric issues, together with manic states and melancholy. Crawford states, “It does have an affect on the central nervous system … A few of this isn’t extraordinarily effectively outlined. It does appear to have a optimistic influence on dopamine and dopamine methods. It positively influences serotonin and your serotonergic methods.”1
In a single examine, methylene blue was given to sufferers with manic melancholy, also referred to as bipolar dysfunction, who didn’t reply to traditional remedy. Fourteen of them confirmed “particular enchancment” in consequence.2 In a separate three-week trial, methylene blue led to considerably better enchancment than placebo in individuals with extreme depressive sickness.3
Paradoxically, you will have heard of methylene blue as a fish tank remedy, however this humble compound is now on the forefront of Alzheimer’s analysis as effectively. A examine revealed {that a} stabilized type of methylene blue, referred to as hydromethylthionine (LMTM), slows cognitive decline and mind atrophy in delicate to average Alzheimer’s illness sufferers.4
In contrast to present remedies that solely briefly masks signs, LMTM inhibits the aggregation of tau proteins within the mind. Even at low doses, LMTM demonstrates important advantages. The examine discovered that sufferers with plasma concentrations as little as 0.4 to 0.8 ng/ml confirmed enhancements in cognitive operate and lowered mind shrinkage. Based on examine writer Claude Wischik of Aberdeen College:5
“Along with the discount in mind atrophy, we have been stunned to see the big cognitive results of remedy within the affected person group with the upper blood ranges of hydromethylthionine on the 8 mg every day dose.
Based on scores from the ADAS-cog scale, the impact was round 7.5 factors, or thrice that seen from present routine Alzheimer’s remedies, and can be equal to an 85% discount in cognitive decline over 65 weeks.”
The researchers found that LMTM’s results plateau at increased concentrations, exhibiting that there is no want for extreme dosing to realize optimum outcomes. Importantly, methylene blue is a hormetic drug, which signifies that low doses have the other impact as excessive doses.
For instance, it’s primarily utilized in emergency rooms on the higher dosage restrict (3 milligrams to 4 mg per kilo of body weight) for methemoglobinemia,6 which is when a metabolic poison interferes with the transport of oxygen in hemoglobin, by the iron in hemoglobin being oxidized to +3 fairly than its regular lowered +2 state.
Nonetheless, in case you take too excessive a dose, you produce methemoglobinemia. At dosages in between, there’s no impact. Likewise, whereas low dosages have an antioxidant impact, excessive doses are pro-oxidative and may kill micro organism and tumor cells.
Defend Liver Well being
Methylene blue reveals promise to be a useful in treating fatty liver situations, providing hope for these scuffling with steatosis (fatty liver illness) and steatohepatitis, a complicated type of fatty liver illness. On the coronary heart of methylene blue’s liver-protective results is its capacity to activate SIRT1, a protein sometimes called a “longevity gene.”7
SIRT1 performs a vital position in sustaining vitality stability in your physique, just like the results of calorie restriction. By rising SIRT1 ranges, methylene blue units off a cascade of useful results. It enhances mitochondrial operate, resulting in improved vitality manufacturing and utilization. This activation mimics the advantages of calorie restriction with out the necessity for drastic dietary adjustments, providing a extra accessible strategy to help your liver well being and general wellbeing.
One of the promising elements of methylene blue’s motion is its capacity to fight extreme fats accumulation within the liver. The examine confirmed that methylene blue prompts AMPK, an enzyme that acts as a metabolic grasp change.8 This activation results in elevated fats burning and decreased fats manufacturing within the liver.
Moreover, methylene blue was discovered to boost the exercise of CPT-1 and PPARα, two key gamers in fats metabolism. These results collectively work to scale back the buildup of dangerous fat in your liver cells, reversing or stopping fatty liver illness.
Past its fat-reducing capabilities, methylene blue helps defend your liver from the results of a high-fat weight-reduction plan. In mice fed a high-fat weight-reduction plan for eight weeks, remedy with methylene blue considerably lowered liver fats accumulation and irritation.9 That is notably thrilling as a result of it means that methylene blue is efficient not simply in stopping liver harm, but in addition in treating present situations.
By activating SIRT1 and selling mitochondrial well being, methylene blue helps your liver cells change into extra resilient to emphasize and higher outfitted to deal with the challenges of contemporary diets excessive in processed meals and unhealthy fat.10
Methylene Blue Enhances Estrogen Metabolism: A Key to Hormonal Steadiness
Along with its results on fats metabolism, methylene blue performs an necessary position in your liver’s capacity to course of estrogen. This operate is significant for sustaining hormonal stability, which impacts quite a few elements of your well being. Analysis courting again to early research has proven that B nutritional vitamins, notably B1 (thiamine) and B2 (riboflavin), are important to your liver’s capacity to deactivate and metabolize estrogen.11
Curiously, different research have discovered that this course of could be additional enhanced by including niacinamide (a type of vitamin B3) and methylene blue to the combo.12,13 Methylene blue’s position on this course of is especially fascinating. Underneath regular situations, your liver wants oxygen to interrupt down estrogen successfully. Nonetheless, in conditions the place oxygen could be restricted, methylene blue steps in as a robust ally.
It acts instead electron acceptor, primarily mimicking the position of oxygen within the estrogen breakdown course of. Because of this even in less-than-ideal situations, methylene blue helps your liver proceed its essential process of managing estrogen ranges.14
Furthermore, the mix of methylene blue with niacinamide is especially efficient. Niacinamide helps keep ranges of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a vital molecule for a lot of mobile processes, together with estrogen metabolism. By preserving NAD+ ranges, niacinamide ensures that your liver has the assets it must course of estrogen effectively.15
When mixed with methylene blue’s capacity to operate in low-oxygen environments, this creates a robust duo for supporting your liver’s hormone-balancing features. This multi-faceted strategy to liver well being — addressing fats metabolism, irritation and hormone stability — underscores methylene blue as a flexible software in your well being arsenal.
By supporting these essential liver features, methylene blue provides a complete strategy to sustaining liver well being and, by extension, your general wellbeing.
A Highly effective Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Methylene blue additionally provides important advantages in preventing irritation. Analysis uncovered its potential to inhibit inflammasomes — protein complexes in your immune system that set off inflammatory responses.16
The examine discovered that methylene blue can block a number of sorts of inflammasomes, together with NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2. This broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory motion units methylene blue other than many different remedies that solely goal particular inflammatory pathways. Moreover, methylene blue was proven to scale back the manufacturing of proinflammatory molecules like IL-1β and IL-18.
These findings counsel that methylene blue may very well be useful in managing varied inflammatory situations. The compound additionally demonstrated a capability to enhance mitochondrial operate and cut back oxidative stress, that are key elements in lots of persistent ailments. By addressing irritation at a number of ranges, methylene blue provides a promising strategy to supporting your general well being and stopping or managing inflammatory issues.
The examine’s animal experiments additional highlighted methylene blue’s therapeutic potential. When mice got lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate extreme irritation, remedy with methylene blue considerably elevated their survival charges, suggesting that methylene blue may very well be useful in managing extreme inflammatory situations like sepsis.17
The compound additionally lowered irritation in a mannequin of Listeria an infection, demonstrating its versatility in addressing several types of inflammatory triggers. Importantly, methylene blue’s results have been noticed at doses corresponding to these already used safely in people for different medical functions.
From decreasing the chance of problems after surgical procedures to serving to with persistent inflammatory situations, methylene blue’s wide-ranging results on irritation make it a compound price maintaining a tally of to your well being toolbox.
Safety from EMF Publicity, More healthy Pores and skin and Different Advantages
In our more and more wi-fi world, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are important concern, however, along with minimizing your publicity, methylene blue may help. “Non-native EMF publicity is an issue,” Crawford says. “Methylene blue will assist with radiation publicity. Crucial, and one other massive purpose that I take it daily.”18
Analysis additionally suggests methylene blue helps promote youthful pores and skin by decreasing reactive oxygen species, stimulating cell proliferation and upregulating antioxidant defenses.19 One other examine revealed March 2024 within the journal Growing older investigated how methylene blue improves skeletal getting older when administered over a long-term interval, supporting bone well being.20
I additionally advocate having methylene blue available at house in case of a coronary heart assault. Whereas sudden loss of life is the most typical symptom of coronary heart illness, surviving people face the intense menace of reperfusion harm, the place mobile dysfunction and loss of life might worsen following the restoration of blood movement.
Methylene blue administration can considerably mitigate tissue harm; nevertheless, correct dosage is essential to keep away from overdose. Administer methylene blue inside minutes of the cardiac occasion to satisfy the important time threshold.21
Methylene Blue Aspect Results
Whereas methylene blue has a powerful security profile when used appropriately, there are some necessary concerns:22
1. Blue discoloration — Methylene blue will briefly flip urine and generally your tongue blue. That is innocent however could be startling if sudden. This usually happens when the dose is bigger than 30 to 50 mg which is a dose about ten occasions increased than I like to recommend for many.
2. Interference with pulse oximeters — Excessive doses of methylene blue can have an effect on pulse oximeter readings.
3. Serotonin syndrome danger — I might advise sturdy warning for anybody ever to take an SSRI drug. I don’t imagine anybody advantages from them and would encourage you to learn my final article on SSRIs. Taking methylene blue solely worsens this danger as they enhance serotonin ranges even additional.
This usually solely happens at excessive doses which might be used to deal with life threatening conditions and is probably going hardly ever, if ever, happen at decrease doses that I like to recommend of three to five mg. This largely happens in these on SSRI medication and taking doses of methylene blue over 100 mg.
4. Kidney issues — These with extreme renal insufficiency ought to use warning and work intently with a well being care supplier.
5. G6PD deficiency — Methylene blue is contraindicated in sufferers with this genetic dysfunction.
The most typical uncomfortable side effects associated to methylene blue contain gastrointestinal discomfort, together with nausea and diarrhea, that are usually delicate and transient. Nonetheless, allergic reactions, starting from pores and skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis, are additionally doable.
Neurological results equivalent to complications and confusion can happen, with excessive doses doubtlessly triggering serotonin syndrome, particularly in sufferers taking serotonergic medicines.23 For people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, methylene blue could cause hemolytic anemia, making it essential to display screen for this genetic situation earlier than administration.
Cardiovascular results, although much less widespread, might embrace elevated blood stress and palpitations. Importantly, methylene blue can work together with varied medicines, notably antidepressants and antimalarials, altering their efficacy or inflicting antagonistic reactions.
Keep away from Utilizing Methylene Blue Options
Dissolving methylene blue in water can result in a major lower in its effectiveness after 48 to 72 hours for a number of causes:
1. Photodegradation — Methylene blue is delicate to gentle, notably UV radiation. When uncovered to pure or synthetic gentle, the chemical construction of methylene blue can break down, leading to a lack of its therapeutic properties. This degradation course of is accelerated when the compound is dissolved in water and uncovered to gentle, diminishing its effectiveness.
2. Chemical reactions — In aqueous options, methylene blue can bear redox reactions, particularly within the presence of different substances which will act as decreasing brokers. These reactions can alter the chemical construction of methylene blue, decreasing its capacity to operate successfully as a medicine.
3. Adsorption to container surfaces — Methylene blue molecules can adsorb onto the surfaces of the container in which they’re saved, equivalent to glass or plastic. This adsorption reduces the focus of methylene blue out there within the answer, successfully reducing the dosage that may be administered from the answer.
4. Instability in aqueous options — Methylene blue could also be much less steady in water in comparison with its powdered kind. The aqueous surroundings can facilitate interactions between methylene blue and different dissolved substances, which could result in precipitation or the formation of much less lively complexes.
5. Elevated danger of contamination — Options of methylene blue, as soon as ready, are extra vulnerable to bacterial contamination in comparison with stable types. Contamination can additional degrade the answer or result in the manufacturing of by-products that may diminish the effectiveness of methylene blue and pose security dangers.
For these causes, it is strongly recommended to make use of pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue in stable, capsule or pill kind, as solely as prescribed by a healthcare skilled. Keep away from utilizing any options of methylene blue for the explanations described above.
How you can Use Methylene Blue
Most consultants advocate comparatively excessive doses for longer-term remedies, together with dementia prevention and remedy, post-stroke care, cognitive enhancement and general well being optimization.
The doses they advise are 0.5 milligram (mg) to 1 mg per kilogram of physique weight. I imagine these doses are extremely extreme and pointless. Please perceive that doses of greater than 3 to five mg are probably by no means wanted until you’re present process remedy for some life-threatening conditioning like carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning or a resistant urinary tract an infection.
Deciding on the suitable product can also be necessary, and there are three varieties usually offered — industrial-grade, chemical-grade (laboratory-grade) and pharmaceutical-grade. The one one it is best to use is the pharmaceutical-grade selection. Different sorts of methylene blue, such because the one present in pet shops, are meant for holding aquariums clear. Industrial-grade methylene blue accommodates impurities, and may by no means be used for any organic functions.
There are a number of necessary concerns to think about when utilizing methylene blue. Firstly, whilst you can simply and cheaply buy methylene blue on-line, that is hardly ever a pharmaceutical grade product, and I strongly advocate by no means utilizing these merchandise due to the chance of heavy steel contamination.
Secondly, it’s a prescription drug and may solely be used with a prescription from a physician. If you happen to’re contemplating it, I encourage you to talk along with your physician about whether or not it could be applicable to your wants.
Thirdly, it’s greatest to get your prescription stuffed by a compounding pharmacy. The one type of methylene blue out there at typical pharmacies is for IV use and a ten ml vial accommodates 100 mg and prices over $200.
The dose of methylene blue that I like to recommend is 3 to five mg as soon as a day (no matter your weight). It has a half-life of 12 to 13 hours, so taking it as soon as a day is enough and can enhance your ranges over time. It’s additionally greatest to take a time without work as soon as every week in case you are taking it long run.