Anyone here have any experiences taking low dose methylene blue for longevity?
I have used it. I was initially reluctant because it just seems so out there. I don’t use it often or much but everything I read seems to endorse it. I took it today but only 2 drops in a half glass of water. My interest is in prevention of Alzheimer’s. I also do Red LIght Therapy and it seems that the combination of Methylene Blue and Red Light exposure (head and face) is beneficial for the brain. I haven’t experienced any side effects. I drink it from a straw to try to bypass my teeth as much as possible as it can stain teeth.
I have taken Meth Blue on and off for the past 2 years or so. Up to 20 drops in small amount of water weeks at a time with some powdered vitamin C that’s supposed to contribute to its power (per the popular book). I experienced no ill effects, but at the same time, no discernible positive effects. I think it’s a question of blind faith in hoping it will pay off in the end.
What is your dosage and how did you arrive at that dosage.
Hello Horace,
My name is Brandon. I am on the clinical team at Healthspan. Thank you so much for your important question. Methylene blue is considered safe from 0.5-4.0mg/kg body weight [1]. Methylene blue works on a hormetic principle, meaning its benefits follow a U-shaped curve, where low doses can enhance health while higher doses may diminish or even reverse those effects. Recent interest and focus on methylene blue is exciting as it is likely to advance our understanding of this agent for many health and longevity applications in humans. From our comprehensive review of the research literature we noted many potential benefits associated with methylene blue including improvements in energy production, reduced reactive oxygen species, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and improvement in cognitive function, including mood. We also noted some instances of side effects.
For healthy individuals in pursuit of longevity benefits we encourage a conservative gradual dosing approach beginning at 5mg 5 out of 7 days per week. There is some research that suggests lower dose ranges might be advantageous for clinical conditions. Interestingly, there have been studies in which “placebo” low-dose may have similar beneficial effects according to two randomized control trials [2,3]. In these trials the low dose targets that were suggested 0.15-0.3mg/kg body weight [2] and utilized were 8mg/day [3].
Dose increase with Healthspan is possible up to 25mg 5 out of 7 days per week. This is something that the clinical team would help individuals navigate based upon their specific goals and a more complete understanding of other lifestyle habits or agents involved in their longevity pursuit. As always, in an effort to provide guidance that is safe and effective while mitigating risk we have concluded that lower dose methylene blue may be the best way to optimize for benefits and minimize for risks.
Refs:
- Xue, H., Thaivalappil, A., & Cao, K. (2021). The Potentials of Methylene Blue as an Anti-Aging Drug. Cells, 10(12), 3379.
- Alda, M., McKinnon, M., Blagdon, R., Garnham, J., MacLellan, S., O’Donovan, C., Hajek, T., Nair, C., Dursun, S., & MacQueen, G. (2017). Methylene blue treatment for residual symptoms of bipolar disorder: randomised crossover study. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 210(1), 54–60.
- Gauthier, S., Feldman, H. H., Schneider, L. S., Wilcock, G. K., Frisoni, G. B., Hardlund, J. H., Moebius, H. J., Bentham, P., Kook, K. A., Wischik, D. J., Schelter, B. O., Davis, C. S., Staff, R. T., Bracoud, L., Shamsi, K., Storey, J. M., Harrington, C. R., & Wischik, C. M. (2016). Efficacy and safety of tau-aggregation inhibitor therapy in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-arm, phase 3 trial. Lancet (London, England), 388(10062), 2873–2884.