Methylene blue, which was first created in 1876, began to be used as a fabric dye. Scientists soon realized that it had medical benefits, and in 1891, it became the first synthetic compound to be used to treat malaria.1
It was the first synthetic compound to be used as an antiseptic. To this day, methylene blue is essential in hospitals worldwide as it is the only known antidote for metabolic toxins such as cyanide and carbon monoxide.2 In fact, it is on the “Model List of Essential Medicines” by the World Health Organization (WHO).3
In fact, I believe that methylene blue is one of the most important home remedies. Adding to its long list of benefits, emerging research shows it’s good for your brain and bone health.
How does methylene blue work?
Methylene blue is a versatile compound with many applications, but its greatest importance lies in cellular energy production. It primarily interacts with the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is critical for generating energy in cells.
In normal cellular respiration, electrons from the food we consume pass through a series of protein complexes in the mitochondria. This process, known as the electron transport chain, ultimately leads to the production of ATP, the cell’s energy currency. In this chain, oxygen acts as the last electron acceptor.
The unique property of methylene blue is to accept electrons and transfer them directly to oxygen, efficiently bypassing the steps in the normal electron transport chain. This alternative electron transport improves energy production, especially in situations where normal cellular processes are weakened or ineffective.
By facilitating more efficient electron transfer and energy production, methylene blue improves various cellular functions and overall health. This ability to interact with and enhance cellular energetics makes methylene blue a topic of interest in both scientific research and therapeutic applications. in me Interview with Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, Ph.D.A methylene blue expert explained.
“Methylene blue donates its electrons directly to the electron transport chain. It gains electrons from surrounding compounds and takes up oxygen consumption and energy production. In doing so, it helps reduce oxygen completely to water.”
They are often two things that do not go together. It acts as an antioxidant, because it donates electrons for electron transport, as oxygen enters the water, creating energy, because when the electron transport pumps are activated with oxidative phosphorylation, the formation of ATP increases.
We often have things that improve energy metabolism, but they lead to oxidative stress. In the case of methylene blue, that is not the case.
They increase oxygen consumption, increase ATP production for energy metabolism, and at the same time reduce oxidative stress, of course, reducing oxidative damage at the level of mitochondria, then at the level of other cells. Cells, and ultimately cell membranes, and the reactions that result from this oxidative damage.
Methylene blue protects against brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases
March 2024 review published in Reviews in Neuroscience4 It investigates the use of methylene blue as a therapeutic agent for traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is characterized by damage to brain tissue from external force. TB injury causes neurodegenerative processes that continue long after the initial injury.
It shares many pathological features with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles. This similarity is significant because it suggests that treatments that are effective for one condition may be beneficial for another. The authors explained:5
In AD In the pathogenesis as well as in cerebral ischemia and TBI oxidative stress, progressive inflammation, glial activation, blood-brain barrier and excessive autophagy activation are involved, indicating that there are many targets … affected by neuroprotectors. .
This means, many different types of neural tissue lesions represent many… targets for therapeutic interventions. One such substance… is methylene blue (MB), which is used in a variety of therapeutic strategies.
This drug… (has) anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects, activates autophagy, inhibits the synthesis of abnormally shaped proteins, inhibits NO synthase, and suppresses electron transfer in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.
These insights are supported by other studies.6,7 For example, published research on medical hypotheses8 How methylene blue reduces neuronal damage caused by iron overload in the brain, which leads to the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction, a process that produces iron and hydrogen peroxide (H2oh2).
These radicals cause severe oxidative stress, damage cellular components, and accelerate neurological dysfunction and death. This process not only damages neurons, but also promotes the accumulation of misfolded proteins, which aggravates the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Methylene blue reduces these effects by inhibiting the Fenton reaction and reducing the production of hydroxyl radicals.
The role of methylene blue in supporting bone health
Another study was published in the journal Aging in March 20249 He investigated how methylene blue improves bone aging when administered long-term. In addition, mitoquinone (MitoQ), a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.
The researchers conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments on mice. The results of both experiments showed that while methylene blue and MitoQ did not alter the progression of age-related bone loss, they did show a dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.
This is important because osteoclasts play a role in bone resorption, which is the process of breaking down bone. Excessive osteoclast activity leads to bone loss and diseases such as osteoporosis. By inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, methylene blue, as well as MitoQ, reduces the risk of bone loss.
The authors also note that while methylene blue and mitoki reduce bone resorption, taking them alone may not be enough to prevent bone loss. To maximize their benefits, they should be combined with lifestyle measures such as regular exercise or anabolic bone loading. This multifaceted approach is a more effective strategy for reducing age-related decline in bone health.
Other ways methylene blue is good for your health
Methylene blue has been shown to have many other health benefits, such as:
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Reduces the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs): I consider this to be one of the most useful Methylene Blue supplements as it provides a powerful and gut-friendly option for treating UTIs. This is especially important for the elderly, who often suffer from intestinal health problems. Since methylene blue is not metabolized by your body, it is excreted by the kidneys into your bladder, where it accumulates and eventually reaches high enough concentrations to act as a strong oxidant, effectively killing pathogens in the bladder.10 |
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Improves skin health – According to a study published in the journal Cells.11 Methylene Blue promotes skin firmness and elasticity by reducing the signs of aging by inhibiting oxidative damage, increasing fibroblast lifespan and promoting cell proliferation. |
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Controls Arthritis – A 2022 animal study published in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica12 Methylene blue helps control arthritis by protecting cartilage from degeneration, reducing synovitis (joint inflammation) and relieving joint pain. It exerts these actions by modulating the enzymes Nrf2 and PRDX1, which are important in regulating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. |
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Reduces the risk of vasoplegia: This condition is characterized by persistently low arterial resistance due to severe and uncontrolled arterial dilation, even though the heart is beating normally. Research shows that methylene blue can help control this condition by reducing the effect of cytokines that cause blood vessels to dilate. It does this by inhibiting enzymes such as NO synthase and guanylyl cyclase and by blocking M3 receptors as a cholinesterase inhibitor.13 |
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Promotes mitochondrial health: A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science14 Methylene blue has been found to increase levels of hydrogen peroxide, which activates the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. This in turn increases antioxidant gene activity and reduces mitochondrial DNA damage. |
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Reduces repetitive strain injury – Reperfusion injury occurs when blood supply is restored to tissue after a period of ischemia, such as in a heart attack or brain injury. According to a 2021 animal study published in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica,15 Methylene blue reduces brain inflammation following ischemic stroke by inhibiting the activity of AQP4 and ERK1/2 enzymes involved in regulating fluid balance and inflammation in brain cells. |
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Improves the effect of niacinamide – According to Georgi Dinkov, an expert in bioenergetic medicine, methylene blue enhances the benefits of niacinamide (vitamin B3) on brain health and metabolism.16 |
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Prevents additional environmental damage from sun protection – I do not recommend using sunscreen as it interferes with your body’s production of vitamin D. Instead, it’s much better to cover your skin with clothing when it’s time to go out in the sun. However, if you need to use a sunscreen, such as for outdoor activities, choose a sunscreen with nanosized particles containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. In addition to these ingredients, consider sunscreen with methylene blue, which has been proven safe for coral reefs. Most sunscreens sold today contain oxybenzone, a chemical that is harmful to aquatic ecosystems.17 |
General drug recommendations
Methylene blue exhibits hormesis, meaning that low doses produce beneficial effects, while high doses produce negative effects, so getting the right dose is important to maximize the benefits. As a general guideline, dosages of 0.5 to 4 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight are recommended.
For acute treatment, such as in cyanide poisoning, the upper limit is 3 to 4 mg. For most adults, a low dose of 3 to 5 mg once a day works best for long-term treatment. It has a half-life of 12 to 13 hours, so it is best to take it once a day. Taking with ascorbic acid increases absorption.
This low dose is especially effective for people with weight loss anxiety. However, an alternative that is easier to obtain and safer to use would be molecular hydrogen. Learn more from my latest post An interview with Dr. Tyler Libaron.
Choosing the right methylene blue for your medicine cabinet
Along with its many health benefits, methylene blue is a valuable addition to your medicine cabinet. However, it is important to choose the right type. You will find three primary grades on the market: industrial-grade, chemical-grade (laboratory-grade), and pharmaceutical-grade.
It’s the only pharmaceutical grade kind I recommend using, available by prescription. Avoid industrial-grade methylene blue, often found in pet stores, for aquarium maintenance. They contain a large amount of pure methylene blue, about 10 to 25%. Similarly, chemical grade methylene blue is intended for laboratory color experiments and contains harmful metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
While pharmaceutical grade methylene blue may not be available at your local pharmacy, many compounding pharmacies stock it. If you have trouble finding a reliable source, ask your doctor for a prescription from a compounding pharmacy.
