One of the wonderful things about medicine, and in particular integrative medicine, is that every day, no matter how much we doctor types think we know, there’s always more to learn. There’s a constant stream of new discoveries being made and promising research to dive into and exciting new ways of doing things to help patients feel better and live longer.

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While restoring health and sustaining wellness remains at the core of everything I do, focusing on aging well is fast becoming central to my approach. While we can’t stop aging altogether, advances in the longevity field, even just within the past five years or so, are enabling us to put the process of slowing aging well within reach.

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With all this in mind, I want to introduce you to a fascinating substance called methylene blue that’s showing a lot of promise when it comes to supporting a longer ‘healthspan’ (aka, a youthful life for as long as possible), a powerful ally in helping our bodies stand up to the health-eroders that limit human life. So, will methylene blue be an age-defying game changer? We’ll see how it plays out in the coming years. But for here and now, a topline on this fascinating compound:

What is methylene blue?

Methylene blue is a chemical compound, with diverse applications in several major areas, including industry, medicine and scientific research. It’s actually been around since the late 1800’s. Back then, its rich blue color was used as a dye for textiles, and later was used for biological staining in bacteriology and hematology.

What’s methylene blue been up to all these years?

Quite a bit, actually. Methylene blue, or ‘MB,’ which is now known to have antioxidant, cardioprotective, antimalarial, antifungal and antidepressant properties, wasn’t born yesterday. In fact, it was first synthesized well over a century ago, and was among the first drugs used to treat psychosis. By some accounts it’s also the oldest synthetic anti-malarial drug, having been referenced in a paper published in 1891 detailing the results of two scientists who successfully used MB to treat a malaria patient.

What else is methylene blue used for?

Fast forward a few decades and MB has been studied for use as a potential treatment for bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. In the integrative health world, MB has shown itself to be helpful in the treatment of chronic illnesses like Lyme disease, long-COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome and autoimmune diseases. MB is also often a part of longevity-focused protocols, in part because at low (and ideally monitored) doses, MB can also help boost mitochondrial function and energy levels – making it particularly promising as an anti-ager. Because it has ‘nootropic’ properties (enhancing cognitive function), in recent years, many people in the bio-hacking world have been using it as a brain and physical performance boosting supplement.

How does methylene blue work?

One of MB’s biggest claims to fame is that it boosts the mitochondria, the trillions of microscopic energy factories that drive your body, turning the food you eat and the air you breathe into the energy that powers the biochemical reactions in your cells.

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Mitochondrial energy production is essential for revitalizing cells throughout your body, in effect keeping them young, so anything that can help that cause is potentially life-changing (and possibly even life-saving). That energy is used for everything from flexing muscles to making essential enzymes and hormones and keeping your brain in good working order. That all happens easily enough when we’re young, when we have plenty of mitochondria. But, over time, they decline in both size and number – and with it, much of the energy we once took for granted. Without good mitochondrial function, every cell in your body suffers and sputters. As you run out of mitochondrial gas, over time, aging picks up speed. In fact, researchers now know that mitochondrial decline is one of the primary drivers of aging – of feeling tired and looking tired – and a major culprit behind diseases of the brain and the cardiovascular system that impact so many of us as we age. So, it’s easy to understand why adding MB to fire up mitochondrial function is such a big story in the anti-aging world.

Methylene blue could be your brain’s BFF.

In short, MB has the potential to do much of the heavy lifting to help stave off many of the ravages of aging, way beyond what its original discoverers could have even imagined back in the day. What does other health enhancing properties does MB have to offer? To name a few:

• Better cognitive function, thanks to MB’s ability to improve mitochondrial efficiency. As your brain’s neurons rely on mitochondria-derived energy, healthy mitochondrial function is essential to slowing brain aging and preventing neurological problems.
• Brain-protective effects also include slowed cellular aging and production of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. It helps tame the oxidative process before it has the chance to overwhelm our own antioxidant enzyme defenses and wreak havoc on our systems—and our brains.
• Reduced inflammation and reduced risk for the development of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, the most common life-shortener.
• Protection from viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infection by interfering with the lifecycles of pathogens.
• Enhanced physical performance and boosted energy.
• Improved mood and feelings of well-being.
• Reduced risk for the development of chronic disease.

Should I use it?

As with most things, moderation is key, so when buying MB over-the-counter, in either troche, liquid or in pill form, always start at a low dose, 4-10mg/day– do not overdo it, or mistakenly think more is better. Too much of this good thing can trigger anxiety and palpitations, so use a light touch. Though at low doses MB is generally well-tolerated, before taking it over the counter or receiving a prescription injection, know that if you’re on any kind of prescription meds, get the OK from your doc first. Certain types of drugs like antidepressants, opioids and antihistamines can have serious interactions, so if you’re taking any of these, steer clear. People with certain blood disorders, kidney disease, liver disease or who are pregnant should also give MB a hard pass.