Methylene blue has a long history of use in conventional medicine as a way to lower excess haemoglobin, treat urinary tract infections and as a remedy for cyanide poisoning. However, recent research is demonstrating that Methylene Blue offers many more potential health benefits, such as improvements in mitochondrial and cognitive health.

Methylene blue was first formulated in 1876 by Heinrich Caro. This was a landmark formulation and Methylene blue has since been called the first fully synthetic drug used in medicine.

In the late 19th Century, Methylene blue saw its first use in the treatment of malaria. At this time, researchers believed that drugs and dyes both worked by selectively staining pathogens and damaging them somehow.

Methylene blue was used as an antimalarial during the Second World War, but it soon fell out of favour as soldiers complained about it turning their urine blue.

It was this urine-colouring effect that gave rise to Methylene blue being used as a way to check whether psychiatric patients were adhering to their pharmaceutical regimen. Clinical effects were soon noticed in those psychiatric patients taking methylene blue, sparking interest in the drug’s antidepressant and other psychotropics.

Contemporary research has sparked a revival of interest in the use of Methylene blue as an antimalarial. In 1933, researchers found that Methylene blue was an effective antidote to carbon monoxide poisoning and cyanide poisoning.

Methylene Blue can be found on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines; widely regarded as a list of the world’s safest and most effective medicines. In addition to it’s clinical uses, Methylene blue is also used as a bacteriologic stain, an indicator dye, and for surgical and medical marking.

METHYLENE BLUE PREVENTS AND REVERSES AGEING
A 2017 study showed Methylene Blue to be a potent antioxidant for connective tissue cells, like skin, regardless of the patient type e.g. healthy or unhealthy.

Methylene blue generated connective tissue and slowed cellular death at a greater rate than other selective mitochondrial antioxidants.

Interestingly, Methylene blue was found to alter the expression of genes coding for proteins in the skin. For example, the production of collagen and elastin, both important proteins in determining skin health, was increased. This study determined that dosage of 0.5 μM Methylene Blue “significantly increased cell viability in comparison to the control”. Importantly, Tissues treated with 5.0 μM and 10.0 μM actually showed a loss in cell viability.

It seems that low concentrations of Methylene blue (less than 2.5 μM) are the safest and most efficacious for long-term use. Until more research is done, we think that 0.5 μM is a solid starting point for future research.

METHYLENE BLUE IS AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT
Monoamine oxidase enzymes break down certain neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and serotonin. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are used to reduce the activity of these enzymes in an attempt to fix a disrupted balance of neurotransmitters seem in those with depression.

Methylene Blue is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). At low-medium doses, Methylene blue reduces the activity of MAO-A more than MAO-B, but the degree of inhibition levels out at higher doses. Caution must be used at doses greater than 5mg/kg as Methylene blue may cause a fatal build-up of serotonin – a particular risk when combined with SSRI medications.

METHYLENE BLUE TREATS MALARIA
Methylene blue was first identified as a possible treatment for malaria by Paul Ehrlich in 1891. It quickly became one of the first synthetic antimalarial drugs ever used. Methylene blue fell out of favour as an antimalarial due to the undesirable effect of turning patients’ urine blue or green and having a similar effect on the whites of the eye.

However, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in its use as an anti-malarial, with a number of clinical trials in progress. In fact, a 2014 study found that Intravenous methylene blue was just as effective as the standard malaria treatment method, intravenous artesunate. This study found that 20 mg per kg was the minimum effective daily dose.

METHYLENE BLUE REDUCES CANCER GROWTH
Studies show that Methylene blue causes cancer cell apoptosis (cell death) by the generation of cellular oxidative stress via the NQO1-dependent.

Methylene Blue is being explored for its role in the photodynamic treatment of cancer (R). A very recent study found that Methylene blue when used as part of photodynamic therapy (more on this below), causes “massive cell death of tumour cells”. Furthermore, malignant cells were far more susceptible to the therapy compared to healthy cells.

METHYLENE BLUE TREATS DISEASES OF THE BRAIN (ALZHEIMER’S, HUNTINGTON’S, PARKINSON’S)
Recent research has demonstrated that Methylene blue has the potential to reduce the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles seen in Alzheimer’s disease (R).

Studies have also demonstrated that by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, Methylene blue can increase levels of acetylcholine. 

Methylene blue also has the ability to repair mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism – both of which are often damaged in Alzheimer’s.

Methylene blue’s neuroprotective effects are mediated by autophagy (an intracellular degradation system) through activation of AMPK signalling. This makes it a potentially useful treatment for conditions such as Huntington’s.

METHYLENE BLUE IMPROVES BRAIN HEALTH
A 2017 study investigated the effects of Methylene blue on adult neural stem cells in mice. Although no differences in the ability of the stem cells to multiply were identified, there was a general potential of MB to increase the migratory capacity of adult neural stem cells i.e. neural mobility. Methylene blue made it easier for the brain to “re-wire” itself.

In 2012, a study investigating the mechanisms of Methylene blue’s neuroprotective effects found that Methylene blue could reduce superoxide (potent free radical) production by acting as an alternative mitochondrial electron transfer carrier, as well as a recyclable anti-oxidant in mitochondria.

Methylene blue inhibits GABA receptor function by interacting with the GABA binding site. This could explain the compound’s positive effect on the CNS.

Methylene blue can be given in a number of ways: slow IV injection over a number of minutes, IV infusions, orally or topically.

Although oral preparations are not commercially available in many healthcare systems, they have previously been prepared by diluting 50-100mg in 100-200ml of water

Methylene Blue Safety
Methylene blue is a very safe drug when used in therapeutic doses (<2mg/kg) (R). The following negative effects are all attributable to very high dosages.

Toxicity has been reported with high doses. Side effects of Methylene blue toxicity include cardiac arrhythmias, coronary vasoconstriction, decreased cardiac output and blood flow in different parts of the body.

Large quantities of Methylene blue can also turn the urine a greenish blue.

In new born babies, Methylene blue can cause excess bilirubin, meth-Haemoglobin formation, haemolytic anaemia, respiratory distress and swelling of the lungs.

Be aware that taking Methylene Blue can interfere with the reading of a pulse oximeter and create a falsely low oxygen saturation reading.

As discussed above, Methylene blue is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. This property can cause extreme serotonin toxicity at doses >5mg/kg (very high dose).

Do not use Methylene Blue if you are using any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s) including 5-HTP, bupropion, buspirone, citalopram, clomipramine, doxepin, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate, milnacipran, mirtazapine, paroxetine, rasagiline, sertraline, selegiline, St. John’s wort, trazodone, tryptophan, Zimelidine, and venlafaxine or have Glucose-
6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Do not use Methylene Blue if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you are dealing with any type of renal impairment.

Avoid Methylene Blue in combination with the following drugs and supplements:
5-HTP
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)
Norco (acetaminophen/hydrocodone)

Drugs.com also recommends checking with your doctor about using Methylene Blue if you are using the following medications:
alfentanil, fentanyl, buspirone, digoxin, digitalis, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine,
phenytoin, pimozide, quinidine, 
warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven),
an MAO inhibitor–isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline,
tranylcypromine, and others;
an “SSRI” antidepressant–citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and others;
an “SNRI” antidepressant–desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, milnacipran,
venlafaxine, Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq, and other antidepressants–bupropion, clomipramine, mirtazapine; or
Medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection–cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus.

If in doubt use Drugs.com interaction checker; https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

The statements made about our product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.

These statements are not meant to replace the recommendations of your physician. You should always speak with your own health care provider before taking any dietary, nutritional or herbal supplements.

You should not use any information contained here to self-diagnose or treat any medical condition or disease. Do not alter or stop the usage of any prescribed medication without your Physician’s knowledge and consent. Every person is
different and the way someone reacts to a particular product may be different from another.