Methylene Blue: Boon or Bane?

Numerous biohackers are advocating for the use of synthetic methylene blue. But does it truly deliver? The answer is not straightforward. Here's what one ought to be aware of.

From Industrial Dye to Supplement

1. The Origins as an Industrial Dye

2. In 1876, German chemist Heinrich Caro concocted a textile dye derived from coal tar. Its intense blue hue rendered it highly suitable for dyeing materials such as cotton. However, as an industrial dye, this synthetic compound presents significant drawbacks. It is toxic, carcinogenic, and non - biodegradable. Through industrial wastewater, it infiltrates the drinking water supply, posing a threat to living organisms, including humans.

3. The Transformation into a Supplement

4. Physician Paul Ehrlich, in the 1890s, employed methylene blue to stain biological tissues. This staining facilitated better visualization of the tissues under a microscope. During his experiments, he discovered that the stain could selectively bind to certain cells and microbes, hinting at its therapeutic potential.

5. Subsequently, methylene blue was found to possess antimalarial properties and was among the first synthetic drugs utilized to treat malaria around 1900. Although it seemed effective, it had the side - effect of turning the whites of patients' eyes and their urine blue.

6. In the 1930s, methylene blue became the primary treatment for methemoglobinemia, a condition characterized by hemoglobin's inability to carry oxygen efficiently. Later, its mild antimicrobial effects led to its use in some urinary tract infection (UTI) treatments. Additionally, it is used to treat pharmacologically induced priapism (persistent erections due to excessive Viagra intake).

7. Over time, researchers have subjected the original petroleum - based product to various chemical processes such as oxidation, cyclization, methylation, and purification. As a result, the methylene blue sold today as a supplement is not as crude as the industrial dye.

Purported Benefits of Methylene Blue Supplements

1. Cognitive/Nootropic

2. Some assert that methylene blue enhances memory and learning capacity, improves focus, clarity, and attention span. It is claimed to alleviate brain fog and mental fatigue.

3. Mental Health

4. There are suggestions that methylene blue may be effective in treating mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It may also play a role in preventing or slowing the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

5. Anti - Aging

6. It is purported to enhance skin health and safeguard against cellular damage through its antioxidant effects and other biological pathways.

Efficacy of Methylene Blue

1. Positive Findings

2. In a study, participants were administered a low dose of methylene blue or a placebo. Subsequently, they were placed in a brain - imaging machine and given a memory test. Certain brain areas in the methylene - blue - treated patients "lit up," and they performed 7% better than those on the placebo in memory tests. In related studies, methylene blue demonstrated "some cognitive benefits" for Alzheimer's patients.

3. Methylene blue appears to boost mitochondrial efficiency, leading to increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and improved neuronal energy metabolism. These effects are associated with enhancements in memory and executive functions, including attention and cognitive flexibility.

4. Early rodent studies indicated that methylene blue exhibits antidepressant - like effects. Short - term human studies in the 1980s showed that patients receiving it experienced a 44% reduction in depression scores. Similarly, bipolar patients experienced reduced depression and anxiety symptoms without exacerbating manic episodes at the higher doses studied. A 2017 study reported moderate improvements in depression scores and significant reductions in anxiety over six months of treatment.

5. On the anti - aging front, methylene blue seemed to reduce oxidative stress and slow cellular aging.

6. The Role of Dosage

7. Methylene blue exhibits a biphasic dose - response. Low doses can be beneficial, while higher doses can be harmful. Chronic high - dose intake can lead to tissue accumulation, with unknown long - term consequences. High doses interfere with mitochondrial function and act as a pro - oxidant, nullifying its beneficial effects. Animal studies have even shown it to be neurotoxic (damaging to nerve cells). Despite these risks, many biohackers use daily amounts that fall within the toxic range.

8. Generally, as a supplement, methylene blue may be beneficial at a dosage of 0.5 to 4 mg. Doses exceeding this, especially over time, carry increasing risks. Many studies use 15 mg or more for specific therapeutic purposes, such as treating severe depression/anxiety or neurodegenerative diseases. However, these studies are medically supervised and usually of short - term duration.

9. Methylene blue is particularly perilous for those taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin - norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) antidepressants. Concurrent use could lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be life - threatening. The early signs of excessive intake typically include nausea, dizziness, headaches, and discolored (blue - green) urine.

Conclusion: A Substance Surrounded by Uncertainty

1. Researcher's Caution

2. Researchers generally concur that methylene blue shows promise but strongly advise against self - experimentation. There is a dearth of knowledge regarding its long - term risks, including pro - oxidant effects, mitochondrial damage, cellular toxicity, neurotoxicity, and drug interactions. Many biohackers promote methylene blue as a nootropic or anti - aging supplement, yet it may have adverse effects on healthy individuals.

3. T Nation's Stance

4. At T Nation, while we encourage careful and informed self - experimentation, methylene blue remains a substance fraught with uncertainty. If one decides to try it, a low dose should be used for a short period, and only the pharmaceutical - grade form should be employed. For now, we recommend refraining from its use.

5. A Safer Alternative

6. Individuals seeking cognitive enhancement, relief from mood disorders, or anti - aging effects should first address the fundamentals by rectifying nutritional deficiencies associated with inflammation. Omega - 3 fatty acid deficiency, which is becoming increasingly prevalent, is linked to poor cognitive functions, depression, anxiety, and accelerated aging. Correcting this deficiency before experimenting with an industrial - derived dye is a prudent approach. One can simply take 4200 mg of fish oil daily, such as three softgels of Flameout DHA - Rich Fish Oil (available for purchase on Amazon).