Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue

Methylene blue, or methylthioninium chloride, is a synthetic compound with a vibrant blue color that was developed in the 1870s as the first entirely man-made medicine.¹ It was initially used as a textile dye, but over time, scientists discovered its therapeutic effects on human health with antimalarial, antibiotic, and antipsychotic potential. Today, methylene blue has a wide range of clinical applications in medical diagnostics and treatments, ranging from neurology to infectious diseases. However, its anti-oxidative properties bring new attention to this century-old medication.

One of the primary medical uses of methylene blue is for treating methemoglobinemia. In this condition, hemoglobin is unable to release oxygen to body tissues. Methylene blue helps restore hemoglobin’s normal function and improve oxygen delivery. Its invaluable role as a staining agent in medical diagnostics helps doctors visualize cell structures and facilitate accurate disease diagnosis. For example, at Sanoviv, methylene blue is used for sentinel lymph node biopsy² in breast cancer patients, avoiding the removal of unnecessary nodes.

The Top Benefits of Methylene Blue

1. Malaria treatment. During World War 2, methylene blue was used in soldiers as an antimalarial drug and is considered one of the most effective malaria treatments, mainly when used in combination with other specific drugs.³ Scientists also found that methylene blue can prevent the spread of Malaria following treatment.
2. Antidote for emergency situations. An evidence-based 2018 scientific review⁴ recommends hospitals stock methylene blue as an emergency antidote for circulatory shock, neuroprotection, anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), and chemical overdose, including some recreational drugs, or poisoning (carbon monoxide and cyanide). Many emergency rooms worldwide now have methylene blue on hand as an antidote for certain medical emergencies.
3. Antiviral treatment. Several studies show methylene blue’s antiviral, antibiotic, and antifungal effects. It is effective against bacterial and fungal pathogens like E. coli, staphylococcus, candida, and some antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2020 study concluded that methylene blue is a promising drug for SARS-Cov-2, inhibiting viral replication.⁵
4. Neuroprotection and brain health. Studies suggest that methylene blue may enhance brain cells’ mitochondrial efficiency and energy metabolism. This is important for diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, where mitochondrial dysfunction is a contributing factor. Research shows that methylene blue can inhibit the formation of protein aggregates associated with these neurodegenerative diseases, potentially slowing their progression.⁶

A single dose can improve memory and attention since methylene blue quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier.⁷ Methylene blue can also influence neurotransmitter activity, particularly norepinephrine, and serotonin, which help to regulate mood. Clinical observations have reported reduced depressive symptoms in patients who received methylene blue, suggesting it may be a potent antidepressant⁸ and also useful as an adjunctive treatment for symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.⁹ However, it’s important to note that methylene blue should be used with caution in those on SSRI medications.

5. Pain relief. Methylene blue has shown potential as a pain treatment since it has the ability to balance the nervous system and reduce inflammation.¹⁰ Research suggests it inhibits two key enzymes in pain signaling pathways to reduce neuropathic and inflammatory pain. It’s effective in conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and chronic lower back pain. Since Methylene blue is a long-term inhibitor of peripheral nerve axons, it effectively alleviates or permanently eliminates osteoarthritis-associated pain.¹¹ Lastly, methylene blue’s antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress, which plays a role in chronic pain conditions.
6. Heart health. Methylene blue can improve heart health by enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress.¹² Dysfunctional mitochondria are implicated in several neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. Heart disease and diabetes are metabolic disorders that methylene blue can positively influence.¹³

Other Methylene Blue Benefits

An internet search of methylene blue benefits shows it can also be helpful for longevity and vitality, skin health, and general wellness. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a magic cure for everything, and for therapeutic use, obtaining a pharmaceutical-grade formulation under professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and purity. Stay tuned for emerging research on this interesting substance.

Sanoviv uses intravenous methylene blue in many programs including the NeuroCognitive, Long COVID, Lyme Disease and Co-Infections, and the Mycotoxin Detox programs and as an add-on medical therapy.

REFERENCES

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2. East JM, Valentine CS, Kanchev E, Blake GO. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer using methylene blue dye manifests a short learning curve among experienced surgeons: a prospective tabular cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. BMC Surg. 2009 Jan 27;9:2.
3. Coulibaly B, Zoungrana A, Mockenhaupt FP, Schirmer RH, Klose C, Mansmann U, Meissner PE, Müller O. Strong gametocytocidal effect of methylene blue-based combination therapy against falciparum malaria: a randomised controlled trial. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5318.
4. Baldo CF, Silva LM, Arcencio L, Albuquerque AAS, Celotto AC, Basile-Filho A, Evora PRB. Why Methylene Blue Have to Be Always Present in the Stocking of Emergency Antidotes. Curr Drug Targets. 2018;19(13):1550-1559.
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7. Rodriguez P, Zhou W, Barrett DW, Altmeyer W, Gutierrez JE, Li J, Lancaster JL, Gonzalez-Lima F, Duong TQ. Multimodal Randomized Functional MR Imaging of the Effects of Methylene Blue in the Human Brain. Radiology. 2016 Nov;281(2):516-526. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2016152893. Epub 2016 Jun 28.
8. Naylor GJ, Smith AH, Connelly P. A controlled trial of methylene blue in severe depressive illness. Biol Psychiatry. 1987 May;22(5):657-9.
9. Alda M, McKinnon M, Blagdon R, Garnham J, MacLellan S, O’Donovan C, Hajek T, Nair C, Dursun S, MacQueen G. Methylene blue treatment for residual symptoms of bipolar disorder: randomised crossover study. Br J Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;210(1):54-60.
10. Lee SW, Han HC. Methylene Blue Application to Lessen Pain: Its Analgesic Effect and Mechanism. Front Neurosci. 2021 May 17;15:663650.
11. Li X, Tang C, Wang J, Guo P, Wang C, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Wu H. Methylene blue relieves the development of osteoarthritis by upregulating lncRNA MEG3. Exp Ther Med. 2018 Apr;15(4):3856-3864. doi: 10.3892/etm.2018.5918. Epub 2018 Mar 2. Retraction in: Exp Ther Med. 2024 May 08;28(1):274.
12. Duicu OM, Privistirescu A, Wolf A, Petruş A, Dănilă MD, Raţiu CD, Muntean DM, Sturza A. Methylene blue improves mitochondrial respiration and decreases oxidative stress in a substrate-dependent manner in diabetic rat hearts. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017 Nov;95(11):1376-1382.
13. Tucker D, Lu Y, Zhang Q. From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection-an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue. Mol Neurobiol. 2018 Jun;55(6):5137-5153.