Low Dose Naltrexone

Written By Lauren Ponder

Although LDN has been around for 20 years, I have since learned in the last year how truly miraculous this drug is for healing cancer, autoimmunity, including Long COVID (the 106th confirmed autoimmune disease), HIV/AIDS and neurodegenerative diseases. 

ANECDOTLE: 

Within 3 days of starting a 3mg dose a few years ago, my pain level went down by 70-80%.  I was amazed.  Even if the effects aren’t palpable, like in my case, the benefits are happening.   Read on…


What is LDN?

The higher dose of Naltrexone (50mg or higher) is about blocking opioid receptors in the body in order to get people off of drugs. When blocking opioid receptors, drugs or alcohol no longer have any effect, so the appeal is greatly diminished.  Why do drugs/alcohol if you don’t get the high?

Low Dose Naltrexone, or LDN, (0.5mg – 4.5mg) is used for balancing and regulating the immune system.

 

PSA: 

In the last two years, as the soundbite of Low Dose Naltrexone is starting to permeate the airwaves, multiple autoimmune or chronic illness clients have come to me on prescription Naltrexone at the lowest dose available at your corner pharmacy. 

Make no mistake. The lowest dose of Naltrexone (50mg) which is used for people trying to become sober, is very different than Low Dose Naltrexone, LDN, (0.5mg – 4.5mg) which is used for those who are dealing with chronic issues. 

LDN is only available through a compounded pharmacy.  This distinction is critical.

How does LDN work:

There are two basic mechanisms to LDN:

1) It balances and regulates the immune system and

2) it reduces central nervous system inflammation.

LDN works primarily by increasing endorphins and promoting T regulatory cell function.

T regulatory cells keep the immune system in balance, and they turn inflammation on and off, depending on what’s needed.  In people with overactive immune systems, such as allergies, asthma or autoimmune conditions, T-reg cells prevent the immune system from getting stuck and LDN modulates TGF-B (an inflammatory cytokine) which leads to a reduction of Th-17 (T-reg inhibitors), the promotor of autoimmunity.  This means that LDN turns off the cells that cause autoimmunity.  What?!!  Here’s how:  

1.      LDN temporarily blocks the opioid receptors in the brain.

2.      When the receptors are blocked, the body thinks more opioids are needed.

3.      So, the body produces more.

4.      By the time more opioids are produced, LDN is out of the system.

5.      The receptors are unblocked at this point and receive the excess production.

6.      This essentially leads to a net increase in opioid production.

Research knows that people with autoimmune disease and chronic issues often have low levels of these opioids.  It also knows that white blood cells, which are what drive the immune response, have receptors for these opioids too.  So, similarly to blocking opioid receptors in order to produce more endorphins, LDN also blocks toll-like receptor 4, found on white blood cells called microglia. 

Microglia are central nervous system immune cells that produce inflammation, pain sensitivity, fatigue, insomnia, mood disorders and cognitive problems.  When the enteric nervous system, the nervous system that surrounds your gut, is inflamed, these microglia of the central nervous system become chronically activated.  This results in neurotoxicity and a downstream cascade of symptoms associated with these inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic pain, depression, etc.  LDN essentially blocks that cascade by blocking the receptors on those microglial cells.  As a result, LDN has been shown to reduce an inflammatory marker called erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which is also high in people with these inflammatory disorders.   

 

“Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) may well be the most important therapeutic breakthrough in over fifty years. It provides a new, safe and inexpensive method of medical treatment by mobilizing the natural defenses of one’s own immune system.”

— David Gluck, MD

 

Why is LDN not widely known?

Low Dose Naltrexone is off patent.  This means the drug companies don’t make any money selling it.  For this reason, there isn’t a whole lot of money being put into research.  Like a healthy diet, and ways to actually help heal the body, why would anyone promote something no one makes money off of – the reason for our entire health crisis.  …but I digress. 

LDN Research Trust, however, is the collector and promotor of all scientific and clinical studies, as well as movement forward for this amazingly potent little pill. 

 

When will the low-dose use of naltrexone become FDA approved?

Naltrexone, at 50mg or higher, is FDA approved and has been since 1984.

However, the varied uses of LDN at .5mg-4.5mg will most likely be awaiting application for quite some time as the clinical trials required for FDA approval costs millions of dollars.  And, since no one is making money off of an off-patent drug, the incentive is low for anyone to put millions towards something with no monetary return.   


What is LDN Used for?

LDN research to date has been primarily on cancer, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, autoimmunity in general, fibromyalgia, AIDS, and autism. It’s especially effective for Crohn’s with over a 70% remission rate and even complete mucosal healing as evidenced by colonoscopy. 

Anecdotally, clinicians are using it for a wide range of conditions involving inflammation and immune dysregulation, more specific autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s and Graves’, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

It’s also being extensively used for infertility. A clinic in the United Kingdom is almost entirely focused on using LDN and diet (gluten free) and lifestyle change for fertility.

 

The following uses are from LowDoseNaltrexone.org (beginning)

Cancers

Bladder Cancer

Breast Cancer

Carcinoid

Colon & Rectal Cancer

Glioblastoma

Liver Cancer

Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell)

Lymphocytic Leukemia (chronic)

Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's)

Malignant Melanoma

Multiple Myeloma

Neuroblastoma

Ovarian Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Prostate Cancer (untreated)

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Throat Cancer

Uterine Cancer

Neurodegenerative Diseases

ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

Alzheimer's Disease

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Parkinson's Disease

Post-Polio Syndrome

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Transverse Myelitis

 

Autoimmune Diseases

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Behcet's Disease

Celiac Disease

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

CREST syndrome

Crohn's Disease

Dermatomyositis

Dystonia

Endometriosis

Fibromyalgia

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

Nephrotic Syndrome

Pemphigoid

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Psoriasis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sarcoidosis

Scleroderma

Sjogren’s Syndrome

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS)

Systemic Lupus (SLE)

Ulcerative Colitis

Wegener's Granulomatosis

Other Diseases

Common Colds (URI’s)

Emphysema (COPD)

HIV/AIDS

Depression (Major; and Bipolar)

Lyme Disease (LATE Stage)

LDN has demonstrated efficacy in thousands of cases.

Cancer. As of mid-2004, Dr. Bihari reported having treated over 300 patients who had a cancer that had failed to respond to standard treatments. Of that group, some 50%, after four to six months treatment with LDN, began to demonstrate a halt in cancer growth and, of those, over one-third have shown objective signs of tumor shrinkage.

Autoimmune diseases. Within the group of patients who presented with an autoimmune disease (see above list), none have failed to respond to LDN; all have experienced a halt in progression of their illness. In many patients there was a marked remission in signs and symptoms of the disease. The greatest number of patients within the autoimmune group are people with multiple sclerosis, of whom there were some 400 in Dr. Bihari's practice. Less than 1% of these patients has ever experienced a fresh attack of MS while they maintained their regular LDN nightly therapy.

HIV/AIDS. As of September 2003, Dr. Bihari had been treating 350 AIDS patients using LDN in conjunction with accepted AIDS therapies. Over the prior 7 years over 85% of these patients showed no detectable levels of the HIV virus — a much higher success rate than most current AIDS treatments, and with no significant side effects. It is also worth noting that many HIV/AIDS patients have been living symptom-free for years taking only LDN with no other medications.

Central Nervous System disorders. Anecdotal reports continue to be received concerning beneficial effects of LDN on the course of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS—Lou Gehrig’s disease), and primary lateral sclerosis.  Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless has found a very positive effect of LDN, in appropriately reduced dosage and applied as a transdermal cream, in children with autism.

How is it possible that one medication can impact such a wide range of disorders?

The disorders listed above all share a particular feature: in all of them, the immune system plays a central role. Low blood levels of endorphins are generally present, contributing to the disease-associated immune deficiencies.

LowDoseNaltrexone.com (end)

Sidenote:  other research has shown how chronic diseases start in the body. there is a throughline between trauma, big T or little t, physical or emotional, and chronic issues mentioned in this post.  

When trauma happens to the body, ‘feel good’ hormones, like endorphins, diminish.

If you relate the lack of endorphins (the feel good hormone that LDN builds) and low levels of other D.O.S.E. chemicals such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, to dis-ease and unwellness, then the abundance of these can all correlate to healing and overall health. building these hormones back up can conversely begin to shape your physiologic system and pave the way for your healing journey. 

Not just LDN, but programs such as Dynamic Neural Retraining (DNRS), Neurofeedback, The Gupta Approach and others, are all available to uplevel these d.o.s.e hormones.  They aren’t as quick, but the end game is the same. 

Retraining the brain out of what is called Limbic System Dysfunction, elevates the mood, remaps neural pathways and gives the body both a foundational mindset allowing for D.o.s.e chemicals to expand and thereby a physiological reset back into the healing state.


LOW DOSE NALTREXONE & LONG COVID

Since Long COVID was designated the 106th autoimmune condition, and it is affecting men as equally as it is affecting women, it has been getting a tremendous amount of attention.  As it relates to LDN, the research at present shows these benefits of taking 1.5mg-4.5mg each night:

 

·        Boosts energy levels

·        Decreases pain

·        Minimizes brain fog and increases the ability to concentrate

·        Reduces chest tightness and coughing

·        Reduces immune-mediated complications such as thrombosis, digestive issues, respiratory distress, and abnormal organ tests

·        Improves overall quality of life while maximizing the ability to perform daily tasks

 

*Programs, as mentioned in the sidenote above, have also been successful at putting Long COVID into complete remission.

 

COST

LDN is off patent which means you can typically get it from a compounding pharmacy for about $40 a month. 

 

SIDE EFFECTS

In double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, there was minimal difference in side effects between placebo and treatment groups. 

Many on LDN however reported vivid dreams which affected sleep but then subsided after the first 1-2 weeks.  I experienced these with each increase for about 5 days and then my sleep returned to my normal.

As with anything, start low, .5mg - 1.5mg, and go slow. 

 

THINGS TO CONSIDER

1.      While there are relatively no side effects, LDN does block opioid receptors.  So, pain drugs like Percocet, morphine or tramadol have potentially decreased effectiveness and should not be taken with LDN. 

2.      Patients with Hashimoto’s or Graves who are taking thyroid medicine should also take note.  LDN can drastically decrease inflammation, improve autoimmunity, thereby thyroid function.  If your thyroid starts to improve, the dose of medication that was helping maintain equilibrium suddenly becomes too much.  If this happens, the person will go into a hyperthyroid episode – feeling heat, insomnia, heart palpitations, etc.  

3.      People who have received organ transplants and who therefore are taking immunosuppressive medication on a permanent basis are cautioned against the use of LDN because it may act to counter the effect of those medications.

4.      LDN has also been found not to work as well unless underlying issues are also addressed.  It is not, nor is anything, a stand alone treatment.  Diet, gut imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and adrenal support all need to be considered. 

5.      Candida, an overgrowth of yeast in the gut and/or body is the most important factor that will block LDN from working to its fullest potential.  Conversely, candida can be an issue as a result of taking LDN.  LDN has a down regulating effect on the immune system and with this yeast and other opportunistic pathogens can thrive if not addressed.  A stool test to determine root cause issues (which I run), treating candida and other gut imbalances (which I do) and avoiding sugar (which I show you how to do) are all recommended. 




How Do I Take LDN?

LDN can be taken in the form of a compounded tablet, capsule, liquid, or transdermal formulation. Transdermal (skin) or sublingual formulations work best for those with liver issues. The transdermal formulation is also recommended for children with autism.

LDN is to be taken at night before bed at dosages between .5mg and 4.5mg. 




HOW DO I GET LDN?

1.      LDN must be prescribed by a physician, or naturopath, depending on your state.

2.      Agelessrx.com

·        This website enlists doctors to view potential recipients of LDN.  Visit the site, present your case with symptoms and diagnoses

and a doctor will review and write a prescription.

3.      Compounding Pharmacies That Ship:

 

Pharmacy & Phone

Belmar Pharmacy, Golden, CO 800-525-9473

The Canandaigua Medicine Shoppe, Canandaigua, NY 585-337-4300

CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy, Cinnaminson, NJ 844-822-7379

The Compounder, Aurora, IL 800-679-4667

McGuff Compounding Pharmacy, Santa Ana, CA 877-444-1133

Medicine Center Pharmacy, Canton, OH 330-455-5422

Metro Drugs Integrative Pharmacy, New York, NY 212-794-7200

Skip's Pharmacy, Deerfield Beach, FL 800-553-7429

Trinova Health, Tampa, FL 813-551-1165

Natural routes to assist the two things LDN does:

LDN should be used as a part of a protocol and not by itself.  Root causes also need to be addressed for LDN to reach its full potential and for the body to completely heal.   

Vitamin D and glutathione are both powerful T regulatory cell promoters.  However, most people with chronic issues are low in both and should be supplemented.  If you aren’t sleeping well, you are definitely low in glutathione.

Maintaining adequate levels of selenium, zinc and iodine is important for immune function.  People with thyroid autoimmunity are usually low in these.  Iodine should be tested however because too much can be just as bad as too little.

Probiotics, especially bacillus species like soil-based organisms, promote T-reg cell function. Butyrate, which is a short-chain fatty acid that’s produced by beneficial bacteria in the colon, improves T-reg cell function, so prebiotics can actually do that indirectly.  Research knows these gut issues are dysfunctional in anyone with chronic issues as well. 

Vitamin A is important for immune balance and can be supplemented with cod liver oil.  To bring down inflammation further, add supplements like curcumin and Boswellia which are COX inhibitors and selective kinase response modulators.   

Lastly, and definitely not least, is diet.  A general anti-inflammatory diet like Paleo or a more specific elimination like autoimmune protocol, can be important in very quickly bringing down the body’s total inflammatory load by removing inflammatory foods, regulating insulin and blood sugar levels, balancing hormones and obliterating nutrient deficiency.  

Yes, diet can do all of that!  Depending on how far down in your health you have traveled, will depend on whether or not diet alone can heal your body. 

 

LDN - THE MIRACLE DRUG?

although some people’s experience is nothing palpable, other’s is as close to miraculous as it gets.

 

People with MS, who were in wheelchairs, are now walking. Other people with food addictions have been able to overcome their addictions. People with cancer have been able to shrink tumors.  People with autoimmunity are in full remission. Ulcers, tumors and lesions completely disappearing within months of initiating LDN.

Dr. Mark Mandel

There is a lot of clinical data from my friends and colleagues who use low-dose naltrexone in their practices. Personally, I have seen people going into complete remissions with LDN. Where thyroid antibodies were once in the 1000+ IU/mL range, they went under 100 IU/mL with LDN. I have seen a large reduction in TPO antibodies and TG antibodies, as well as autoimmune symptoms, in about 40 percent of clients with Hashimoto’s who have tried LDN. Many times, people have been able to eliminate their symptoms and reduce their dosages of medications. Some people have even been able to get completely off their medications.

Dr. Izabella Wentz

 

 

Clearinghouse websites full of testimonials and research are

LDNResearchTrust.org and LowDoseNaltrexone.org

 

 Disclaimer: Information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any diet, supplementation or exercise program. Statements and opinions contained on this website and other related sources (blog and social media platforms) are provided as informative and educational tools only. Whole Body Health & Healing cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy or effectiveness of the information to your unique circumstance. 

 
Lauren Ponder
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