
Vance πβ‘οΈ
@VanceE
The complete master's guide on Methylene Blue. Explaining how a fish tank cleaner can: - Improve cognition, memory, and focus - Repair Mitochondrial function - Kill viruses like Bird Flu - Kill MRSA (antibiotic resistant staph) - Aid in fighting cancer - Reverse skin aging And that is just scratching the surface.... (Not medical advice but I will be posting some life changing research)
Originally coming from the Indigo plant, Methylene Blue's first use was as a textile dye. The dye was then founded by scientists looking to stain cells for research. When they started staining cells they noticed it interacted with parasites, mainly Malaria, killing it on site. This led to it's first medical use as a Malaria medication. (Here is the man who synthesized MB, Heinrich Caro, with a bitchin mustache)
The chemical structure of Methylene Blue is fascinating. Almost perfectly symmetrical. The complete ingredient list goes as such. It contains the following: - Carbon (C): 16 atoms - Hydrogen (H): 18 atoms (plus 3 waters of hydration) - Chlorine (Cl): 1 atom - Nitrogen (N): 3 atoms - Sulfur (S): 1 atom - Water (HβO): 3 molecules in the hydrated form Phenothiazine Core Methylene Blue is a derivative of phenothiazine, an organic compound composed of a tricyclic structure containing sulfur and nitrogen atoms. This is the foundational structure upon which methylene blue is built. Dimethylamino Groups The chemical structure includes two dimethylamino groups (-N(CHβ)β) attached to the phenothiazine core, enhancing its chemical activity and ability to interact with biological systems. Chloride Ion (in Salt Form) Methylene Blue is commonly sold as its chloride salt, methylene blue trihydrate, to increase solubility in water. The chloride ion stabilizes the compound and allows for practical use in aqueous solutions. Color-Conferring Component The conjugated system of double bonds within the phenothiazine core and its side groups gives methylene blue its characteristic deep blue color.
Methemoglobinemia, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, and Malaria. The beginning uses before 1950 for Methylene Blue were broad (not as broad as today). By 1930, after successful use in treating schizophrenia, we identified MB for it's ability to temporarily and slightly inhibit the MAO enzyme. This led to it's research for psychiatric use.
Fast forward to WWI and it became the standard preventative treatment for Malaria in the United States Army and Navy. The Navy even made songs about the blue pee Methylene Blue would give them. "Even at the loo, we see, we pee, navy blue." The military eventually moved on due to complaints of blue toilets and taste. Now mother's of three take MB everyday without complaining so there is that.
Modern day, with the massive amount of research we have, Methylene Blue has been shown to treat or improve conditions from memory loss to chronic fatigue. So why isn't it more mainstream? Well you will come to find out it is impossible to patent MB. Which makes it extremely hard to monopolize and sell from a pharmaceutical stand point. This is why it has been replaced by patented compounds, backed by financial incentives.
So how can a blue dye improve so many areas of health, most that are not directly connected? The main mechanism behind Methylene Blue is it's antioxidant and redox capability in the main energy center of the body, the mitochondria. Methylene Blue will enter the mitochondria and aid in the process of ATP generation, the main energy currency of the body. A common ground for every biological process in the body.
The process of ATP generation involves the Electron Transport Chain transferring electrons between enzymes, harvesting their energy, and finally generating ATP. During this process some of the Electrons will slip from the process, combine with oxygen and form free radicals (mainly Superoxide). If you have mitochondrial disfunction you are more prone to a decrease in ATP generation and increase in electron slippage. AKA less energy and more damaging reactive oxygen species.
Methylene Blue will enter the mitochondria, sit with the Electron Transport Chain, and grab those slipped electrons. From there it will reshuttle the electrons back into the chain, or bypass most of the chain to aid in the formation of ATP synthase and increase mitochondrial water. Side note: There is a small debate going on whether mitochondrial water or ATP is the body's main energy currency.
This is huge reason why I believe Methylene Blue helps with cognition and memory. Lowering oxidative stress and improving energy function. The research for Alzheimer's is ongoing but I still don't believe we have any studies going on that do not combine MB with traditional treatment. Would love to see a standalone study on MB and Alzheimer's. Considering this paper shows increase in short term and long term memory.
Another paper highlighting this mechanism. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...
You will start to notice most research shows Methylene Blue in conjunction with photobiomodulation therapy. This is because some wave lengths of light, like near infrared, can stimulate the electron transport chain. This why MB is synergistic with light therapy. One improves the speed of ATP generation, and MB improves the efficacy of the process. AKA mix Methylene Blue and sunlight.
This is why I mixed Methylene Blue and Grass-Fed Tallow to make Meraki Moo. The sun stimulates the mitochondria in the skin and MB improves the process. This improves wrinkles, eczema, dark spots, blemishes (will touch on the antimicrobial effect of MB soon), and the antioxidant function of the skin. Oh and improves NRF2 signaling which is extremely beneficial for anti-aging effects. Check it out here: https://www.merakimedicinal.co...
Cancer research is showing cancer cells tend to have impaired oxidative phosphorylation. Cancer cells often adapt their metabolism to prioritize aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) even in the presence of oxygen, which leads to a reduction in oxidative phosphorylation as their primary energy source. Methylene Blue improving oxidative phosphorylation may be the link to MB helping with Cancer. Here is some research: https://bmccancer.biomedcentra... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a... https://www.sciencedirect.com/... https://www.sciencedirect.com/... Also one showing MB improving the side effects and efficacy of chemotherapy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...
Another mechanism that may be at play is Methylene Blue's ability to improve autophagy and mitophagy. This is the body's ability to take old cells, recycle the parts of it that still work, and discard the rest. Basically cleaning the body of cells that do not work well. Great study on this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a...
Antiviral benefits of Methylene Blue. Methylene Blue's antiviral effects come from it's ability to disrupt RNA signaling and enzyme function in a virus. Some of the viruses Methylene Blue is known to kill or stop replication in: HIV Hep B and C Coronaviruses Zika and other Flaviviruses They even treat blood donations with MB and light to sterilize the blood of viruses.
During the pandemic a small study was done and showed huge success in pulling patients off of respirators who were on their last leg. MB was mixed with Vitamin C and NAC. Every hospital had great success, except for the one hospital that did not have enough MB. Now it is recognized as a proper treatment for COVID, even though I was banned multiple times for stating this fact. (I still get banned for posting research consistently)
Skin benefits. Methylene Blue was first used in the oceans to protect coral reefs from UV damage. This sparked it's interest in skin use against UV damage and what do you know? It works. This research paper shows not only does it do that, it improves collagen production, hydration, wound healing, NRF2 expression, and more. Important note, it does not block UV rays, it helps your body use the UV rays while mitigating the oxidative stress they can cause. AKA more healing from the sun with less of the side effects. https://www.nature.com/article...
Methylene Blue improving detox. The biggest thing MB can do for immunity is improve glutathione recycling, having more of the body's master antioxidant (glutathione) available. It can also: - Lowers Oxidative Damage - Sparks PGC-1a - Activates Sirtuins in DNA - Improves NAD/NADH Ratio - Aid in heavy metal chelation (see pic) PGC-1a is a key factor here because it can signal mitochondrial biogenesis. This will increase athletic performance, longevity, boost the production of new mitochondria, and regulate inflammation.
Some other benefits to touch on. Methylene Blue aids in: - Pain management - Removing learned fears (aka trauma) - Improving eyesight - Improving benefits of a fast - Increasing athletic performance - Fixing mood disorders - Healing the brain after concussion - Helping with stoke victims and more. Here is a list of studies to check out: https://x.com/VanceE/status/17...
Important to note dosing of MB. 1-15mg - Low dose that acts as an antioxidant for the mitochondria. Most benefits, lowest risk. 15-70mg - Still considered a low dose but may be a more therapeutic dose for bacterial infections like Lyme's. 70mg+ - Medicinal dose. Reverses Methemoglobinemia. Interacts with blood oxygen. Risk for serotonin syndrome starts in combination with SSRI's or MAOI's. Loses antioxidant ability. I've personally gone up to 75mg doses and consistently prefer 5mg doses. Do not notice any more of an increase in energy or mood at the higher doses. Make sure to take breaks, finish a bottle then take a week off, finish a couple of bottles and take a couple of months off.
Topically you will struggle to hit anything more than a few milligrams without turning completely blue, so you're good to go there. I will drop it straight onto cuts or infections if needed. I won't post the famous pic but got a nasty staph infection in my armpit a year ago and it broke my fever and took it away within 2 days.
Quality. If they do not claim it's USP grade then it's allowed up to 7% of volume to be impurities and heavy metals (fish tank cleaner for example). Most "USP grade" Methylene Blue is imported from China or India, with sketchy testing, and no COA. I started @Merakimedicinal and we have the only USA sourced MB on the market with third party testing and a COA. It's listed right on our website. DO NOT TAKE MB THAT IS NOT USP GRADE. There are multiple sources that seem to have good quality MB so just be a stickler and ask for the tests. http://www.merakimedicinal.com
Some FAQ's and concerns I see: "Isn't it synthetic?" - Yes but so is our environment. We take on an unnatural amount of mitochondrial insults. We now have something that can act as a shield and healer from that burden. You're on a blue lit screen right now causing some damage. If you don't want to take anything synthetic I don't blame you but it doesn't discredit MB's effectiveness. "I saw a blue brain pic on google, does it stain organs?" - Temporarily. If your organ is alive then the blue fades away as your body metabolizes MB. This usually take a little longer than a day. The pic is from a man who was being treated for sepsis and had a huge IV dose right before he passed, from the sepsis. Some are brain dead so their brain might stay blue. "Why did you take a break from MB?" - Cycle everything. I am on a 7 month break so far from MB. MB improved my life so drastically and I still carry the cognitive changes it led to. I do notice my energy isn't as "full" without it but not like it was worse than before. I plan on restarting it with a plan and having testing in place to show the results. "MB made me tired or drained, why?" - It's antiparasitic and antimicrobial meaning it will kill off bad bacteria or parasites in the gut. This can lead to a herxheimer effect. Funny thing is there is a study on rats showing MB not killing good bacteria in the gut, only opportunistic bacteria, and they noted the rats got smarter after treatment. "Can I mix with antidepressants or any pharmaceuticals?" - The lowest recorded dose of MB involved in serotonin syndrome was around 70mg. It was mixed with SSRI's in a girl. To this day I have yet to see a MB death HOWEVER do not mix with anything unless under strict supervision from a competent medical professional. I also double down on the competent part. Some aren't. "Will it stain teeth?" - Fake teeth will stain, you can mix MB with OJ to neutralize the color (from the vitamin c). If not a small amount of MB in a decent amount of water will stop it from happening. It will stain surfaces for a while but the color does eventually fade.
Appreciate you making it this far, if you want to see how MB saved my life after my professional MMA debut where I got my face shattered and the worst concussion of my life check it out here: https://www.merakimedicinal.co...