Autoimmune Disease Treatment

What is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)?

• Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist medication which means it blocks the opioid receptors in your brain from receiving endorphins. Endorphins are your body’s natural “feel good” hormones.
• Naltrexone in high doses (50 – 100 mg) is used for opioid addiction as it successfully blocks the euphoric effects of opioids by blocking the endorphins.
• In the mid-1980’s, a New York City physician, Dr. Bernard Bihari, discovered that smaller dose of Naltrexone (0.5mg to 4.5mg) had a positive effect on the body’s immune system with his HIV patients.
• This was the beginning of the discovery that that low doses of naltrexone are beneficial to patients with many types of autoimmune diseases as it helps modulate the immune system and reduces inflammation resulting in improvement of disease symptoms.

How does Low Dose Naltrexone work?

Low Dose Naltrexone works on two areas:

Since it blocks opioid receptors, the body is tricked into thinking endorphin levels are low which results in an increase in endorphin production. Endorphins enhance the body’s immune function and reduces pain.

It also binds and blocks Toll-like Receptors, which release inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation.

What are the side effects of Low Dose Naltrexone?

• Low Dose Naltrexone is generally very well tolerated and has very few side effects.
• Some of the possible side effects include fatigue, insomnia, vivid dreams, loss of appetite, nausea, headaches, mood swings.
• To lessen or eliminate possible side effects, the dose is gradually increased. It is also recommended to take in the morning to eliminate the side effect of insomnia and vivid dreams.

How long does it take for Low Dose Naltrexone to work?

• It can take a few weeks to several months depending on the patient and the condition/disease the patient has.
• For some conditions, Low Dose Naltrexone is often considered an adjunct to other therapies. For example, you may not be able to get off the medication you take for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but you may need less.
• Ultimately, when you reduce inflammation and increase the effectiveness of your immune system, you will have improvements in your condition or relief from pain. You can take LDN long term and there is no risk for addiction.

Why has my doctor not suggested Low Dose Naltrexone?

Most doctors in traditional medicine only know about the use of naltrexone for opioid addiction. They are unaware mainly because Low Dose Naltrexone is an inexpensive, generic medication, so no drug company is interested in funding research or promoting it due to the low revenue. There has been a lot of independent research, however, and you can find information on research and other general information on: https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org

Why has my doctor not suggested Low Dose Naltrexone?

A sample list of conditions LDN is used for: