Low dose naltrexone has recently attracted attention as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases, neurological conditions, cancer and some ailments. Naltrexone is a vague antagonist, meaning that it blocks io pioid receptors in the brain and thus Alcohol eliminates the feeling of pleasure from drinking, because our endocrine opioids (endorphins) cannot bind to receptors. But when used in very small doses (less than 1-10 of the usual dose) neltrexone can be used to stimulate the release of endorphins.
History
Low-dose neltrexone was initiated by neurologist Bernard Bihari in the early 1980s, while he was studying drugs used for drug and alcohol withdrawal. He found that very low doses of naltrexone (initially 3 mg) taken at bedtime only temporarily blocked the opioid receptors, which stimulated the body to produce more of its endocrine opioids and produced no side effects.
Bihari tried LDN as a treatment for HIV / AIDS and multiple sclerosis, two conditions that have been shown to be associated with low levels of beta endorphins, one of the most important endogenous opioids. Some of its AIDS patients have twice the blood level of beta endorphins when using low-dose neltrexone.
Patients also experienced marked clinical improvement. The symptoms of MS (especially fatigue) were relieved and the progression of the disease seems to have stalled. Most patients have never experienced a single MS attack after initiating low-dose neltrexone. Viral counts of HIV-infected patients were radically lowered and then their CD4 counts continued. The result was a reduction in opportunistic infections and AIDS-related contamination.
Later development
Encouraged by its success, Bihari and other doctors began trying LDN for other conditions, such as other autoimmune diseases and cancer, often with good results. The support of the patient community has been overwhelming. Patients with MS raised money for clinical trials and LDN. There have also been three conferences and a fourth is scheduled for October 2008.
A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that 89% of patients with Crohn’s disease improved on LDN and 67% had complete remission. Clinical trials are currently underway for multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, autism, fibromyalgia, pancreatic cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head structure (head and neck cancer). A large HIV / AIDS study is also underway in Mali, West Africa.
Diseases that can be treated with LDN
LDN has been used successfully to treat the following conditions:
Autoimmune diseases
- Multiple sclerosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE / LED)
- Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Pemphigoid
- sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- Crohn’s disease
- Intestinal ulcers
- celiac disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Wagner’s granulomatosis
- Transverse myelitis
Cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Breast disease
- Carcinoid tumor
- Colorectal cancer
- In glioblastoma
- Liver cancer
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSLC)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Lymphoma (both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
- Melanoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Neuroblast oma ma
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Throat cancer
- Cervical cancer
Other diseases
- HIV / AIDS
- Hepatitis c
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) / primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
- autism
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Illness of tremor
- Beheset’s disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema)
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS / ME)
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)
LDN is probably my e.g. Myasthenia gravis, antiphospholipid syndrome / Hughes syndrome, narcolepsy (possibly autoimmune condition), interstitial cystitis, chronic lum disease / post lum syndrome, acne, rosacea, even chronic ataxia. ), Cluster headaches, schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is said to be helpful in preventing insomnia and migraine.
The way to take action
Endorphins are often associated with a pleasant feeling, e.g. From exercise, but it’s more than just that. Beta endorphins and the encephalin obtained, other io peoid peptides produced by the body, have an effect on the immune system. Numerous animal studies have shown that the encephalin found acts as an anti-cancer agent. Beta endorphin levels are high for HIV / AIDS, many autoimmune conditions and e.g. Migraine has been shown to be low.
Immune diseases have traditionally been seen as a manifestation of an overactive immune system and are usually treated with immunosuppressants, but more and more data is emerging suggesting that autoimmune conditions may in fact be forms of the immune system, explains E.M. Why work for them.
Clinical effects
In most autoimmune diseases the progression of the disease stops. Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, muscle weakness, and cognitive problems often go away. In degenerative conditions such as ALS and Alzheimer’s the progression of the disease slows down. Lipodystrophy caused by antiretroviral (HIV) drugs usually improves significantly.
Bihari states that cancer growth occurs in about 50% of patients with stunted cancer. Some of these patients show objective signs of tumor contraction. Some patients who have been considered terminal, with little time left, are still alive and doing well years later, such as those with pancreatic cancer (a terminal cancer) whose case was published in Integrative Cancer Therapy.
According to Bihari, LDN works best for the following cancers: multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer (including pancreatitis) and small cell lung cancer. This is not to say that cancer patients should take their current treatment, but that LDN can be combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some patients simply undergo surgery or are not considered to benefit from conventional treatment, so they will be a good candidate for LDN.
How it is used
LDN is taken every night between 9pm and 3pm, as the body produces most of its endorphins in the early morning hours. There are usually no side effects. Some people have trouble sleeping during the first week. Nausea, a feeling of “high”, gas and bloating and loss of appetite can occur early and usually go away in a few days. MS can worsen transiently in patients with spasticity. It can take anywhere from a day to a few months to see an improvement.
LDN can be safely taken with all other drugs, foods, or supplements, but because it is a vague antagonist, it cannot be combined with any drug, including tramadol, opioids, and can be combined with immunosuppressive drugs (such as corticosteroids). Is. To “cancel” each other’s effects, as LDN is an immune system. The only contraindication is a posterior organ transplant, as taking an immunostimulant can cause graft rejection.
To be paid by the compounding pharmacy, any doctor can prescribe LDN as an “X Tempor” prescription. Some people use foreign pharmacies, as it is legal in most countries to order medicines from abroad with a valid prescription. LDN can be formulated as capsules or liquids, but liquids have to be kept in the refrigerator and are less convenient when traveling. It is recommended that calcium carbonate not be used as a supplement for tablets.
The recommended dose is 4.5 mg, but some people, especially those who are very thin and have severe MS, take only 3 mg. Often prescriptions are written for 1.5 mg capsules so the patient can try taking two or three at a time. LDNs are also relatively inexpensive, usually costing between $ 15 and $ 40 a month.
Discussion about this post