Intro 0s
- Methylene blue is a substance that can turn the mouth blue and has various mitochondrial benefits 5s.
- Dr. Scott Sherr is interested in learning more about methylene blue, including its use cases and mechanism of action 10s.
- The goal is to understand how methylene blue works, aligning with the channel's focus on explaining the mechanisms behind substances 19s.
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- It is suggested to try online grocery shopping with Thrive Market, as it can be a game-changer for those who have not tried it before 1m19s.
History of Methylene Blue 1m22s
- Methylene blue was first synthesized in the mid-1800s and initially used as a textile dye to color blue jeans 1m24s.
- High doses of methylene blue were found to be effective in killing malaria, earning it the name "Magic Bullet" due to its ability to target pathogens while leaving normal cells unharmed 1m46s.
- Before the development of antimicrobials, methylene blue was used in high doses as an antimicrobial agent, and it has been well-studied for its effectiveness in treating urinary tract infections, gram-negative bacteria, and fungal infections 2m4s.
- During World War II, pilots in the Pacific Theater took methylene blue to prevent fungal infections 2m21s.
- Methylene blue is a blue pigment that concentrates in urine, causing it to turn blue when taken orally, and at very high doses, it can also cause other secretions to turn blue 2m37s.
- With the introduction of antimicrobials in the 1950s, methylene blue fell out of favor due to its side effects, but it began to evolve outside of the antimicrobial world, first being used as an antipsychotic 3m10s.
- Methylene blue has the capacity to increase neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, and the first antipsychotic was derived from it 3m23s.
- Methylene blue was later used as a cellular stain in chemistry labs, and it has been found to concentrate in the mitochondria of cells, leading to interest in its effects on cellular function 3m48s.
Methylene Blue Benefits (Effect on Mitochondria) 4m4s
- Mitochondria are intricate organelles that help make energy, and they may have originated from a bacterial species millions of years ago 4m5s.
- Methylene blue increases energy and resilience by increasing the amount of ATP or energy that can be made in the mitochondria, and it also works as an antioxidant to mop up free electrons or reactive oxygen species 4m16s.
- Most compounds either increase energy production or antioxidant capacity, but methylene blue does both 4m39s.
- When energy is made, waste products such as water, carbon dioxide, and reactive oxygen species are also produced, which can cause stress on the system if there are too many 4m47s.
- Antioxidants like vitamin C, melatonin, and vitamin D help combat oxidative stress, but many people are depleted in these antioxidants, leading to too much oxidative stress 5m12s.
- Methylene blue can compensate for areas in the mitochondria where it's not working well and help make more energy, even if the body can't do it on its own 6m42s.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to symptoms in areas with high mitochondrial density, such as the brain, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle 6m12s.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is also linked to infertility, as the ovaries and sperm have the most mitochondria per cell and require efficient mitochondrial function to work properly 6m3s.
- Methylene blue can help increase energy production and neutralize the products of energy metabolism, potentially reducing inflammatory cascades 6m57s.
Potential Downsides? 7m14s
- A potential downside of taking methylene blue is the possibility of downregulating endogenous antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutases and glutathione, if exogenous antioxidants are added 7m17s.
- However, it is noted that 95% of the US population has metabolic dysfunction, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, primarily due to insulin resistance, drugs, toxins, and hyper stress 7m48s.
- As a result, methylene blue might be helpful in many cases where metabolic dysfunction is present, but not all cases 8m11s.
- Initially, while trying to support the mitochondria, it is ideal to have optimized levels of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants 8m20s.
- Taking too many antioxidants can cause depletion of the body's natural antioxidant capacity, but this will not happen if there is a deficiency and supplements are taken to address the need 8m35s.
- Methylene blue works like an adaptogen, helping to make more energy if needed, and it does not deplete the body's natural antioxidant capacity 8m46s.
Can Work Like Oxygen (use at altitude) 8m58s
- Methylene blue can help even metabolically active and healthy individuals by working like oxygen, particularly in situations where oxygen levels are low, such as at high altitudes or during long runs, by acting at the final site of the electron transport chain called complex 4 and allowing electrons to donate to it to maintain energy production 9m2s.
- Methylene blue can be beneficial for people traveling to high elevations or engaging in extreme activities at high elevations where there is a risk of hypoxia, as it can help maintain energy metabolism even with limited oxygen 9m31s.
- The mechanisms of methylene blue suggest that it may protect against hypoxia, although there is no research to confirm this, as it can help maintain energy production and reduce inflammation caused by hypoxia 9m53s.
- Methylene blue may also provide protection against the stress caused by ionizing radiation, such as during air travel, by maintaining energy production and reducing inflammation 10m12s.
- Air travel can be stressful due to the ionizing radiation at high altitudes, and methylene blue may help mitigate this stress, with some studies supporting its protective effects 10m27s.
- The cabin of an airplane is typically pressurized to an altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 feet, resulting in lower oxygen levels, around 14-16%, compared to sea level, which has 21% oxygen 10m40s.
- Living at high altitudes, such as in Colorado, can also result in lower oxygen levels, with 16% oxygen at 5,000 feet and around 13% oxygen at 8,000 feet 10m54s.
Why We Feel Bad After Flying 11m17s
- Many people experience feeling unwell after flying due to various factors, with hypoxia being a significant contributor, as it involves having less oxygen than the body is accustomed to, resulting in reduced energy production and increased oxidative stress and inflammation 11m17s.
- The decrease in oxygen levels also depresses the immune system, triggers a stress response, and leads to more inflammation 11m45s.
- Additional factors contributing to post-flight discomfort include ionizing radiation, changes in time zones and circadian rhythms, and the impact of travel on the gut 11m32s.
- People living at sea level are more severely affected by hypoxia when flying, as they experience a significant drop in oxygen levels from 21% at sea level to 13 or 14% at 8,000 ft 12m2s.
- In contrast, individuals living at higher elevations, such as Colorado at 5,000 ft, may experience less of a difference in oxygen levels when flying 11m54s.
- Methylene blue is used to help alleviate symptoms associated with flying, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy may also be beneficial for those who have access to it 12m11s.
- Effective jet lag protocols can help prevent or mitigate symptoms, and some protocols have been developed to address these issues 12m18s.
Epigenetic Effects of Living at Higher Elevations 12m30s
- Living at high altitudes, specifically at the "sweet spot" of around 4,000-5,000 feet, has been found to have epigenetic effects, including increased red blood cells and improved cardiovascular fitness 12m31s.
- People living at high altitudes often engage in physical activity, such as climbing hills and mountains, which contributes to their overall health and fitness 13m5s.
- The increased red blood cells in circulation at high altitudes compensate for the lower oxygen levels in the air, and the hormone EPO (erythropoietin) plays a role in this adaptation 13m28s.
- The concept of "altitude flexibility" is proposed, suggesting that individuals who live at high altitudes may be better adapted to tolerate fluctuations in oxygen levels and other environmental stressors 13m58s.
- Living at high altitudes can lead to a state of chronic stress, but the body can adapt to this stress over time, and the resting metabolic rate may increase to compensate for the metabolic stress 14m29s.
- The body can acclimatize to high altitudes, and after about 90 days, it can produce enough red blood cells to compensate for the metabolic stress 14m37s.
- Humans are highly adaptable to different environments, but modern lifestyles often involve rapid changes in altitude and oxygen levels, which can be challenging for the body to adapt to 14m49s.
- Methylene blue is mentioned as a potential tool to help compensate for the hypoxic stress associated with high-altitude living 15m22s.
Methlyene Blue & Metabolic Flexibility 15m33s
- Methylene blue may help with metabolic flexibility, which is the ability to switch between different energy sources, such as fat and carbohydrates, and is important for adapting to stress, like high altitude or intense exercise 15m33s.
- Metabolic flexibility is also important for athletes, especially those who are not fat-adapted, as it can help them perform better and avoid hitting a wall during long events like marathons or ultramarathons 16m17s.
- Methylene blue can help compensate for the stress of long-distance running and allow athletes to continue making energy even when they are depleted 16m43s.
- A case study found that an athlete who took 30-2 milligrams of methylene blue every four hours during an ultramarathon was able to beat their previous time by three hours 16m56s.
- Methylene blue may also help with endurance by allowing athletes to maintain aerobic metabolism for longer and delaying the shift to anaerobic metabolism 17m22s.
- Some individuals have reported that they can exercise for longer periods and maintain a higher heart rate when taking methylene blue 17m38s.
- Methylene blue may also have benefits for mood stabilization, although this is not fully explored in the provided text 17m44s.
Effect on Mood & Mental Health 17m46s
- Methylene blue can help improve mitochondrial function, which is often impaired in mental health disorders such as bipolar depression, schizophrenia, and other conditions with significant mitochondrial dysfunction components 17m47s.
- Methylene blue works as a mild monoamine oxidase inhibitor, preventing the breakdown of certain neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, which can lead to a mood boost 18m9s.
- Studies have shown benefits of methylene blue for depression and bipolar disorder at very low doses 18m33s.
- There are two types of doses for methylene blue: mitochondrial doses and infectious doses, and for chronic or supportive use, lower doses are recommended 18m40s.
- Lower doses of methylene blue can be supportive for mitochondrial function, which can be beneficial for chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmune problems, and long-lasting infectious symptoms 18m55s.
- Low doses of methylene blue can help reboot and regenerate mitochondria, and when combined with lifestyle, diet, behavior, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, can support mitochondrial health in the long term 19m12s.
Insulin Resistance 19m25s
- Methylene blue can help with insulin resistance by improving fuel utilization in the body, which is linked to better mitochondrial function 19m28s.
- Some patients take metformin, a medication that can make complex one in the mitochondria dysfunctional, but forces the body to make more mitochondria to compensate for the deficiency, resulting in increased insulin sensitivity 19m38s.
- However, metformin can cause fatigue, especially in active individuals, and deplete vitamins like B12 over time 20m2s.
- Methylene blue can compensate for the effects of metformin by bypassing blockages in the first complex of the electron transport chain and maintaining electron flow to produce energy 20m11s.
- Methylene blue can specifically compensate for damage to complex one and complex two, which are the main drivers of the electron transport chain and are often damaged by toxin exposure, infection, or medications like metformin 20m26s.
- Complex one and complex two rely on electrons from NAD and FAD, which are generated from the food we eat and the citric acid cycle 20m35s.
Dosing Strategies 20m55s
- Methylene blue dosing strategies depend on the individual's purpose for using it, with those using it for chronic inflammatory issues, such as chronic fatigue or brain fog, typically starting with low doses and gradually increasing every 3 to 5 days 21m15s.
- A common starting dose for chronic issues is around 4 or 8 milligrams, with the dose being increased until the individual starts feeling significantly better 21m25s.
- For performance-related uses, such as improving aerobic threshold, dosing strategies may involve testing different doses, such as 8, 16, or 32 milligrams, to determine the optimal dose 22m5s.
- Lower doses are typically used for chronic issues or to support mitochondrial function over the long term, while higher doses are used for acute activities, acute stress, or acute trauma 22m16s.
- Higher doses of methylene blue may be used in cases of acute infection, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or severe trauma, as it can help maintain energy production and prevent tissue damage 22m26s.
- Methylene blue is considered a safe drug, even at high doses, for short periods of time, making it a viable option for experimental or investigational use in certain situations 22m55s.
How to Take Methylene Blue 23m11s
- Methylene blue can be taken in capsule form, but it may get destroyed in the digestive system, which is why some people prefer to take it in a dissolvable lozenge form that bypasses digestion and gets into the bloodstream faster 23m12s.
- The dissolvable lozenge form can make the mouth blue, but it allows for faster absorption into the bloodstream, and almost 100% of the methylene blue is bioavailable, whether taken orally or sublingually 23m25s.
- Swallowing methylene blue is also effective, but it may work slower than dissolving it in the mouth, and some people prefer to swallow it to avoid having a blue mouth 23m45s.
- For people with chronic cognitive issues or brain fog, dissolving methylene blue in the mouth may be more beneficial than swallowing it 23m52s.
- Taking methylene blue on an empty stomach and eating 10-15 minutes later can help push it through the system faster and produce effects sooner 24m11s.
- Methylene blue can be transformative for managing stress, jet lag, and other stressful events, and it's often used to compensate for underlying issues rather than as a long-term solution 24m25s.
- The goal is to use methylene blue periodically, rather than daily, and to focus on optimizing mitochondrial function and gut health through foundational work, such as the Health Optimization Medicine and Practice framework 25m8s.
- In some cases, methylene blue may be started early in the treatment process to help patients feel better and make lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating well, which can be difficult when feeling unwell 25m23s.
Where to Find More of Dr. Sherr 26m0s
- Dr. Scott Sherr can be found mostly on Instagram at @DrScottSherr. 26m2s
- Transcriptions is a company that offers products in the methylene blue space and was one of the first companies to release a commercial methylene blue product in 2020. 26m9s
- When purchasing methylene blue products, it is essential to be cautious as many products can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. 26m17s
- It is not recommended to buy supplements on Amazon due to the risk of unknown and potentially contaminated products. 26m30s
- When exploring other sources for methylene blue products, it is crucial to exercise caution to avoid contaminated products. 26m34s
