Low-dose naltrexone or LDN holds great promise for the millions of people around the world suffering from autoimmune diseases, central nervous system disorders, inflammatory diseases, viral diseases and some types of cancer.
The list of LDN’s benefits is long.
LDN acts as an immune system modifier, activating the body’s own natural defenses and believed to briefly obstruct the effects of brain endorphins (the brain’s natural painkillers) which are often associated with the pleasant feeling most of us get from exercise, for example. Sensing an endorphin deficit, the pituitary signals for increased production of endorphins, which in turn re-balances the immune system.
LDN offers protective benefits against neurodegenerative diseases, where chronic inflammation is often the underlying cause. It has antioxidant properties that can reduce the effects of free radicals throughout the body, thereby reducing chronic inflammation and disease progression. The body’s cells and systems then begin to work together to help the body heal itself and often times patients experience remission in signs and symptoms of their condition.
LDN is an especially affordable medication for patients without insurance. Most patients can afford the monthly cost to obtain it from a compounding pharmacy. On-patent medications for many diseases can be much more expensive.
LDN at lower doses exhibits almost no side effects and is safe for most patients.
LDN does not produce any euphoric effects and abuse of the medication has not been reported. There is also no evidence of dependence, with symptoms returning slowly to baseline after patient’s stop taking it.
LDN can also safely be taken with almost all medications, foods or supplements, but because it is an opiate antagonist it cannot be taken with any narcotic painkillers (opiates), and taking it with immunosuppressive drugs (like corticosteroids) may cause the drugs to “cancel out” each other’s effects, as LDN is an immuno-stimulant.