Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a fascinating example of repurposing a drug. Naltrexone in high doses (50mg) is used to treat opioid addiction. However, at very low doses (typically 1.5-4.5mg), it has been found to have paradoxical effects, acting as a powerful immune modulator and anti-inflammatory agent. LDN works by briefly blocking the body's opioid receptors. The body responds to this blockade by upregulating its production of endorphins, our natural pain-killing and mood-elevating molecules. This surge in endorphins has a powerful balancing effect on the immune system. LDN is used off-label for a wide variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. By reducing chronic inflammation, one of the primary drivers of aging ("inflammaging"), LDN can have a profound impact on overall health and biological age, helping to calm a dysfunctional immune system and protect tissues from inflammatory damage.