All About Methylene Blue: Benefits, Side Effects, and Safe Usage Guide
- hadleyhenriette
- Jun 10
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Biohacking has some contradictions and ingesting a chemical dye in the name of health is one of the biggest. We're talking about methylene blue, a synthetic dye that is non-toxic at the right dose and a strong antioxidant and mitochondrial enhancer that helps improve cellular energy production and reduce oxidative stress.
Biohackers love methylene blue because of it's effect on the function of mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of your cells. Methylene blue also neutralizes harmful free radicals that contribute to aging and various diseases. Amazing, right? Yes, but it must be used with extreme caution because it is powerful stuff and dosage has a very narrow safe window.
But it might not stay a niche product for much longer as a much wider audience recently learned about methylene blue thanks to a viral video showing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. using it on a flight. In the video, he's adding drops to a glass of water like in the photo shown below. Health vloggers like Thomas DeLauer use it to enhance performance and take to ward off fatigue while traveling.
While it may be topical news now, methylene blue isn’t a new compound. It was first discovered by a German chemist in 1876. Initially used as a chemical dye for clothing, MB's antibacterial properties were eventually discovered.
It has since been used as a treatment for as a contrast dye for surgical diagnoses and medically for methemoglobinemia, UTIs, viruses, Bartonella, and off-label for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Methylene blue was also given to soldiers for malaria prevention during World War II. Unfortunately, one of its side effects is turning everything in its path blue, including your tongue and, later, your urine. These were not popular side effects with the troops and methylene blue was eventually phased out in the armed forces.
That's right, you will often see a blue or blue-green pee in your toilet bowl 12 or more hours after taking it. The tongue is typically blue for a few hours, but you can swallow the troche to avoid this.
At low doses, methylene blue is a powerful antioxidant that boosts ATP (cellular energy) production. It enhances cellular respiration and oxygen utilization, which is great for cognitive function. Additionally, it increases serotonin levels and possesses antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. It’s been credited with helping to reduce brain fog and improve overall mental clarity.
However, one must be very, very careful with it because methylene blue can quickly switch from friend to foe. From antioxidant to pro oxidant. All based on the dose and light exposure.
Here are the rules:
Dose matters! At low doses, methylene blue acts as an antioxidant, helping to reduce oxidative stress by supporting cellular energy production. However, at higher doses and especially when combined with red or near-infrared light, methylene blue can switch roles and become pro-oxidant. This means it can amplify the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause oxidative stress and potentially lead to inflammation or other issues, especially in sensitive individuals.
How much to start with? For mitochondrial and cognitive support, doses in the range of 0.5–2 mg per day are common. Higher doses (over 5 mg) can trigger oxidative stress in sensitive individuals or provoke microbial die-off. If you’re new to MB or sensitive, consider starting at 0.25–0.5 mg.
Know your source. Only pharmaceutical- or USP-grade methylene blue should be used. Industrial or aquarium-grade products may contain toxic contaminants like heavy metals. No bueno. We like Mitozen or Troscriptions premium troches that pair MB with other nootropics. Just know - it WILL turn your tongue blue for a few hours.
Methylene blue is a photosensitizer, meaning it makes cells more sensitive to light. When you take it and expose yourself to red light, methylene blue produces reactive oxygen species, which kills fungi, bacteria, and more. While beneficial in moderation, overdoing it may lead to inflammation, headaches, or mast cell flares. So be very cautious if pairing it with red light therapy.
Avoid if on SSRIs or MAO inhibitors. Methylene blue is sometimes used as an antidepressant because it is a reversible MAO-A inhibitor and can elevate serotonin levels. This can be dangerous if combined with other serotonergic drugs. Always check medication interactions first.
Support your detox pathways. Because MB may trigger some serious microbial die-off or increase ROS temporarily, it's wise to use binders, antioxidants (like vitamin C, glutathione, or NAC), and gentle detox strategies such as hydration, infrared saunas, or even coffee enemas, depending on tolerance.
Know your antioxidant status. Some people have high oxidative stress and methylene blue can tip them over the edge into an unsafe zone of very high oxidative stress. Reasons can include age, infections or genetic mutations, like G6PD, make it hard for them to clear excess oxidative stress and might wind up with direct harms from oxidative therapies (i.e. ozone, hyperbaric, and red light + methylene blue). You can get tested with a blood test if you suspect that you might not handle oxidative stress well.
Timing and frequency. Many people use MB once daily in the morning. Some cycle it (e.g., 5 days on, 2 off), while others use it situationally for brain fog or fatigue.
The first time I came across methylene blue was at a NOA AON event, a transformative meditation/breathwork/dance party event. At the beginning, they handed out little blue lozenges wrapped in brown paper. Methylene Blue. They instructed everyone to look into the sunset to "activate" it and the lovefest began. You can read about it here.
I've been using low doses of methylene blue troches from Mitozen that I buy at Centner Wellness (they should be refrigerated). I started with .05 and eventually, worked up to 1.5 and one day just tried 2.5 along with 20 minutes of red light exposure.
Unfortunately, this led to a case of hives as it was too much oxidative stress for my body. Stay tuned for a complete guide to doing exactly this—safely. But if you want to know what that will entail, see number six on the list ;)
We hope you enjoyed our article and usage guide on methylene blue discussing benefits, safe usage and side effects. If someone you know might benefit, please share!
In photodynamic therapy, we use methylene blue as a photosensitizer. This means it makes cells more sensitive to light. We apply it to the skin or inject it into tumors.
When exposed to red light, methylene blue produces reactive oxygen. This kills nearby cells. We use this method to treat:
The dose varies based on the specific use. We carefully control the light exposure to target only the affected areas.
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