METHYLENE BLUE

IV THERAPY

What is Methylene Blue?

 

Methylene Blue (MB) is a bioactive compound with a long history of use in medicine, science, and laboratory settings.  Originally developed as a dye in the 19th century, it is now used in clinical environments for specific medical applications and in research for its unique cellular properties.

In wellness settings, Methylene Blue is used under medical supervision as part of individualized care plans focused on cellular support.

Click HERE to Review Safety Information

Potential Benefits of Methylene Blue IV Therapy*

 

Methylene Blue has been studied for its role in cellular processes, particularly those related to mitochondrial activity and oxidative balance.

Outline of a human brain, representing cognitive function, mental clarity, and neurological health.

1. Cognitive Function & Brain Health

  • Supports cellular energy production in neurons
  • May enhance memory, focus, and mental clarity
  • Shown to support neuroprotection in research studies
Line-art icon of a human head with a lotus flower inside, symbolizing mental wellness and balance.

2. Mood & Mental Well-Being

Stylized mitochondrion, representing cellular energy production, ATP synthesis, and metabolic function.

3. Cellular Energy & Longevity Support

  • Assists in ATP (energy) production at the cellular level
  • Supports healthy circulation
  • Shown in studies to improve metabolic function and skin health
Minimalist line-art icon of a serene human face, symbolizing anti-aging and skin health.

4. Anti-Aging & Longevity Support

  • Antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress

  • Supports healthy blood circulation

  • May aid in skin vitality and overall cellular health*

Minimalist line-art icon of a shield with a cross and surrounding virus-like elements, representing immune system protection.

5. Antimicrobial & Immune Support

  • Studied for its antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses
  • Historically used as a treatment for malaria and other infections
  • Potential applications in immune system support*

How Does Methylene Blue Work?

How Does Methylene Blue Work?

Methylene Blue works at a cellular level by improving mitochondrial respiration. Mitochondria, often called the “powerhouses” of our cells, are responsible for producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy our bodies rely on. Factors such as aging, oxidative stress, and environmental toxins can impair mitochondrial function. Methylene Blue has been studied for its ability to:

  • Act as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain

  • Improve cellular oxygen consumption

  • Reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals

  • Increase NAD/NADH ratio, supporting cellular metabolism

These mechanisms suggest Methylene Blue may play a supportive role in energy production, brain health, and cellular protection.*

Structural diagram of Methylthioninium Chloride (Methylene Blue), showing its chemical composition.
Hand holding strands of deep indigo-dyed textiles, illustrating the historical use of methylene blue in dyeing fabrics.

The History of Methylene Blue in Medicine

Methylene Blue has had a fascinating journey from industrial dye to groundbreaking medical discovery. Its versatility and therapeutic applications have made it a significant compound in medical history.

  • 1876 – First synthesized by German chemist Heinrich Caro as a synthetic textile dye, marking a significant advancement in organic chemistry.

  • 1891 – Paul Ehrlich, a pioneering scientist in chemotherapy, discovered Methylene Blue’s ability to stain and target microorganisms, leading to its use as one of the first synthetic drugs to treat malaria. This early success paved the way for the development of antimicrobial therapies.

  • Early 1900s – Used in bacterial and parasitic infections and as a diagnostic tool in medical and scientific research.

  • 1940s-1960s – Explored for its effects on psychiatric disorders. Studies suggested its potential as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which led to research into its antidepressant and mood-regulating properties. It was investigated for conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

  • 1960s-1980s – Discovered to have neuroprotective properties and was studied for its role in preserving cognitive function and mitigating oxidative stress in brain cells.

  • Present Day – Used in hospitals for methemoglobinemia (a condition affecting oxygen transport in the blood) and continues to be extensively researched for its applications in mitochondrial health, neuroprotection, and anti-aging. Scientists are also exploring its antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, with promising implications for functional medicine and longevity research.

Gloved hands holding a glass slide as blue liquid is applied, illustrating methylene blue's use in scientific and medical research.

Methylene Blue at iv&co

Dark blue ink dispersing in water, creating a swirling effect. A visually striking representation of Methylene Blue's distinctive color and fluid movement.

Experience Methylene Blue Therapy at iv&co

At iv&co, we believe in offering cutting-edge wellness therapies that are both research-backed and client-centered. Our Methylene Blue IV therapy is carefully formulated to support mitochondrial function, cognitive health, and overall vitality.

Unlike traditional supplementation, IV therapy delivers Methylene Blue directly into the bloodstream, allowing for enhanced bioavailability and rapid absorption. To maximize its benefits, we pair our Methylene Blue IV with high-dose Vitamin C, known for its synergistic effects on cellular health and antioxidant support.

these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  Individual results may vary.  This therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Important Considerations & Safety Precautions

Treatment eligibility is determined on an individual basis following medical screening
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Serotonin Syndrome & Safety Precautions

What You Need to Know:
Methylene Blue has been associated with a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome when combined with certain medications, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs. While the risk is low, it’s important to be aware and consult with your healthcare provider if you’re taking medications that affect serotonin levels.

Want to Learn More? (Click to expand)

What is Serotonin Syndrome?
Serotonin syndrome occurs when there’s an excessive buildup of serotonin in the body. Symptoms may include agitation, rapid heart rate, muscle rigidity, and nausea. Severe cases can be life-threatening, but this condition is preventable with proper screening and monitoring.

Medications That May Increase Risk:

  • SSRIs (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro)
  • SNRIs (e.g., Effexor, Cymbalta)
  • MAOIs (e.g., Nardil, Selegiline)
  • Other serotonergic agents: Trazodone, Mirtazapine, Buspirone, St. John’s Wort, and triptans for migraines

Our nursing team will carefully assess your medications and medical history to determine if Methylene Blue is appropriate for you.

Important Considerations & Safety Precautions

Before receiving Methylene Blue IV therapy, it’s essential to understand the potential risks and safety measures involved. While Methylene Blue offers numerous health benefits, transparency and safety are our top priorities.

Before considering Methylene Blue IV therapy, clients should be aware of the following precautions:

  • Contraindications: Methylene Blue is not recommended for individuals with:

    • G6PD deficiency due to the risk of hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown).
    • Pregnancy at any stage, particularly during the first trimester, due to potential fetal harm.
    • Those taking serotonergic medications (such as SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants) due to the risk of serotonin syndrome—a rare but serious condition.

  • Possible Side Effects:
    Common side effects may include temporary blue discoloration of urine, mild gastrointestinal discomfort, and potential skin staining at the injection site.

  • Monitoring:
    A licensed provider will review your medical history prior to treatment.  During administration, vital signs are monitored and patients are observed for any adverse reactions.

Consent and Responsibility

Prior to your session, you will be required to sign a detailed consent form that outlines the potential risks, contraindications, and your responsibilities. This ensures you are fully informed and confident in your decision.

Our team is dedicated to providing a safe and positive experience. If you have any questions about your suitability for Methylene Blue IV therapy, we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider before receiving treatment.

 

More Research on Methylene Blue

Curious to dive deeper into the science behind Methylene Blue? Ongoing research continues to explore its potential applications in neuroprotection, mitochondrial support, and longevity. We have compiled a collection of peer-reviewed studies, medical journal articles and more for those who want to explore the data firsthand.

Click Here to read our Blog Post on Methylene Blue
Click to View More Research on Methylene Blue

References

Bouillaud, F., Ransy, C., Moreau, M., Benhaim, J., Lombès, A., & Haouzi, P. (2022). Methylene blue induced O₂ consumption is not dependent on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation: Implications for salvage pathways during acute mitochondrial poisoning. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 304, 103939.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35777722/

Gonzalez-Lima, F., Auchère, F., & Kalidindi, A. (2015). Methylene blue and its beneficial impact on neurodegeneration and longevity. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 9, 179.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2015.00179/full

Poudel, S. B., Frikha-Benayed, D., Ruff, R. R., Yildirim, G., Dixit, M., Korstanje, R., Robinson, L., Miller, R. A., Harrison, D. E., Strong, J. R., Schaffler, M. B., & Yakar, S. (2024). Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction using methylene blue or mitoquinone to improve skeletal aging. Aging (Albany NY), 16(6), 4948–4964.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11006499/

Kayabaşı, Y., & Erbaş, O. (2020). Methylene blue and its importance in medicine. Demiroğlu Science University Florence Nightingale Journal of Medicine, 6(3), 151–158. https://www.journalmeddbu.com/full-text/213

Roy Choudhury, G., Winters, A., Rich, R. M., Ryou, M.-G., Gryczynski, Z., Yuan, F., Yang, S.-H., & Liu, R. (2015). Methylene blue protects astrocytes against glucose oxygen deprivation by improving cellular respiration. PLOS ONE, 10(4), e0123096. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0123096

Poteet, E., Winters, A., Yan, L.-J., Shufelt, K., Green, K. N., Simpkins, J. W., Wen, Y., & Yang, S.-H. (2012). Neuroprotective actions of methylene blue and its derivatives. PLoS ONE, 7(10), e48279. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0048279 

Gureev, A. P., Sadovnikova, I. S., & Popov, V. N. (2022). Molecular mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of methylene blue. Biochemistry (Moscow), 87(9), 940–956.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36180986/

Sloan, M. D. (2021). The Ultimate Guide to Methylene Blue: Remarkable Hope for Depression, COVID, AIDS & Other Viruses, Alzheimer’s, Autism, Cancer, Heart Disease, Cognitive Enhancement, and Numerous Other Conditions. Endalldisease Publishing.

Tucker, D., Lu, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2018). From mitochondrial function to neuroprotection—An emerging role for methylene blue. Molecular Neurobiology, 55(6), 5137–5153. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5826781/

Yang, S.-H., Li, W., Sumien, N., Forster, M., Simpkins, J. W., & Liu, R. (2015). Alternative mitochondrial electron transfer for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers: Methylene blue connects the dots. Progress in Neurobiology, 132, 68–79. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26603930/

Galvan, J., Borsoi, M. X., Julek, L., Bordin, D., Andreani Cabral, L. P., Pomini, M. C., & Teixeira Alves, F. B. (2021). Methylene blue for the treatment of health conditions: A scoping review. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 64, e21200266.https://www.scielo.br/j/babt/a/Wg76pfqfWjQtDrkRZ8bWFNp/?lang=en

Poudel, S. B., Frikha-Benayed, D., Ruff, R. R., Yildirim, G., Dixit, M., Korstanje, R., Robinson, L., Miller, R. A., Harrison, D. E., Strong, J. R., Schaffler, M. B., & Yakar, S. (2024). Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction using methylene blue or mitoquinone to improve skeletal aging. Aging (Albany NY), 16, 4948–4964. https://www.aging-us.com/article/205147/text

Xue, H., Thaivalappil, A., & Cao, K. (2021). The Potentials of Methylene Blue as an Anti-Aging Drug. Cells, 10(12), 3379 .https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/12/3379

Sváb, G., Kokas, M., Sipos, I., Ambrus, A., & Tretter, L. (2021). Methylene Blue Bridges the Inhibition and Produces Unusual Respiratory Changes in Complex III-Inhibited Mitochondria. Studies on Rats, Mice and Guinea Pigs. Antioxidants, 10(2), 305. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/2/305

 

Naylor, G. J., Smith, A. H., & Connelly, P. (1987). A controlled trial of methylene blue in severe depressive illness. Biological Psychiatry, 22(5), 657–659.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3555627/ 

 

Bojadzic, D., Alcazar, O., & Buchwald, P. (2021). Methylene blue inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 spike–ACE2 protein-protein interaction—a mechanism that can contribute to its antiviral activity against COVID-19. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 600372. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7838506/ 

 

Alamdari, D. H., Moghaddam, A. B., Amini, S., Keramati, M. R., Zarmehri, A. M., Alamdari, A. H., Damsaz, M., Banpour, H., Yarahmadi, A., & Koliakos, G. (2020). Application of methylene blue-vitamin C-N-acetyl cysteine for treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients: Report of a phase-I clinical trial. European Journal of Pharmacology, 885, 173494. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32828741/ 

 

Zhang, H., Cai, D., Bai, X., Li, Y., Jiang, Y., & Kang, Y. (2021). Methylene blue prevents osteoarthritis progression and relieves subchondral bone deterioration by targeting NADPH oxidase 2. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 42, 943–955. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41401-021-00646-z 

 

Auchter, A. M., Barrett, D. W., Monfils, M. H., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2020). Methylene blue preserves cytochrome oxidase activity and prevents neurodegeneration and memory impairment in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 14, 130. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32508596/ 

 

Yang, L., Youngblood, H., Wu, C., & Zhang, Q. (2020). Mitochondria as a target for neuroprotection: Role of methylene blue and photobiomodulation. Translational Neurodegeneration, 9, 19. https://translationalneurodegeneration.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40035-020-00197-z 

 

Lee, S. W., & Han, H. C. (2021). Methylene blue application to lessen pain: Its analgesic effect and mechanism. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 663650. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8165385/ 

 

Roldan, C. J., Rosenthal, D. I., Koyyalagunta, D., Feng, L., & Warner, K. (2023). Methylene blue for the treatment of radiation-induced oral mucositis during head and neck cancer treatment: An uncontrolled cohort. Cancers, 15(15), 3994. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10417523/ 

 

Rajbanshi, L. K., Bajracharya, A., Arjyal, B., & Devkota, D. (2023). Can use of intravenous methylene blue improve the hemodynamics and outcome of the patients with refractory septic shock? An observational study. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 27(9), 669-674. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10504645/ 

 

Xue, H., Thaivalappil, A., & Cao, K. (2021). The potentials of methylene blue as an anti-aging drug. Cells, 10(12), 3379.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8699482/ 

 

Windsor, W. J. (2022). Methylene blue: The little-known disinfectant. American Society for Microbiology. https://asm.org/Articles/2022/March/Methylene-Blue-The-Little-Known-Disinfectant

 

Bojadzic, D., Alcazar, O., & Buchwald, P. (2021). Methylene blue inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 spike-ACE2 protein-protein interaction—a mechanism that can contribute to its antiviral activity against COVID-19. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 600372. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33519460/ 

 

Zhao, L., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., Li, Y., & Shen, Y. (2023). Methylene blue has strong extracellular virucidal activity against a SARS-CoV-2-related pangolin coronavirus with no intracellular or in vivo efficacy. Pathogens, 13(11), 958. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/11/958 

 

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