EP 95: Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) - What When Why How

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses the use of low dose naltrexone (LDN) as a treatment for various conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases. LDN has been shown to reduce symptom severity in conditions like fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain syndrome. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and has neuroprotective effects. Dr. Tassone explains how LDN works, the dosing, and the potential side effects. He also mentions the LDN Research Trust as a resource for more information. LDN is being used in various medical fields, including women's health, and can be prescribed by doctors with a functional or integrated medicine background.

Episode Highlights
- Low dose naltrexone (LDN) has been shown to reduce symptom severity in various conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases.
- LDN acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and has neuroprotective effects.
- The dosing of LDN is much lower than the typical opioid dosage and can vary based on the patient's sensitivity.
- LDN is well-tolerated and has minimal side effects, with the most common being stimulation and vivid dreams.
- LDN is being used in various medical fields, including women's health, and can be prescribed by doctors with a functional or integrated medicine background.

Resources:

Medical Disclaimer
This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.

[deborah]

You never offend Dr Tassone.. you are real and have helped and continue to help many women on this crazy menopause journey 🙏❤️

[AnimaPerdida-rwpu]

Than you for talking again on LDN, I'm a nurse and have take to peers, like me, they had no idea about this use an an anti-inflammatory

[elainethomas]

Today was a fun and informative episode! Loved it!!!!🤩

[chestnutmair]

It's been a life saver for my Long Haul covid symptoms.

[judiprn]

Dr.T.I love your teaching, , you are great !! Can definitely tell you are sensitive to your patient's because you talk in a way females can immediately connect.!❤

[CheyandMoby]

My understanding is that fibromyalgia research is starting to lean back the other way again towards a belief that FMS does in fact have an autoimmune component.
LDN is a great topic, thanks for the video!

[NancyW]

I take LDN, 4 mg. I'm really lucky that I have a GYN here in the greater St. Louis area who prescribed this to me and has a general holistic approach. She also, based on experimenting on herself about 25 years ago, promotes the use of bioidentical hormone pellets, which for her, had an immediate positive result, and so then offered it to her patients. I've been on pellets, estradiol and testosterone since 2002 and have done wonderfully.
I have Hashimotos which is why I'm on LDN. My GYN has also written a couple of books on the importance of testosterone for women.
I've only recently discovered this holistic GYN here, and so appreciate everything I've had a chance to listen to!

[presouz]

I started LDN April 2, 2011. I take it for my fibromyalgia I did the titration. I started with 1/2 mg worked up to a milligram and then a milligram and a half and so on and so forth until I got to 3.0 That was too much for me so I cut it back to 2.5 and I've been at 2.5 mg for all this time. It's my belief from the day I started it until today that it is an immune modulator. and it's a grassroots because no doctors is going to tell you about it unless they're great like this one

[G.G.GG]

Just a word of caution: a few years back after seeing so many folks raving about LDN I talked with my doc and he prescribed a very low dose, with plans to increase. I had trouble tolerating it but was told that was normal, just keep taking it. But it sent me into Afib, which since that time gave me plenty of trouble, surgery, enlarged heart. I have other issues, including autoimmune and metabolic issues, so the cause probably wasn't all LDN but definitely a factor. I'm just saying, if it's making you feel awful, have a serious talk with your doctor and honor your own intuition.

[WilliamsPinch]

It’s readily available at Kroger pharmacies now. Thanks for this chunk of info. My Dr prescribed for weight loss for me since I only want to drop 20lbs and he doesn’t want to jump to GLP1 yet.

[boofamaurice]

Im on LDN for hashimotos. It's been lifechanging. Thanks for sharing.

[wholisticbalance]

I sure am grateful for LDN! Been on it for years at 0.5mg. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach. It has helped my pain and long haul CV as well!

[margiegreen]

I use LDN for trigeminal neuralgia. It has taken the edge off the excrutiating pain.

[xokissmekatexo]

Interesting comment regarding exercise. I have MS, tried LDN, didn’t really think much about it, can’t say it did anything for me overall but I do feel remarkably better with consistent exercise (biking + yoga).

[lauriesherman]

Been on LDN 7.5 mg for my UC for about 1 year. It’s been amazing and shocking how well it works. My functional medicine doc suggested it and it’s been great. I used a compounding pharm. My “regular” doc thought my functional medicine doc was a “quack” ..typical. I see my functional meds doc now…yes, it is very activating in the beginning, but about a week or so, that resolves…

[joannek]

Question…when you comment that it can be stimulating, what exactly does that mean? Energizing? My MD is thinking about using this with me and I already have tons of anxiety…don’t need it to be kicked up a few notches.

[wagwag]

I compound it myself. It comes in a 50 mg. tab. Mix that with 50 ml. of distilled water and let dissolve. Use a syringe type dropper to measure to 4.5 mg and put in mouth. ( I started out with .5 and worked up to 4.5 gradually.) I've been taking it for almost 10 years. Prescribed by my immunologist.

[tessmoore]

Its used for many autoimmune issues, Sjogrens, Myocitis, etc. Find a Functional Dr.

[twJ]

Thank you Dr. T. !!!! How receptive are health insurance providers approving this med? Sorry, you answered my qs in the video:)

[blakemoore]

What are your thoughts with using LDN for anxiety & depression?