LDN ? Enlighten me on this stuff please..........

Yes, I'm so lazy to goggle this. So I figure someone can give me the straight basic facts on it and how it pertains to us here.

I see there are websites just about this stuff (big websites).

Also, I see its good for autoimmune issues and surprised I have not seen it mentioned on any thyroid websites (I've had autoimmune Hashimoto for more than a decade, maybe LDN could help this too).

Low Dose Naltrexone......hmm..........

Yes what happens is Naltrexone functions in the body as an opiate receptor antagonist, what this means is that it binds to the opiate receptors in the body but instead of activating them (Something that activates it would be an agonist, examples include the obvious opiate drugs ranging from codeine to morphine or even the body's own natural opiates which are known as endorphins) it simply binds to receptor site and doesn't activate them but blocks the body's natural endorphins or even opiate drugs from binding to these receptor sites.

What happens with LDN is that it is taken in a low dose so the binding only occurs for 2-4 hours, so they bind and block the body's natural endorphins from binding. The body responds to this lack of opiate stimulation by increasing the amount of endorphins. With 4.5 mg you can actually get your endorphin levels up 3 times the normal level. Your body will have this heightened endorphin level for the next day and they will be fully bindable because now the naltrexone is not bound to the receptor site.

Endorphins are important for mood, and good feelings in the body. But they are also involved in immune system communication. So the immune cells use endorphins to talk to each other. This improves their communication. Some describe it as "Turning the lights on for the immune system" so the immune system can make better clarity of where bacteria and viruses are in the body, and what is healthy body tissue.

So in essence it give a jump start or boost to the immune system while improving it's function.

Naltrexone is pretty harmless to the body especially when given at low doses. The only common side effect is it can impact your sleep and cause insomnia. This happened to me at 4.5 mg doses. I reduced down to 1.5 mg per night and I have no issues with my sleep at this lower dose. I tried the 3 mg and it impacted my sleep.

I've been taking ldn since May last year. I'm a happy customer. I don't know what effect it has on my immunity, but it has a positive effect on my pains, especially muscle pain.

I'm on 3,5mg for now, I'll increase the dosage when I feel it's needed.
I was out of naltrexone this week, and my pains are at least 50% up...

If you are on Facebook, you could join a group called 'Got Endorphins?' or 'LDN Research Trust - Low Dose Naltrexone'.

Girlie,
My dr did study opiate receptors when he was younger and told me that one's reaction to such medication is genetically determined.
He explained it like this: some people will never get the endorphine 'rush' after/while working out...

MarieLS

Yes it's available by Rx. That is how I get mine. Sometimes you will need to get it filled at a compounding pharmacy as they take the regular naltrexone pills of 50 mg and grind them down into powder to make the 1.5, 3, 4.5 or the highest I heard anyone take is at 6 mg. usually the dosages they made is between 1.5-5 mg though and every person has a sweet spot for the best available dose. That would be the maximum dose you can take without it affecting your sleep. Some people are able to slowly increase their doses ... Starting with 1.5 mg and the gradually increasing their dose each week or each month.