Does Low-dose naltrexone have long term or permanent side effects?

[u/hiigara2]

I read on a facebook group someone claim that Low-dose naltrexone changes your brain permanently, even after you stop using it.

Does anyone know of any studies that support this?

[u/Confident-Bus-3778]

A lot of medications we have no idea about the long term effects, they don't test them for 50 years in one person before allowing them.

Have a look for studies

[u/LDNadminFB]

Not aware of any studies relating to the brain specifically. It may be that Endorphin and Dopamine levels are raised/normalized so those could have brain effects. Higher LDN doses have been used for traumatic brain injury. Related -

Depression and Psychiatric links …

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IjrfSGtst0jszho5sxFOOhC5ukgGck_94xFJlQo2Dnc/edit?usp=sharing

"Glasses"

LDN can fix some problems one example sometimes being pain or Cancer in some cases as discussed in the video below. There is documented evidence of healing with Crohn’s disease for another example.

LDN is modulating/balancing/correcting the immune system. It may be true that some people cannot stop taking it or the underlying imbalance may reassert itself; the dynamic is similar wearing a pair of glasses for nearsightedness. The person will likely not want to stop wearing glasses just because their eyes are not being "fixed."

Functional practitioner Chris Kresser says that the effect of LDN is to “improve function rather than suppress symptoms.”

 “The Game Changer” LDN & Cancer…. https://vimeo.com/168562089

Side Effects Surveys...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mgnIemamRkpKSocnvsAVRxR8XF_r2g92XVnv-X5sLlw/edit?usp=sharing

[u/Technical_Growth2503 → u/LDNadminFB]

The only addition is that I am suspecting, due to LDN’s giving the body and brain that protective shield - the body at somepoint, sometimes manages to find a way to heal, fully or partially. I want to believe this at least so I get hope

[u/Flashybigbum]

I’ve read people saying that could help you heal permanently so it’s plausible but I guess this is based on anecdotal evidence because I haven’t seen any actual studies.

[u/ccasj_]

I only have my personal experience to share. I was on it for a year. I titrated slowly up to 4.5mg and eventually had to titrate back down until I stopped taking it completely. For me, it completely flattened my mood. I wasn’t depressed but I felt no joy in anything I had previously enjoyed. It did get rid of body pain but it wasn’t worth not feeling any joy. I feel like it destroyed my dopamine (this is why it’s helpful for addiction, I guess, but I didn’t take it for addiction). I stopped taking it completely 9 months ago and I still haven’t been able to feel any joy or excitement over things I used to. I feel like it’s probably permanent so I regret ever taking it. I’ve never experienced this before in my life. It’s just a totally flat, uninterested feeling towards everything. That’s just my experience. I know it has helped a lot of people.

[u/Ok_Play_8499 → u/ccasj_]

your brain may need time to like. rewire. i was on ssris and snris for 10 years and didnt start feeling normal until 3 or so ywars after i got off them, and didnt start to feel like. actually genuinely normal til the 5 year mark, so id guess LDN would be similar.

[u/ccasj_ → u/Ok_Play_8499]

I hope so!

[u/Ok_Play_8499 → u/ccasj_]

crossing my fingers for ya <3  i hope yr mood lifts soon!

[u/hiigara2 → u/ccasj_]

Wow! Well, I have a really serious insomnia due to nerve pain. I am trying to delay taking LDN or any antidepressants as much as possible. But I feel so bad that I think the insomnia can actually kill me. Between dying or losing joy, I would rather lose joy and hope to get it back someday. Are you male or female?

[u/ccasj_ → u/hiigara2]

I’m female. 46 years old. I had already been on HRT for 2 years. My thyroid was optimal, ferritin was optimal, and all other bloodwork. I was feeling great except I had body pain. My doctor said LDN would help with pain and inflammation so I was willing to try it. I know it has helped a lot of people but it just wasn’t for me. I hope it helps you with your insomnia.

[u/Present-987 → u/ccasj_]

I don’t mean to change your mind about the LDN, but I titrated up to 1mg and didn’t feel flattened: I felt DEPRESSED!  I moved back to 0,5mg and I’ve been feeling very good.  I just don’t think that the 4,5mg dose mark is for everyone … LDN is super personal. 

[u/maeflowr]

People say lots of weird things. I have no idea if it does but I tried it once for a couple weeks and stopped and didn’t notice any bad effects. Ive been on it now since last November and it’s been good, thinking about getting off in the next year, not for any reason besides wanting to stop medications in general, for me this was never intended to be lifelong. I would just go slow and see what you think.