What Is Methylene Blue and Does it Promote Longevity?

After a viral video showed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. putting a mysterious blue liquid into a glass of water, social media users speculated that it was likely methylene blue — a synthetic dye with potential anti-aging effects.

Newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services RFK Jr. is known for his affinity for alternative health methods, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise when a viral video showed him injecting drops of a bright blue substance into his beverage last month.

The video, which has been viewed millions of times, prompted speculation about what the liquid might be. While RFK Jr. has yet to confirm what it was, experts have concluded that it was likely methylthioninium chloride, also known as methylene blue or MB.

MB is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acquired methemoglobinemia, a blood condition that affects how red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body. Most recently, it has been studied for its potential brain health and anti-aging benefits.

The circulation of the RFK Jr. video has left many people wondering about its longevity effects and whether they should add methylene blue to their anti-aging supplement regimen.

What research says about methylene blue

MB was first synthesized in 1876 by German chemist Heinrich Caro and began being used as an anti-malaria drug shortly after.

“Many consider it the first medication ever created,” says Sajad Zalzala, M.D., co-founder and medical director of AgelessRx. “It pre-dates the FDA.”

Over the years, MB has been used to treat urinary tract infections, carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning, septic shock, and even mood disorders.

More recently, Zalzala notes, some studies have been published to support its use to help reduce the severity of COVID-19, boost brain function and improve symptoms related to cognitive impairment, and support the mitochondria, which is responsible for generating the energy needed to power the cell.

In 2017, Kan Cao, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Maryland’s Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and a world-renowned expert on methylene blue for human aging, discovered MB as a super anti-oxidant that neutralizes free radicals in skin cells, as well as a UVA/UVB protector.

She also used MB in her research into Progeria, a rapid-aging childhood disease, because it can impact mitochondrial function and cellular DNA markers.

“MB delivered exactly what we had hoped for — a way to restore cellular health,” she tells Wellnesspulse.

The benefits of methylene blue

Emerging research shows that MB may have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, neuro protective, cardio protective, UV protective, and skin aging reversal properties, Cao says.

“Because of its capability to boost oxygen delivery throughout the body, many are starting to implement MB into their longevity routines to aid in mitochondrial support,” says Zalzala, “which has been shown to support lifespan and delay skin aging — among other benefits such as supported brain health and increased energy.”

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered a hallmark of aging, he notes, and plays a crucial role in age-related decline in cellular energy production, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation.

Additionally, the medication may support brain health and function by improving memory, reducing inflammation, and protecting against neurotoxicity.

MB can also treat infections and has been shown to be effective against pathogens and other bacteria while supporting ATP production — the energy needed by cells in the body to work properly, which has been shown to decrease fatigue and improve energy levels, Zalzala says.

“There is still so much to discover,” Cao adds. “MB’s neuro protective benefits could well become the basis of new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and neuro degenerative disease linked to aging.”

The risks of methylene blue

While MB may offer several benefits regarding longevity, it is still important to consult with a healthcare professional before trying a new supplement or medication.

“I do want to caution people not to follow the do-it-yourself approach seen on social media,” Cao says. “MB is a synthetic material that can have impurities generated during its synthesis.”

When prescribed by a physician, high-quality MB is generally safe at low doses, less than 50mg per day, Zalzala says. However, even at low doses, side effects can include gastrointestinal distress, restlessness, insomnia, headache, and dizziness.

At really high doses — above 7mg/kg or about 500mg in a 70kg human — he says there can be significant toxicity, including hemolysis (breaking down of the red blood cells).

Even at lower doses, however, some people should avoid MB altogether.

This includes:

• Those on medications that alter serotonin
• Those who have or are at risk of having bipolar disorder should use MB only under the guidance of a psychiatrist since MB could set someone off into a manic episode
• People who have G6PD Deficiency — a genetic mutation most commonly found in people of Mediterranean ancestry that is usually harmless but can cause hemolysis in the presence of certain drugs like MB.
• This with impaired liver or kidney function
• Those with Myasthenia Gravis
• And others

“Please be mindful when ingesting MB,” Cao says. “Although rated as a safe and essential medicine by WHO, dosage is critical. It is best to consult your physician on the proper dosage for your needs.”

Who should try methylene blue?

Several types of people might benefit from MB use as long as they don’t fall into any of the above categories, although you should always speak with your healthcare provider before doing so.

This includes:

• People with cognitive decline
• People looking for a “brain boost”
• People who have issues with energy production, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia
• People who have sleep issues
• People looking for extra protection from viral infections (such as when traveling in a plane) or help getting over one

“MB is interesting and somewhat unique in terms of regulation,” Zalzala notes. “It is technically an FDA-approved drug and should need a licensed medical prescriber's prescription in order to be prescribed for human use.”

However, it also has many non-medicinal uses, such as a blue dye or aquarium cleaning agent. Nearly all the vendors that sell it without a prescription have a large “for research purposes only” or “not for human use” disclaimer.

“If a person decides they want to try MB, they first need to make sure they don’t fall into one of the problematic categories listed above,” Zalzala says. “5mg is typically a very well-tolerated starting dose, and it should be taken in the morning or early afternoon (taking MB late in the day might cause sleep disturbance). I do not recommend taking it every day, but rather a few days of the week.”

Urine color can be an indicator of how much MB a person needs, he notes. If the urine remains yellowish or greenish after taking a dose, it could be an indication that the body used up all the MB and a higher dose might be needed. When the urine returns to normal color, that is usually an indication that a person can take another dose, he explains.

Younger people also usually need lower doses than older people, and urine tends to return to normal color faster in older patients.

“MB holds potential for improving brain health, energy levels, and overall cellular resilience, though more studies are needed to confirm its long-term benefits,” he says. “I, personally, look forward to more research being done on MB in the field of health, wellness, and optimization.”

It may also synergize with other interventions, such as red light therapy, exercise, and longevity therapies, such as rapamycin and metformin, while potentially improving resilience to environmental stressors, such as pollution.

“It is amazing how this incredibly versatile compound has the potential to impact our health, which greatly depends on healthy mitochondrial function and healthy cellular reproduction,” Cao says. “Our work on this core aspect of human health is opening the possibility for cellular repair, protection and longevity.”