No, 'methylene blue' is not a brain booster

The dye isn’t the health hack it’s being touted as

Wellness fanatics are selling a blue prescription-only dye as the trick to boosting your brain health. Misuse of the substance can actually cause serious health issues.

Methylene blue is not approved in Australia for cancer prevention or cognitive enhancement. It is a Schedule 4 prescription medicine and should only be used under medical supervision.

Remember the blue dye you used to dye onion cell slides in high school biology? Wellness fanatics are consuming it in the hopes it will improve multiple aspects of their health – it won’t.

Methylene blue is a synthetic dye originally used to colour fabrics. It’s since been found to have several uses in medicine, but those obsessed with biohacking are convinced it could have additional benefits through off-label use of the prescribed substance, despite virtually no evidence. 

Methylene blue is not approved in Australia as a supplement for cognitive or anti-aging purposes.

What are people claiming the blue dye can do? 

As with several controversial (and outlandish) wellness ‘hacking’ products, Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson have been linked to its misuse. Both have publicly promoted methylene blue for unsupported health benefits — including cancer prevention and boosting mitochondria. These claims have no basis in established medical research and are not backed by clinical trials in humans. In Australia, such uses are not approved, and promoting them could be dangerous.

Curiosity piqued after RFK Jr was seen adding blue liquid to a drink while on a plane, leaving many assuming it to be the dye. Though he has never endorsed the use of the substance. 

Some proponents claim the Schedule 4 substance is able to boost cognitive function, energy, memory and focus. The TGA has not evaluated methylene blue for any health claims made in wellness circles.

Needless to say, the current research definitely is not strong enough to inform people’s health decisions. Image: iStock

The dye’s effect on the brain is being researched, but the majority of these claims are coming from studies involving rodents, including one study that suggested rats’ memory and learning could possibly be improved after being given the substance. Another study suggested the dye could protect their brains against injury. These results are not reliably translatable to humans and do not support its use outside of controlled medical settings.

There have been some clinical trials looking into whether methylene blue could have an impact on human brains, but the test groups were extremely small, and results were inconclusive, so needless to say, the current research definitely is not strong enough to inform people’s health decisions. 

What does methylene blue actually do? 

One of the first synthetic drugs used in medicine, methylene blue can be used to treat a malaria-causing parasite, and to test the safety of unpasteurised milk. 

Today, it’s used to stain bacteria to make them easy to identify and stain tissue during surgery. Image:Pexels

Today, it’s used to stain bacteria to make them easy to identify and stain tissue during surgery. 

The blue substance is also used in patients with methemoglobinemia, a rare blood disorder that results in not enough oxygen being delivered to cells. Methylene blue is administered by a medical professional to restore hemoglobin’s function.

Are there risks associated with methylene blue? 

Methylene blue can only be used in Australia under medical supervision and with a prescription. 

Side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, sensitivity to light, dilated pupils and pain when urinating. Image: Pexels

When used as directed, it is generally safe, but misuse can result in serious health complications. 

Side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, sensitivity to light, dilated pupils and pain when urinating

Some patients may also experience chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure or anaemia, in which case, they will need urgent medical attention. 

There can be unwanted reactions between the drug and some painkillers or antibiotics too. Image: iStock

The dye can interact with other medications, including some that are prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. There’s a risk of developing serotonin syndrome - a condition caused by high levels of the neurotransmitter, which can lead to muscle spasms, sweating, a rapid heart rate, seizures or fainting. 

There can be unwanted reactions between the drug and some painkillers or antibiotics too.

Allergic reactions are also possible. 

So no, methylene blue is not the brain booster it’s being touted as online.

Originally published as No, 'methylene blue' is not a brain booster