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Compounds
Medications

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Potential as a Life Extension Drug

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), administered at 1.5-4.5 mg daily, triggers a fascinating biological paradox: temporarily blocking opioid receptors leads to increased endorphin production and reduced inflammation.

01

The Triple Threat: Mechanisms of Action

Reconstructed from the values stated in the source.
MechanismEffect
Opioid rebound↑endorphin 2-3×
TLR-4 antagonism↓neuroinflammation
Immune modulationbalanced T-cells
OGF-OGFr axiscell growth regulation
02

Research & Approval Stage

  • Off-label use of FDA-approved naltrexone
  • Small trials only
03

Current Clinical Applications

  • Fibromyalgia — Stanford study, 65% meaningful pain reduction (Younger 2014)
  • MS — QoL improvements (Turel 2015)
  • Crohn's — one trial, 89% remission/improvement
  • Long-COVID — early reports (Whitaker 2021)
04

The Longevity Connection

Reconstructed from the values stated in the source.
AreaEvidence Strength
Neuroinflammationmoderate
Immunosenescencepreliminary
Cancer risk / OGFvery preliminary
Chronic diseasegood for specific uses
Cellular senescencespeculative
05

Practical Implementation — Dosing

Reconstructed from the values stated in the source.
WeeksDose
Weeks 1-21.5mg at bedtime
Weeks 3-43mg
Week 5+4.5mg (most common maintenance)
06

Timing & Compounding

  • Some do well at 3mg or 1.5mg
  • Bedtime dosing
  • Immediate-release compounded (not slow-release)
07

Safety Profile

  • vivid dreams
  • mild initial insomnia
  • mild headache
  • rare temporary pain increase
08

Contraindications

  • Opioid medications (absolute)
  • Acute hepatitis / liver failure
  • Pregnancy / nursing
  • Untreated hypothyroidism
09

The Challenges

  • Limited research funding
  • Off-label ($30-60/month cash)
  • Compounding variability
  • Mechanism uncertainty
References
  1. 01Bolton et al. 2020
  2. 02Li, Younger & Raknes 2018
  3. 03Turel, Patten & Younger 2015
  4. 04Whitaker, Nalbandian & Younger 2021
  5. 05Younger et al. 2014

This profile is being expanded — additional sections from the source are still being added.

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