LDN Heals IBD

New evidence just published found Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) was helpful in inflammatory bowel disease. Naltrexone is an antidote or blocking agent to opiates (like morphine). In low doses it has shown anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cancer properties, and anti-pain properties. It is being used to treat fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis. It is tangentially notable as a nod to homeopathic principles that morphine given in ultra-low doses actually increases pain. Inflammatory bowel disease is mainly comprised of Crohn’s disease and ulceratice colitis. Diarrhea, cramping and even bleeding can result. In some unfortunate people no conventional remedies calm the inflammation down.

LDN

For 12 weeks patients who were not responding to conventional treatment were treated with LDN. All responded with 1/4 going into remission. The rest had significant improvement of their disease. Inflammatory bowel disease has a link to opiate receptors- which LDN targets. Immune cells tend to overexpress opiate receptors and LDN has been shown in animal models to decrease inflammatory markers- a good sign it should have effect in IBD. 

The results of this trial showed increased remissions but the researchers noted the response of intestinal wall cell cultures to heal wounds was improved in the presence of LDN. 

The Bottom Line

Low Dose Naltrexone has accumulating evidence that it is of general medical use. Like other homeopathic medications there are few side effects to worry about. In my patient populations occasionally I see vivid dreams, insomnia, or headaches at the higher end of dosing. These can be avoided by lower dosing if poorly tolerated. When examining the risks of the other medications used for IBD the side effect profile is typically much greater. These facts alone make LDN a logical medication to try for many people, especially for those with inflammatory bowel disease that is resistant to conventional treatments.