Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for Longevity & Healthy Aging

October 8, 2025/Adrian Blackwell

Naltrexone is formulated in 50-milligram tablets used to reduce cravings for alcohol and opioids. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is about one-tenth of that. The most common dose currently in use is 4.5 mg, usually taken at night. Some doctors prefer to start even lower, around 0.1 to 1.5 mg, and increase gradually.

At these small amounts, naltrexone shows properties that differ from the standard 50 milligram tablet. Researchers have described anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune-modulating effects that are not seen at higher doses.

Today, low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is being explored as a tool in longevity science. In 2024, researchers showed that LDN increased both lifespan and healthspan in C. elegans, raising interest in its role in healthy aging for humans.

🔑 Key takeaways

➤ Case studies and small trials suggest LDN may ease autoimmune disorders, improving pain, fatigue, mobility, and quality of life in conditions that often resist standard therapies.

➤ Its impact on brain and cognitive health is a growing area of interest, with early signs of benefit in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, mood regulation, and even Alzheimer’s disease models.

➤ LDN may influence metabolic pathways linked to aging, showing potential to reduce insulin resistance and support healthier weight control, though clinical data remain limited.

➤ Cancer research points to LDN’s unique mechanism via the opioid growth factor pathway, suggesting it may slow tumor activity in ways that differ from traditional chemotherapy.

➤ LDN is generally well tolerated, with side effects like vivid dreams or mild nausea that usually fade, making it an attractive adjunct compared to many conventional drugs.

How does low-dose naltrexone (LDN) work?

Medications for alcohol and opioid problems aim to reduce the “reward” or euphoria that these substances usually trigger. Naltrexone does this by blocking the mu-opioid receptor in the brain, which is the main pathway causing intoxication or physical dependence from opioids like:

  • Heroin
  • Oxycodone
  • Hydrocodone

It also has weaker effects on the kappa and delta-opioid receptors.

With alcohol, it seems to change the brain’s stress and reward pathways (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), which helps reduce cravings and the urge to drink.

However, naltrexone doesn’t follow a simple “more drug = more effect” pattern. Instead, it fits what’s called the hormetic principle. This means that depending on the dose, the drug can have very different, sometimes opposite effects.

At low doses, naltrexone calms brain inflammation, boosts natural endorphins, and may influence immunity and cancer biology. This mix of effects is why it’s being explored as a therapy for conditions far beyond addiction.

What is naltrexone used for?

The FDA has approved naltrexone for:

  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Opioid use disorder
  • Obesity (only when combined with bupropion in a fixed-dose pill)

Evidence supports its effectiveness in both alcohol and opioid dependence.

In a 24-week study of people with a history of opioid dependence, those receiving extended-release naltrexone stayed relapse-free for about 10.5 weeks compared to 5 weeks among those who only received counseling and referrals to community treatment programs. Relapse rates were lower in the naltrexone group (43% vs. 64%), and opioid-free urine tests were more common (74% vs. 56%).

For alcohol dependence, a meta-analysis found that oral naltrexone at 50 mg daily reduced both relapse to any drinking and episodes of heavy drinking. Its effectiveness was found to be comparable to acamprosate, another first-line medication for alcohol use disorder.

Beyond these approved uses, doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label for conditions like cholestatic pruritus, a type of severe itching linked to liver disease.

Ongoing studies are also exploring whether it could help people with stimulant use disorders, especially those who use multiple drugs like opioids, heroin, and amphetamines.

LDN, on the other hand, is not FDA-approved to treat any condition.

What are the benefits of LDN for longevity?

A growing amount of evidence indicates that LDN could serve as a useful tool for promoting healthy aging. These include:

  1. Reducing long-term inflammation

Inflammation can be both helpful and harmful. In the short term, it protects the body and helps you recover from infections or injuries. But when inflammation lingers for too long, a process sometimes called “inflammaging,” it can drive serious health problems like:

  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Autoimmune conditions

High levels of inflammation in the body, measured by markers such as CRP and IL-6, are linked to a shorter lifespan and greater risk of disease. Because LDN has been shown to lower these markers, it’s being studied as a way to support healthier aging and a longer healthspan.

One case report describes a 71-year-old woman with Hailey-Hailey disease, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, who did not improve with standard topical steroid treatment. She was then started on LDN, 3 mg nightly. Her skin lesions began healing, and after 5 months, she had no remaining lesions.

The authors also identified 35 additional cases of Hailey-Hailey disease treated with LDN. Most showed good results, and no major side effects were reported.

  1. Managing autoimmune conditions

LDN has been suggested to improve overall health and psychological well-being in people with autoimmune diseases, including:

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
  • Psoriasis
  • Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
  • Amyopathic dermatomyositis
  • Stiff-person syndrome
  • Sjögren’s syndrome
  • Lichen planopilaris
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

In a case study, a 62-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) was prescribed LDN on a titration schedule (1.5 mg nightly, then 3 mg, then 4.5 mg). Her migraines often persisted for 30-90 days at a time, and previous treatments had provided little to no relief.

Over the next 11 months, while staying consistent with LDN and the Wahls Protocol, a diet created for people with MS and autoimmune conditions, she reported:

  • A drop in migraine frequency, only 3 short episodes in almost a year each lasting 2-3 days.
  • Reduced migraine severity.
  • Better sleep, less fatigue, and improved mood.
  • Greater mobility and overall quality of life.

Another case describes a 66-year-old woman with Sjögren’s syndrome. After 1 month on 1 mg LDN, her pain and swelling decreased. After increasing to 2 mg daily, she felt well with no joint pain, swelling, or tenderness. Over time, her inflammation markers normalized, and she remained symptom-free.

In 47 patients with therapy-resistant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 74.5% of patients improved clinically, and 25.5% achieved remission with LDN. A 2018 study also showed that LDN reduced the use of conventional IBD drugs, especially corticosteroids.

  1. Influence on mental and cognitive health

Early research suggests that LDN may help protect the brain by calming overactive immune cells (microglia), lowering inflammation, and supporting healthy nerve cell function.

A case series from Egypt followed five children aged 6 to 15 with severe epilepsy, experiencing 5-10 seizures a day. After starting LDN (1-5 mg daily), all showed reduced seizure activity, and two of the children remained seizure-free for at least three months.

In a 2019 study, people who consistently used LDN tended to reduce their use of several psychiatric medications and antiepileptics. Reductions were as follows:

  • Antiepileptics (-3.1%)
  • Antipsychotics (-2.1%)
  • Antidepressants (-2.8%)

Evidence from laboratory models further supports its potential. In an Alzheimer’s disease model, naltrexone protected brain cells by lowering tau protein damage and oxidative stress.

  1. Metabolic health

Problems like insulin resistance and obesity raise the risk of chronic illnesses, which can speed up aging.

In animal research, a 2020 study found that LDN may help protect against insulin resistance by reducing inflammation and supporting protective proteins that keep insulin signaling in balance. By doing so, LDN appeared to break the cycle where high insulin levels fuel more inflammation, which in turn worsens insulin resistance.

Naltrexone on its own is not FDA-approved for obesity. However, a fixed-dose combination of naltrexone and bupropion (sold as Contrave) is approved for long-term weight management in adults.

Across multiple studies, this combination has consistently shown effectiveness for weight loss and has generally been well tolerated. A 2024 study even reported that the combination led to greater weight loss and waist reduction compared to bupropion alone.

That said, research specifically on LDN for weight loss remains very limited, and more clinical trials are needed.

  1. Possible use in cancer treatment research

LDN is found to target the opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr), which is linked to how cancer cells grow, survive, and spread.

When LDN blocks OGFr for a short time, it tricks the body into making more opioid growth factor (OGF), which helps slow down cancer development. So, this rebound effect can lead to reduced cancer cell growth and increased cancer cell death.

Studies in both lab and animal models suggest that LDN can influence this OGF-OGFr pathway, helping to suppress cancer cell activity. Unlike traditional chemotherapy drugs, LDN does not directly kill cells but instead affects cancer growth through immune system modulation.

In a case study, a 50-year-old male with a prolonged survival and a past medical history of prostate and lung cancer was started on LDN 4.5 mg nightly as complementary therapy. Since starting LDN, follow-up scans have consistently shown no signs of the cancer coming back.

Side effects, dosing, and monitoring of LDN

If you’re curious about LDN, here are some situations where it might be worth a conversation with your doctor:

  • You’re living with chronic pain and haven’t found relief from standard treatments, and you’re not currently taking opioids.
  • You’re managing an inflammatory or autoimmune condition under the care of a specialist and are interested in adding a treatment option with a generally favorable safety profile.

Because there’s no commercially available LDN product, it is usually prepared by a compounding pharmacy.

When starting LDN, many clinicians begin with 1 to 1.5 mg at bedtime for a week or two, then slowly increase the dose by 0.5 to 1.5 mg every 1-2 weeks, aiming for a typical range of 3 to 4.5 mg nightly.

Most studies report LDN as well-tolerated. The side effects are usually mild and temporary, and include:

  • Vivid dreams
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nausea
  • Headaches

Many people find these effects fade with time or can be managed by adjusting the dose or timing.

The bottom line

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is very different from the standard naltrexone used for alcohol and opioid dependence. Research suggests it may benefit autoimmune disease, brain health, metabolism, and even cancer pathways, though evidence remains limited.

While promising for longevity, LDN is not FDA-approved for these uses. If you’re considering it, the safest approach is to work closely with a healthcare provider who understands LDN. Together, you can decide on the right dose, monitor for side effects, and fit it into your overall treatment plan.

FAQs on LDN for longevity

Is LDN proven to extend human lifespan?

No. There are no human trials with lifespan outcomes. A 2024 worm study showed life extension at low doses, which supports more research but does not prove human benefit.

Is LDN the same as microdosing other drugs?

No, LDN is not the same as microdosing psychedelics or other medicines. It refers specifically to using very low doses of naltrexone, typically between 1-4.5 mg, to produce different effects than standard doses.

Does LDN interact with painkillers or opioids?

Yes. Since naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, even low doses can interfere with opioid painkillers. People on opioids should not take LDN unless under specialist supervision.

Sources

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Author Bio: Dr. Adrian Blackwell is the founder and CEO of PonteVita Rx, a telehealth practice dedicated to making medication access simpler, more affordable, and less stressful. Licensed to practice medicine in all 50 states and DC, Dr. Blackwell is board certified in obesity medicine and emergency medicine. He combines clinical expertise with personal experience navigating the healthcare system as a patient and parent to children with chronic illnesses. His mission: ensure everyone has access to their necessary medications without unnecessary barriers.

Medical Disclaimer: All the information here, on these videos, YouTube, social media, or in any other format, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your personal physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never replace professional medical advice given to you personally or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard on this website. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. No patient-physician relationship is formed. If you’re my patient, please text me before you make any changes to your medication. If you believe you are having a medical emergency please call 911.

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