Our Services / Low-dose naltrexone

What is low-dose naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a drug that’s clinically used in the treatment of opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. While it’s been prescribed for those purposes since the 1980s, in more recent years, medical providers are treating many other conditions, like chronic pain and autoimmune diseases, with far lower doses of the drug. 

The doses of low-dose naltrexone are only about 10% or less of those used for opioid and alcohol use disorders.

How does low-dose naltrexone work?

Naltrexone works on your opioid receptors, the body’s built-in system that regulates pleasure and pain. 

Naltrexone combines with and blocks opioid receptors, preventing the “high” feeling from drugs and alcohol. This is why it’s effective in reducing opioid and alcohol cravings. But, it works differently in much lower doses, and it’s particularly effective for people with chronic pain and autoimmune illnesses. 

Low-dose naltrexone blocks the brain receptor that’s connected to pain sensations. This alerts your body that it’s not making adequate endorphins (your body’s own painkillers), so you then release those valuable endorphins for pain relief. 

By the time your body makes more endorphins, the low-dose naltrexone leaves your body, so the receptors are unblocked, and you achieve an overall increase in endorphins. 

Endorphins are also involved in immune system modulation, and most people with autoimmune 

diseases have low endorphin levels. So, a net increase in endorphins is also highly beneficial for many people with autoimmune diseases. It can significantly reduce inflammation, pain, and other symptoms, even in very low doses.

When might I need low-dose naltrexone?

You might need low-dose naltrexone if you’re living with:

• Chronic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Crohn’s disease
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Scleroderma
• Sjögren's syndrome

There are many other autoimmune disorders and other types of conditions that low-dose naltrexone may help with. Research continues and is very promising for many people with chronic conditions.

How do you take low-dose naltrexone?

The most common way to take low-dose naltrexone is daily doses, usually taken before bedtime. It may take 8-10 weeks to see its effects, but the wait is well worth it. And,in the meantime, other pain relief and disease management options can improve your quality of life. 

If you’re ready to learn more about this innovative new low-dose approach for chronic pain and autoimmune disease, call Freedom Functional Wellness or click the online booking feature now.