Pain Management

Low dose naltrexone (LDN)​ Naltrexone, originally used to help manage opioid use disorders by preventing the euphoria (“high”) caused by opiates, is now recognized as a complimentary treatment for many chronic conditions.  Naltrexone, when used in very low doses, has been found to safely treat a host of conditions and symptoms with minimal side effects. Off-label use of Naltrexone, in much lower doses, has shown benefit in a variety of conditions because of the way naltrexone temporarily binds to opioid receptors in the brain. Binding these receptors promotes the compensatory production of natural endorphins which then have the ability to affect the body’s immune system and slow the production of cells that can negatively influence various medical condition LDN has been found to aid chronic pain by temporarily binding and blocking a mechanism called the MU receptor, which is linked to pain. Blocking the receptor tells our bodies that we aren’t producing enough endorphins (our natural pain relievers), and then releases them. The most common LDN dosages are 1.5mg, 3mg, and 4.5mg taken at bedtime. LDN may be titrated up or down based on how a person responds to treatment You shouldn’t take LDN if you: currently take prescribed opioid medications or street drugs are in an opioid maintenance program and/or are taking suboxone or methadone are in acute opiate or alcohol withdrawal have liver problems or abnormal liver tests if you are currently being treated for or have an alcohol use disorder you should discontinue LDN before surgery or if you plan to take prescribed opioid medications you should not take LDN if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding ​