Naltrexone is a potent opioid receptor antagonist. In the clinical setting, naltrexone is sometimes prescribed for opioid or alcohol dependence, specifically to block the feeling of “pleasure” and to reduce “craving”.
However, given at extremely low doses, about 1/50th to 1/10th of clinical doses, low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has a couple of interesting properties. LDN seems to modulate a variety of systems, including the reward system, hypothalamic subsystems, and the immune system.
Potential benefits range from helping with all kinds of addictions (including behavioral addictions), low libido, fibromyalgia and other pain states, chronic fatigue syndrome, burnout, and low-level inflammation. However, it remains to be seen whether LDN is more hope than hype.
Personal experience
After reading about LDN and its many potential benefits, I decided to try it out myself. I mostly did this out of curiosity. Secondary goals were potentially greater energy levels (as naltrexone is known to disinhibit POMC neurons), reducing cravings (I was craving a lot of chocolate at the time), and a higher hedonic tone (enhancing the depth of my emotions).
Fortunately, pharmacies in my country carry a liquid version of it, which is easy to microdose. I took my first dose (0.5mg) in the early evening. I got a little tired, but I did not think much of it. That night, my Oura ring showed a 60% reduction in slow-wave sleep and a 100% increase in REM sleep. My dreams were very vivid.
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