Naltrexone (low dose, LDN)
Metabolic Health · Opioid antagonist
Tier C+
What this is
Not really a weight loss drug in isolation; part of Contrave combo. LDN has legitimate off-label uses for fibromyalgia and autoimmune conditions but weight loss claims are thin. Widely used in biohacker/alt-med circles.
Mechanism
At low doses (1.5-4.5 mg): transient mu-opioid blockade triggers rebound endorphin release; modulates immune/microglial function; TLR4 antagonism
Dose & route
1.5-4.5 mg PO at bedtime
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24526250/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5374854/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28870431/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40698237/
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01174914
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.