This post covers using Methylene Blue for MCAS. Methylene Blue isn’t for everyone, so be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before trying it.
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Table of Contents
Who is Betsy Leighton?
I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.
I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
The common triggers for MCAS are infections, toxic exposures including mold exposure and EMFs, trauma, concussions, and stress.
MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in the form of medications and supplements, along with avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.
What is Methylene Blue?
I saw a new functional provider to fine-tune my MCAS symptoms, and he suggested that I try Methylene Blue.
Methylene blue has a long and fascinating history spanning multiple fields of study and applications. It was initially discovered and used as a textile dye and eventually became the first synthetic drug developed.
According to a PubMed article titled “Methylene Blue: The Long and Winding Road from Stain to Brain: Part 1,” methylene blue has been extensively used for biological staining in various disciplines such as histology, bacteriology, and hematology. It was first used as a medication over a century ago to treat malaria.
Interestingly, methylene blue was also one of the first drugs to be used in the treatment of patients with psychosis at the end of the 19th century. This eventually led to the development of phenothiazine antipsychotic drugs in the mid-20th century.
In the 1980s, methylene blue was studied in relation to bipolar disorder, and in recent years, its potential therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative disorders have been investigated. The drug’s use over time, driven by careful observation, clinical needs, serendipity, and the integration of concepts from different disciplines, has led to the discovery of many uses for Methylene Blue in healthcare.
Why Methylene Blue for MCAS
I was initially skeptical about trying Methylene Blue. I’m extremely sensitive to everything, especially food dyes, and it seemed crazy to take Methylene Blue therapeutically.
But after doing a quick search, I saw that Methylene Blue popped up fairly frequently in the MCAS Facebook groups I’m in. Some people claimed it cured their MCAS. Others didn’t see any benefit.
I did more research and found that Methylene Blue is a mast cell stabilizer:
“As a competitive inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, methylene blue blocks the smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilatation, along with other downstream effects of nitric oxide, including blockage of other mediators of mast cell degranulation (such as histamine and platelet-activating factor)” – source
I also learned that Methylene Blue (MB) helps treat anaphylaxis – source, source.
It has also been found to inhibit the formation of kidney stones (source).
Because I have issues with oxalates and sulfur, this intrigued me.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.
Know your typical symptom progression
Understanding your symptom progression during a flare is key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize symptom progression so you can be prepared to address them.
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Want a tool to easily track your symptoms?
Using Methylene Blue safely
The key to the safe use of MB, I discovered, is that some people carry a genetic mutation that makes Methylene Blue toxic to their bodies. If you are one of those people, you don’t want to use MB because it will do more harm than good. Since I didn’t know whether I carried that mutation, I decided to try a minimal dose for a week and see what happened.
My functional provider prescribed a compounded form of MB, 10 mg twice daily.
But in talking with my compounding pharmacist, he recommended that sensitive people start with 2.5 mg twice a day.
My functional provider is a naturopath in Oregon, and it turned out that he couldn’t prescribe in my state of Minnesota. He suggested that I try the USP-grade drops available on Amazon. I didn’t want to pay for a dose I couldn’t tolerate, so I gave the drops a try.
I started with one drop (0.5 mg) twice daily with food. Word to the wise: I tried it once without food and did not feel well. Take it with food.
Over ten days, I gradually increased by one drop every few days, until I was taking four drops (2 mg) twice daily with food.
How Methylene Blue May Help With Oxidative Stress
Non-native electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as Radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. A lot of people with MCAS and other chronic illnesses experience symptoms from exposure to non-native frequencies, such as EMFs. Methylene blue can help combat the effects of non-native frequencies. Here’s how:
1. MB enhances mitochondrial electron transport
Methylene blue can serve as an alternative electron carrier within mitochondria.
This means it can:
- Bypass damaged parts of the electron transport chain
- Reduce electron “leakage,” which is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Improve ATP production efficiency
If oxidative stress from any source—including possible EMF-related mitochondrial disruption—reduces electron transport efficiency, MB may help stabilize the system.
Why this matters:
When the electron chain slows or stalls, ROS levels climb. MB helps keep electrons moving.
2. MB switches between oxidized (MB⁺) and reduced (MBH₂) forms
This reversible cycling gives methylene blue antioxidant-like properties, including:
- Acting as a redox buffer
- Accepting electrons when there’s excess oxidative stress
- Donating electrons when cells are energy-deficient
This helps maintain cellular redox balance.
3. MB supports the NAD⁺/NADH ratio
Under stress, cells often accumulate excess NADH and lose NAD⁺.
MB can:
- Oxidize NADH → increasing NAD⁺
- Support energy metabolism
- Reduce ROS production linked to NADH overload
Higher NAD⁺ = better mitochondrial resilience.
4. MB protects mitochondria from nitric oxide (NO) overproduction
Some studies suggest EMFs may increase nitric oxide, which can combine with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, a highly damaging oxidant.
MB:
- Inhibits excess nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity
- Reduces peroxynitrite formation
- Supports mitochondrial membrane integrity
This is one of its most documented protective actions.
5. MB improves cellular oxygen utilization
It increases the efficiency of cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV), supporting:
- Better oxygen consumption
- Lower metabolic “stress load”
- Reduced ROS output
Cells running efficiently produce fewer free radicals.
6. MB has neuroprotective effects
If EMF exposure impacts the nervous system (as some hypotheses propose), MB’s known actions may be stabilizing:
- Strengthens synaptic energy metabolism
- Reduces neuroinflammation
- Protects dopaminergic pathways
- Enhances mitochondrial biogenesis signaling
These effects have been shown in Alzheimer’s and brain injury research.
Putting it together: The Core Idea
If EMF exposure increases oxidative stress, the proposed mechanisms are usually:
- Calcium dysregulation → more nitric oxide
- Mitochondrial disruption → more ROS
- Impaired ATP production
Methylene blue counteracts those same pathways by:
- Supporting electron flow
- Controlling NO excess
- Reducing ROS generation
- Improving ATP efficiency
- Stabilizing mitochondrial function
So MB doesn’t target EMFs specifically—it strengthens the cellular systems that oxidative stress challenges.
My experience with MB
The very first day I took MB, at a very low dose, my hot flashes and neuropathy decreased tenfold. Over the next ten days, I noticed I still had hot flashes and neuropathy, but they were occurring with much less frequency, duration, and intensity.
Before starting MB, I was waking up feeling like I was being electrocuted by a jolt of electricity 3-10 times per night (depending on how full my bucket was). Each bout of neuropathy caused a huge hot flash, and the only way I have found to stop the cycle is to get out of bed and walk around for a few minutes.
The first night on MB, I had one bout of neuropathy/hot flashes. Wow! This was significant!!!
And now that I’ve been taking 2.0 mg of MG twice daily with food for a few weeks, I’m still only averaging one bout per night. My sleep is so much better!!!! The neuropathy/hot flashes I am experiencing are “baby size.” Meaning that I no longer have to get out of bed to stop the cycle. I’d say they are a two on a scale of 1-10. Previously, they averaged 7-10.
I’ve read that MB can be helpful for skin conditions, and a few drops can be added to lotion and applied to the skin. In the wintertime, I get very chapped, dry, and cracked hands. I’m experimenting with this and I’ll report back on what I find.
Cautions about MB
I am going to spell this out again:
I am not a medical provider. I do not have medical training. I am not qualified to make healthcare recommendations. And certain people should definitely not take MB.
This exhaustive video by nutrition doctor Chris Masterjohn covers the history, uses, and contraindications of MB. MB is a complicated medicine that has been used for many ailments for over 120 years. However, people with a specific gene mutation should not take MB. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying MB.
Another consideration is that MB is a powerful blue dye. I heard that compounding pharmacies don’t want to compound it because it turns their labs blue. You want to be very careful not to spill MB on anything precious.
At higher doses, it apparently turns your urine and feces blue and can also stain your teeth.
Check out these circadian health tools!
I’m an affiliate with Bon Charge, a company that makes tools for circadian health, and you can receive 15% off your order with my coupon code BETSYL.
Bon Charge offers tools such as yellow– and red-tone blue-blocking glasses, red light therapy devices, PEMF mats, infrared saunas, and EMF-blocking products.
Sign up for the SSP!
I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.
You can sign up for the SSP here!
Heal your mind!
While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Order my books!
Here’s a short podcast highlighting my five books.
My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.
The Sacred Self-Healing Method ebook is available here and in most ebook retailers!
The Sacred Self-Healing Workbook is available for purchase here!
Betsy’s first book, Sacred Self-Healing: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness, is available here
Companion Recordings
The companion audio recordings of chants, guided meditations, and sound healing demonstrations that accompany the Sacred Self-Healing Method are available for free on my YouTube channel here
What do you think?
I’d love to have your reply below!
Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.
