Methylene Blue
Tetramethylthionine chloride. Nootropic / Research Compound, redox cycler / mitochondrial agent.
This page describes what Methylene Blue is and its known risks. It is not medical advice and not a guide to using it. Many of these substances are prescription-only or illegal to use without a prescription. Speak to a doctor.
- Class
- Nootropic / Research Compound
- Legal status
- Prescription drug for medical indications (e.g. methemoglobinemia); sold as a research chemical/low-dose supplement in some markets — regulatory status varies significantly by country
- Half-life
- ~5-6.5 hours
- Liver strain
- Low at low doses; caution advised
- Kidney strain
- Low at low doses; caution advised
- Converts to estrogen
- None
- Suppresses natural hormones
- Not typically
Medical uses
- Methemoglobinemia treatment (approved medical use, clinical dosing)
- Investigated as adjunct in septic shock and certain neurodegenerative conditions
What it does in the body
Metabolic
- Acts as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain at low doses
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) activity at low-to-moderate doses
Forms, half-life and detection
| Form | Half-life | Reported detection window |
|---|---|---|
| Oral (drops/capsule) | ~5-6.5 hours | N/A (not a typically tested substance, but detectable via urine color change) |
Side effects and health risks
Heart and blood vessels
- Risk of serotonin syndrome if combined with SSRIs/SNRIs/other serotonergic drugs — potentially life-threatening
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
- Blue/green discoloration of urine and stool (harmless but expected)
Other
- Very narrow evidence base for healthy, non-medical use — most human data comes from clinical/critical-care dosing, not the low "nootropic" doses being self-administered
- Risk of hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient individuals
Questions
What is the half-life of Methylene Blue?
About ~5-6.5 hours. Half-life is the time for the level in the blood to fall by half.
How long is Methylene Blue detectable?
Testing windows of N/A (not a typically tested substance, but detectable via urine color change) are reported, depending on the test and the person.
Is Methylene Blue legal?
Prescription drug for medical indications (e.g. methemoglobinemia); sold as a research chemical/low-dose supplement in some markets — regulatory status varies significantly by country. Laws differ by country and change; check the rules where you live.
What blood tests matter with Methylene Blue?
Ask a doctor which tests suit you.
What are the side effects of Methylene Blue?
Heart and blood vessels: risk of serotonin syndrome if combined with ssris/snris/other serotonergic drugs — potentially life-threatening. Gastrointestinal: nausea and blue/green discoloration of urine and stool (harmless but expected). Other: very narrow evidence base for healthy, non-medical use — most human data comes from clinical/critical-care dosing, not the low "nootropic" doses being self-administered and risk of hemolytic anemia in g6pd-deficient individuals.
For information only, not medical advice. MyoStats is a tracking tool used at your own discretion. Speak to a doctor before changing your training, diet, medication or anything you take.