As a user of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) of 1 year (and someone who knows a Long Covid setback is coming by ominous increase in gas) this is very interesting. Toxins in the gut make sense to me.
I'm also struck by the effects of LDN on the adrenal system releasing cortisol and adrenalin. I used to feel quite anxious in the morning (and a peak of other Long Covid symptoms) for no obvious reason and I think this was the production of cortisol and adrenalin triggering fight or flight. LDN seems to have helped with this - and certainly has increased my sleep so presumably improving parasympathetic function. I've recently noticed that my blood pressure has been borderline low around 90/60 in the morning and I gather that this too can trigger the release of cortisol and adrenaline to boost the pressure as soon as I start getting active. Having listened to Dr Boon Lin, Cardiologist, on autonomic dysfunction in Long Covid I've taken more salt in the morning raising my blood pressure by about 10 bpm and this too, alongside diaphragm breathing, seems to be helping.
Interesting, but could you lay out data on the use of Naltrexone in Long COVID? What have clinical trials revealed? What are the benefits to Long COVID patients of treating with Naltrexone?
Analysis of Bacteriophage Behavior of a Human RNA Virus, SARS-CoV-2, through the Integrated Approach of Immunofluorescence Microscopy, Proteomics and D-Amino Acid Quantification
More points. Dr. Shankara Chetty has considered and treated successfully long covid issues as a persistent auto immune condition that waxes and wanes. Would opioid receptor mechanism dovetail into the auto immune path, at least for the neurological presentations of long covid ? For the experts to explain. If my basic explanation about molecules like Naltrexone is correct, its work is on the pathophysiology of the disease too, as well as on the symptoms. One could also look at long covid as a more persistent symptomatic disease rather than a pathological one. At least certain presentations of it. And how about Pregabalin or Gabapentin from the neurological angle of long covid ? These molecules also have strong amine structural features. And I recall that some 12 years ago, I was on a six month course of Gabapentin to slowly get rid of symptoms like pain, irritation and tingling sensation after a severe attack of herpes even though the infection itself was contained in three weeks. And herpes has been one bug bear in long covid.
The presentation is an interesting new insight into long covid provided by the intrepid Dr. McMillan, followed by the thoughtful comments exchange from the two specialists Dr. Pocock and Dr. Mardi Crane-Godreau. As an old time organic chemist (PhD) with reading interests in medicinal chemistry in retirement, I have my perspective. Naltrexone is a strongly basic amine with a pKa in the region of 9. Its structure would clearly put it in the class of CADs (Cationic Amphilic Drugs). As a result, it can be a powerful anti viral ( against RNA viruses), anti inflammatory, immuno modulatory even anti histaminic. These are roles needed to fight the virus both in primary infection and in long covid conditions. It is a different matter that people did not find contexts in the past to study the drug’s multiple roles. If spike protein, from virus or vaccine remnants, is implicated, this molecule can prevent it from binding it to opioid receptor cells or dislodge it if already bound, by its own chemical (electro static) affinity to the spike protein structure. Dr. McMillan knows that I have been mentioning about this chemistry for over two years in many contexts. It is this chemistry why Azithromycin, Montelukast and Levocetrizine have worked powerfully in covid. He is also aware of my line that there are hundreds of drugs from many different indications that have this chemical structure feature capable of such interventions.
Why would Naltrexone help symptoms in Long Covid
As a user of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) of 1 year (and someone who knows a Long Covid setback is coming by ominous increase in gas) this is very interesting. Toxins in the gut make sense to me.
I'm also struck by the effects of LDN on the adrenal system releasing cortisol and adrenalin. I used to feel quite anxious in the morning (and a peak of other Long Covid symptoms) for no obvious reason and I think this was the production of cortisol and adrenalin triggering fight or flight. LDN seems to have helped with this - and certainly has increased my sleep so presumably improving parasympathetic function. I've recently noticed that my blood pressure has been borderline low around 90/60 in the morning and I gather that this too can trigger the release of cortisol and adrenaline to boost the pressure as soon as I start getting active. Having listened to Dr Boon Lin, Cardiologist, on autonomic dysfunction in Long Covid I've taken more salt in the morning raising my blood pressure by about 10 bpm and this too, alongside diaphragm breathing, seems to be helping.
Interesting, but could you lay out data on the use of Naltrexone in Long COVID? What have clinical trials revealed? What are the benefits to Long COVID patients of treating with Naltrexone?
Analysis of Bacteriophage Behavior of a Human RNA Virus, SARS-CoV-2, through the Integrated Approach of Immunofluorescence Microscopy, Proteomics and D-Amino Acid Quantification
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/4/3929
PDF ⬇️
https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/ijms/ijms-24-03929/article_deploy/ijms-24-03929-v2.pdf?version=1676618465
Thanks Dr. McM. Fascinating indeed. Beyond intriguing that yet another venom is involved in the injections.
More points. Dr. Shankara Chetty has considered and treated successfully long covid issues as a persistent auto immune condition that waxes and wanes. Would opioid receptor mechanism dovetail into the auto immune path, at least for the neurological presentations of long covid ? For the experts to explain. If my basic explanation about molecules like Naltrexone is correct, its work is on the pathophysiology of the disease too, as well as on the symptoms. One could also look at long covid as a more persistent symptomatic disease rather than a pathological one. At least certain presentations of it. And how about Pregabalin or Gabapentin from the neurological angle of long covid ? These molecules also have strong amine structural features. And I recall that some 12 years ago, I was on a six month course of Gabapentin to slowly get rid of symptoms like pain, irritation and tingling sensation after a severe attack of herpes even though the infection itself was contained in three weeks. And herpes has been one bug bear in long covid.
The presentation is an interesting new insight into long covid provided by the intrepid Dr. McMillan, followed by the thoughtful comments exchange from the two specialists Dr. Pocock and Dr. Mardi Crane-Godreau. As an old time organic chemist (PhD) with reading interests in medicinal chemistry in retirement, I have my perspective. Naltrexone is a strongly basic amine with a pKa in the region of 9. Its structure would clearly put it in the class of CADs (Cationic Amphilic Drugs). As a result, it can be a powerful anti viral ( against RNA viruses), anti inflammatory, immuno modulatory even anti histaminic. These are roles needed to fight the virus both in primary infection and in long covid conditions. It is a different matter that people did not find contexts in the past to study the drug’s multiple roles. If spike protein, from virus or vaccine remnants, is implicated, this molecule can prevent it from binding it to opioid receptor cells or dislodge it if already bound, by its own chemical (electro static) affinity to the spike protein structure. Dr. McMillan knows that I have been mentioning about this chemistry for over two years in many contexts. It is this chemistry why Azithromycin, Montelukast and Levocetrizine have worked powerfully in covid. He is also aware of my line that there are hundreds of drugs from many different indications that have this chemical structure feature capable of such interventions.
Fascinating... so how is it (long COVID/ COVID itself) being distributed to the population?
If you would go to my Substack and subscribe (this is free and open to all) I have laid out answers to many of the questions that you pose. https://longcovidjourney2wellness.substack.com/