If you’re living with chronic inflammation, autoimmune symptoms, persistent pain, or hormonal imbalances, chances are you’ve already done everything you were told to do.
You may have tried medications, supplements, diets, injections, and specialist visits, yet you’re still exhausted, inflamed, and frustrated by a body that doesn’t seem to be healing.
This is the moment many of my patients come to see me.
Not because they haven’t tried, but because what they’ve tried hasn’t worked.
Low Dose Naltrexone, often called LDN, is one of the most overlooked and most powerful therapies I use in practice for patients who feel stuck in chronic illness. It’s not new. It’s not experimental. And it doesn’t suppress your immune system the way many conventional drugs do.
Instead, LDN helps your body remember how to regulate inflammation, balance immune activity, and repair itself again.
I’ve been prescribing LDN for nearly seven years, and I continue to see people who have struggled for years finally experience relief not because something stronger was used, but because something smarter was.
If you’ve been searching for a gentler, more natural way to calm inflammation, support autoimmune conditions, and restore balance to your body, this may be the missing piece you haven’t been told about yet.
What Exactly Is Low Dose Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is traditionally known for its use in high doses, usually 50 to 100 mg, as a medication for alcohol or opioid dependence.
I prescribe Naltrexone at very low doses or even ultra-low doses of 0.5 to 4.5 mg. In these low doses, naltrexone behaves completely differently than in standard doses. These small doses gently modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and boost endorphin activity by promoting your body’s natural feel-good, healing molecules.
This is why we call it Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).
How LDN Works: A Naturopathic Perspective
LDN has a special affinity for mu-opioid receptors, which play a major role in pain perception and immune regulation. When taken in low doses at bedtime something unique happens:
1. It temporarily blocks the receptors:
This mini “blockade” signals the body to produce more endorphins.
2. Endorphins surge:
These endorphins help regulate immune function, reduce inflammation, and calm pain.
3. The immune system rebalances:
Many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions improve when immune activity becomes more balanced and not suppressed. The result is a natural, internal healing shift that many people feel.
Conditions LDN May Help With
In clinical practice I’ve seen LDN be incredibly helpful for:
Autoimmune Conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Eczema
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Hormonal and Metabolic Concerns
- PCOS
- Perimenopause-related inflammation
- Insulin resistance
- Chronic pain due to hormonal changes
Chronic Pain & Inflammation
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue
- Migraines
- Joint and muscle pain
- Post-viral inflammatory symptoms
Emerging Use: Weight Loss & “Food Noise”
Newer research suggests that slightly higher but still low doses of LDN may help reduce appetite, calm “food noise,” and support weight management. I am exploring this carefully as a potential tool for patients struggling with metabolic weight issues.
Topical LDN: A Hidden Gem
LDN isn’t just taken orally, as topical use can be surprisingly effective for:
- Stubborn eczema
- Psoriatic lesions
- Localized pain
- Chronic rashes
- Itchy or inflamed skin
Some patients have called the results of LDN life-changing, especially after years of trying steroid creams or biologics without long-term relief.
Is LDN Safe? What About Side Effects?
LDN is very safe and well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild, temporary, and dose-dependent.
Opioid medications represent the most clinically significant interaction with low-dose naltrexone, as LDN occupies opioid receptors and preventing these drugs from exerting their pain-relieving effects. No other drug interactions have been noted.
Possible mild effects may include:
- Occasional headaches
- Vivid dreams
- Temporary sleep disturbance
- Flu-like feelings during the adjustment period
These typically improve as the body adapts.
Although safe, the effective dosing range for LDN is narrow. That’s why working with a knowledgeable provider is essential to finding your ideal dose.
Why I Love Using LDN in My Practice
As a naturopathic doctor, my goal is always to identify therapies that help the body heal itself, not simply mask symptoms.
LDN fits beautifully into that philosophy because:
- It reduces inflammation naturally
- It enhances endorphin production
- It supports balanced immune function
- It works synergistically with lifestyle and botanical therapies
- It often helps when “nothing else has worked”
- It has a high safety profile
- It can be customized: oral, topical, capsules, or liquid
When used thoughtfully, LDN can be a gentle but powerful ally in long-term healing.
Is LDN Right for You?
If you struggle with chronic inflammation, autoimmune issues, hormonal challenges, persistent pain, or metabolic symptoms and you’re looking for a more natural, integrative option LDN may be worth exploring. I prescribe LDN through compounding pharmacies and tailor the dosage precisely based on your symptoms, health goals, and response.
Every individual’s body is different, which is why personalized guidance is essential.
Ready to Explore Whether LDN Could Support Your Healing?
If you’re curious about Low Dose Naltrexone and want to know if you may be a good candidate, call (909) 981-9200 today to schedule your FREE Discovery Consultation with Dr. Sasha Blissett.
Dr. Sasha Blissett
Dr. Sasha Blissett is a California-licensed Naturopathic Doctor specializing in women’s health and hormonal balance. She is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine, LearnSkin, and the California Association of Naturopathic Doctors.