PubMed lists more than 31,000 papers that mention methylene blue1. These are the main studies on the four benefits people ask us about most. Pick one to jump to its studies, each linked to its record on PubMed.
Two randomized, placebo-controlled trials gave healthy adults a single low dose of methylene blue, then used brain imaging while they worked through attention and memory tasks. Researchers saw stronger brain responses during a sustained attention task and 7% more correct answers on memory retrieval than with placebo2, along with stronger connections between brain regions that link perception and memory3.
Multimodal Randomized Functional MR Imaging of the Effects of Methylene Blue in the Human Brain.
What they did. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 26 adults aged 22 to 62. Each had brain imaging (fMRI) before and 1 hour after a single 280 mg dose by mouth.
What they found. Stronger brain responses during a sustained attention task and a short-term memory task, and 7% more correct answers during memory retrieval than placebo.
Methylene blue modulates functional connectivity in the human brain.
What they did. The same randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Task and resting brain imaging one hour after a single low dose by mouth.
What they found. Stronger resting-state connections between brain regions that link perception and memory.
A long series of animal studies, many from the lab of Dr. Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, tested low doses on memory and learning. Again and again, the low doses that raised the brain's energy use were the ones that supported memory4,5,6. The human trial above also measured memory retrieval2.
What they did. Rats were given a range of doses, then tested on memory while researchers measured how much oxygen the brain used.
What they found. A low dose (4 mg/kg) improved object recognition memory, and low amounts raised brain oxygen use. High doses did not help.
Methylene blue improves brain oxidative metabolism and memory retention in rats.
What they did. A low dose (1 mg/kg) after training on a spatial memory task.
What they found. Higher activity of a key energy enzyme in the brain, and better memory retention than saline: 66% versus 31%.
The brain metabolic enhancer methylene blue improves discrimination learning in rats.
What they did. A low daily dose (1 mg/kg) during several days of training on a discrimination task.
What they found. Better learning, with brain cytochrome oxidase activity, a marker of energy production, about 70% higher.
Extinction memory improvement by the metabolic enhancer methylene blue.
What they did. A low dose (4 mg/kg) for 5 days after training.
What they found. Better memory retention and greater overall energy activity across the brain.
Methylene Blue Facilitates Memory Retention in Zebrafish in a Dose-Dependent Manner.
What they did. Four different doses, from low to high, followed by a memory test.
What they found. The low dose helped memory and the highest dose hurt it.
Inside each cell, mitochondria make energy by passing electrons down a chain of proteins, like a relay. That relay drives the production of ATP, the fuel your cells run on. Methylene blue can accept and hand off electrons, so it can act as a backup carrier in that chain9. In lab and animal research, that showed up as more oxygen and glucose use in cells and in the brain10,11,12.
From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection-an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue.
What they did. A review of methylene blue and mitochondria.
What they found. Methylene blue can work as an alternative electron carrier, moving electrons from NADH to cytochrome c and raising complex IV activity.
Methylene blue delays cellular senescence and enhances key mitochondrial biochemical pathways.
What they did. Human cells grown in the lab were treated with methylene blue.
What they found. Higher mitochondrial complex IV activity and more oxygen use by the cells.
Methylene blue as a cerebral metabolic and hemodynamic enhancer.
What they did. Cells in the lab, then rats scanned with PET and MRI.
What they found. In cells, higher mitochondrial activity, oxygen use and glucose uptake. In rats, the brain took up more glucose, had more blood flow and used more oxygen.
What they did. A single low dose (0.5 mg/kg), with brain imaging during stimulation.
What they found. Stronger brain responses and more oxygen use on MRI.
The same electron cycling is why researchers study methylene blue's antioxidant properties. A major review describes them alongside its role in cellular energy13, and in mice entering middle age, 60 days of methylene blue restored the activity of genes for antioxidant defense and for building new mitochondria14.
Neurometabolic mechanisms for memory enhancement and neuroprotection of methylene blue.
What they did. A review of how methylene blue acts inside brain cells.
What they found. At low doses, methylene blue cycles electrons in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The review also describes its antioxidant properties.
What they did. Methylene blue for 60 days in mice entering middle age.
What they found. Slower age-related loss of endurance and activity, and restored activity of genes for building new mitochondria and for antioxidant defense.
Across these studies, low doses helped and high doses did not. In zebrafish, the low dose helped memory and the highest dose hurt it8. Researchers call this a hormetic response15, and it is why the research focuses on low doses16.
That is the idea behind Blue Boost: 12 mg of USP grade methylene blue per capsule. The human trials above gave a single 280 mg dose and did not test Blue Boost itself, but they are the reason we keep the amount small.
What they did. A review of methylene blue research at low and high doses.
What they found. Low and high doses produce different, sometimes opposite, effects on behavior and on the body.
Protection against neurodegeneration with low-dose methylene blue and near-infrared light.
What they did. A review of low-dose methylene blue research.
What they found. Explains why researchers focus on low doses of methylene blue.
High absolute bioavailability of methylene blue given as an aqueous oral formulation.
What they did. 16 healthy adults took methylene blue by mouth, dissolved in water, and by IV for comparison.
What they found. 72.3% of the oral dose reached the bloodstream.
What they did. A general review of how methylene blue behaves in the body.
What they found. Describes its pharmacology, including the blue-green color it gives urine.
What they did. Measured how methylene blue affects monoamine oxidase A, an enzyme that breaks down serotonin.
What they found. Methylene blue blocks this enzyme, which is why it must not be combined with SSRI, SNRI or MAOI medications.
What they did. A review of drug interactions involving methylene blue.
What they found. Supports the same warning: do not combine methylene blue with serotonin-affecting medications.
Medications and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: an evidence-based review.
What they did. An evidence-based review of medications for people with G6PD deficiency.
What they found. Lists methylene blue among the compounds people with G6PD deficiency should avoid.
No. These studies tested methylene blue, mostly at larger amounts than one Blue Boost capsule. They explain the ingredient and the reason for a small dose. Blue Boost itself is independently tested by Eurofins for purity, and you can see those results on our Third Party Tests page.
Memory, learning and brain energy are hard to measure directly in people, so most early research is done in rats, mice or zebrafish first. The two human trials on this page used brain imaging in healthy adults.
We're not allowed to give medical or dosing advice. Follow the directions on the label and talk with your doctor, especially if you take any medication. Our drug interactions list is a good place to start that conversation.
Every study on this page links to its PubMed record, where you can read the abstract and, for many papers, the full text for free.
60 capsules
12 mg of USP grade methylene blue per capsule, with vitamin C ester and organic cacao. The research above is why we keep the dose small.
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Consult your doctor before use. Do not use with SSRIs or antidepressants. Do not take when pregnant or breastfeeding. Not for use under the age of 18. If any adverse reactions occur, stop using this product and consult your doctor.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
