Exploring the Benefits of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): A Gentle Therapy for Inflammation, Immunity, and Mood

Jul 27, 2025 | LDN, Low Dose Naltrexone

A clinician consulting calmly with a patient in a soft-lit treatment room.

At Hormonally Rooted, our mission is to provide thoughtful, personalized care using therapies that align with the body’s natural rhythms. One such therapy that’s gaining attention in both clinical research and patient success stories is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).

Originally developed in the 1980s as a treatment for opioid addiction in higher doses, naltrexone has since been studied in much smaller amounts—hence “low dose”—for its unique ability to modulate the immune system, reduce chronic inflammation, and even support mood and cognitive function.

What Is LDN?

Low Dose Naltrexone typically refers to dosages between 0.5 mg and 4.5 mg, a fraction of the amount used for addiction treatment. In these lower amounts, LDN has a paradoxical and fascinating effect: it briefly blocks opioid receptors in the brain, prompting the body to increase its own production of endorphins and enkephalins—natural chemicals that help regulate the immune system, reduce pain, and promote emotional well-being.

What Conditions Might Benefit from LDN?

LDN is not a one-size-fits-all therapy, but it may be a helpful option for individuals with:

  • Autoimmune diseases (such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis)
  • Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Inflammatory disorders like Crohn’s or IBS
  • Mood disorders and low-grade depression

Thyroid dysfunction with immune involvement

How Does LDN Work?

LDN appears to act by:

  • Modulating the immune system: It helps quiet overactive immune responses without suppressing immune function, a key distinction for those with autoimmune conditions.
  • Reducing inflammation: By influencing certain receptors and signaling pathways, LDN helps decrease chronic inflammation that drives pain and disease progression.
  • Boosting endorphins: These natural mood-lifting and pain-reducing chemicals help regulate stress, sleep, and emotional stability.

LDN is considered safe and well-tolerated. Most people do not experience side effects, though some report temporary vivid dreams or difficulty sleeping when starting therapy—often resolved by adjusting the dose or timing.

Our Approach to LDN at Hormonally Rooted

As part of your integrative care plan, we offer LDN as a supportive therapy when it aligns with your overall health goals. Before recommending LDN, we take time to:

  • Review your complete health history
  • Evaluate lab markers related to inflammation and immune function
  • Discuss your symptoms, goals, and other current treatments

If LDN is a good fit, we will carefully guide your dosage, monitor your progress, and coordinate with your other therapies to ensure a cohesive plan.

Why Personalized Matters

Not everyone benefits from the same dose or responds the same way to LDN. That’s why we avoid cookie-cutter protocols. Our philosophy is rooted in individualized, holistic care—where therapies like LDN are used thoughtfully, not as a quick fix but as part of a broader healing strategy.

Learn More and Begin Your Journey

If you’ve been searching for a gentle, evidence-informed option to help manage inflammation, pain, or autoimmune symptoms, Low Dose Naltrexone may be worth exploring.

We invite you to learn more at ldntrust.org or reach out to us at Hormonally Rooted to schedule a consultation.

Because true wellness begins when your body’s systems are in harmony—and that harmony often begins with the smallest of changes.

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