Understanding How Nitric Oxide Affects Our Health

2024-11-14

For quite some time now, ever since entering the world of red light therapy — but particularly when getting into the realm of methylene blue — I've wondered what nitric oxide's true impact on our body and wellness is. For the vast majority of my life, I was under the belief that all nitric oxide = good. That was ingrained at an early age with the countless pre-workout supplements I was taking during my heavy lifting days during high school through college. But it didn't stop there. The message of nitric oxide = good and that "more is better" has been perpetuated in the wellness, and even longevity, industries by countless experts and influencers.

But how is that possible if one of methylene blue's main actions is nitric oxide inhibition? How is that possible if nitric oxide is a free radical and an environmental pollutant and, thus, is effectively an "electron stealer"?

For whatever reason, I have never been able to get a straight answer from anyone on this topic. But serendipitously, I was recently reading a book that provided the most clearcut and sensible explanation that would allow for nitric oxide to be both "good" and "bad". The book is Methylene Blue: Magic Bullet: The Ultimate Mitochondrial Support, by Dr. John Lieurance. As I learned from the book, it turns out that nitric oxide is quite similar to how inflammation can be both a positive and a negative for our physiology; but with some additional nuances through in there. Today's episode is about nitric oxide and the roles it plays in our wellness and what the best strategies are for best harnessing the "good" nitric oxide while downregulating the "bad" nitric oxide.

If you found the information in today's episode particularly interesting and/or compelling, please share it with a family member, friend, colleague and/or anyone that you think could benefit and be illuminated by this knowledge. Sharing is caring :)

As always, light up your health!

Book referenced in episode:

Methylene Blue: Magic Bullet: The Ultimate Mitochondrial Support

Key Points:

[00:00] Introduction to Red Light Therapy and Anti-Aging

[00:13] Mitochondrial Triad and Dr. Mike Belkowski

[00:36] Seasonal Stress and Immune Support

[01:59] Introduction to Nitric Oxide

[02:38] Understanding Nitric Oxide and Redox Signaling

[04:05] Dr. John Lawrence and Nitric Oxide Types

[06:32] Types of Nitric Oxide Synthases (NOS)

[10:25] Methylene Blue and INOS Inhibition

[11:19] Nitric Oxide in Fitness and Erectile Dysfunction

[14:06] Risks of High Nitric Oxide and Cardiovascular Disease

[16:10] Cytokine Storm and Immune Response

[17:39] Red Light Therapy’s Interaction with Nitric Oxide

[18:40] Nitric Oxide Boosters: Pros and Cons

[20:29] Dr. Jason Sommers and the Role of Red Light Therapy, Methylene Blue, HBOT

[23:06] Caution in Medical Recommendations

[23:42] Case Study on Methylene Blue and SSRIs

[24:47] FDA and Health Canada Standpoints

[26:09] Psychedelics and Methylene Blue Synergy

[27:02] Standard Dosages vs. Surgical Dosages

[29:19] Recap on Safety of Methylene Blue with SSRIs

[29:34] Returning to Nitric Oxide

[31:23] Introduction to Nitric Oxide (NO)

[32:58] Three Types of Nitric Oxide

[34:49] Balancing Nitric Oxide Types

[38:13] Benefits of ‘Press and Pulse’ Activation

[39:40] Methylene Blue's Role in INOS Inhibition

[40:52] Red Light Therapy Benefits for ENOS

[41:17] Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and NOS

[42:02] Summary on Nitric Oxide’s Health Impact

[43:04] Chronic Inflammation and INOS

[43:46] Optimal Nitric Oxide Ratios for Health

[44:13] Exploring Other Modalities for NOS Regulation

[45:02] Conclusion and Call to Action

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