By Mitchell Liester and June Winsor

A new therapy is showing promise for the treatment of mental illness and neurodegenerative disorders. This treatment, which consists of a blue dye and red light, may improve disorders ranging from depression to Alzheimer’s disease. The two components of this treatment are methylene blue (MB) and red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM).

MB is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication that is inexpensive and safe to use. However, this agent didn’t start out as a medicine. Developed in 1876, MB was first used as a dye for textiles. In 1907, the German biochemist Paul Ehrlich described MB as a “Magic Bullet” due to its ability to recognize and target cells with impaired mitochondrial function. This blue dye was also administered to soldiers during World War I after it was found to be effective in treating malaria. In the early 20th century, MB was used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning, and today it is employed as a treatment for a blood disorder known as methemoglobinemia.

More recently, MB has been suggested to treat a wide range of disorders including COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Additionally, MB has been shown to improve memory in humans even when no underlying neuropsychiatric disorder is present. So, how does MB work?

Mitochondria are cellular organelles that produce most of the energy cells need to function. This energy is created in the form of ATP through a process known as oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial production of ATP, which is decreased in individuals who are depressed, increases following treatment with MB, thereby increasing cellular energy.

In addition to increasing ATP production, mitochondria also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide. Excess levels of ROS produce oxidative stress, which damages lipids and proteins and oxidizes mitochondrial DNA. Methylene blue regulates ROS levels and........

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