Joe Rogan and Methylene Blue: What He Said and What the Science Shows

Joe Rogan has discussed methylene blue several times on The Joe Rogan Experience — including describing adding it from a dropper into a glass of water — and that exposure drove a surge of public interest in the compound. Methylene blue is a synthetic compound studied for its effects on the mitochondria. Here is what Rogan actually said, what the science does and does not support, and what to know before trying it.

What Joe Rogan said about methylene blue

Rogan has raised methylene blue in conversations about longevity, mitochondrial health, and cognitive performance — including a widely-clipped exchange with Mel Gibson in which he described it as having “profound effects on your mitochondria.” He has also mentioned taking it himself, using the familiar routine of a few drops in water. Amplified across TikTok and YouTube, those moments are a major reason searches for methylene blue spiked.

For the record: Rogan is describing his own experience. He has not endorsed any particular brand — including ours — and we make no claim that he has.

Is the hype justified? An honest look

This is where it pays to separate signal from noise. Reporting from outlets like NPR and CBC has pushed back on the biggest claims, and experts caution that methylene blue has not been shown to improve mood or cognition in healthy people. The only use the FDA has approved is treating methemoglobinemia. So the honest position is this: a genuinely interesting mechanism and real ongoing research, but not a proven cognitive miracle.

What methylene blue actually is

Methylene blue is a synthetic compound first made as a textile dye in the 1870s and later adopted in medicine. In the body it acts as an electron shuttle in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is the basis for the interest in energy and cognition. For the full picture, see what methylene blue is and how it works.

The mitochondrial angle Rogan mentioned

The “profound effects on your mitochondria” line has a real mechanistic basis: methylene blue can donate electrons directly within the respiratory chain and support ATP production, which is covered in our guides on mitochondrial function and cellular energy. But a mechanism observed in the lab is not the same as a proven benefit in healthy humans — and that gap is exactly what the experts quoted above are pointing to.

If you are going to try it, this matters more than the hype

Two things matter far more than any podcast clip:

• Grade. Aquarium and laboratory-reagent methylene blue are not made to human-purity standards. Only USP pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue, third-party lab tested with a certificate of analysis, is appropriate for a person to ingest.
• Safety. Methylene blue is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and interacts dangerously with SSRI and SNRI antidepressants and other serotonergic medications, and it is unsuitable for people with G6PD deficiency. Read our safety overview and drug interactions guide first.

For amounts and method, see our dosage guide and how to take methylene blue.

Frequently asked questions

What brand of methylene blue does Joe Rogan use? He has not publicly named a specific brand, and we will not claim to be it. What actually matters is the grade: USP pharmaceutical grade, third-party tested, with a certificate of analysis.

How does Joe Rogan take methylene blue? Based on his own description, drops measured from a dropper into a glass of water — the standard way liquid methylene blue is taken. See our how-to guide for method and timing.

Does methylene blue actually improve cognition? The evidence in healthy people is early and mixed, and several experts have cautioned against the strongest claims. It is studied, not settled.

Is it safe to try? Only after checking your medications and health conditions with a professional — see the safety and interactions guides above.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is general information, not medical advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Joe Rogan.