Helminthic therapy and autoimmune diseases

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An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms.

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Helminth therapy is a highly effective method for preventing and treating autoimmune diseases. The first studies were carried out in Crohn's disease (IBD).

There are numerous scientific publications and testimonials on this subject.

The most studied diseases are: inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. For these diseases, there are fundamental research studies in animal models and on humans. There are also numerous testimonials from self-treaters.

Helminths act primarily by shifting the body from an inflammatory Th1/Th17 immunity to an anti-inflammatory and reparative Th2 immunity. They stimulate the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which calm the immune system. They stimulate numerous immune pathways through their presence and their excretory/secretory products which includes proteins, peptides, lipids, and RNA-carrying extracellular vesicles (EVs).

General reviews[edit | edit source]

2025 Apr 15 Coevolutionary interplay: Helminths-trained immunity and its impact on the rise of inflammatory diseases
2017 Apr 24 Helminth Immunomodulation in Autoimmune Disease -- Full text | PDF

See more papers : Helminthic therapy research

Ankylosing spondylitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and ankylosing spondylitis

Autoimmune encephalitis[edit | edit source]

Autoimmune hepatitis[edit | edit source]

The anectodal evidence

I began to notice the crippling symptoms of my autoimmune diseases (MCTD/lupus, Fibromyalgia, Raynauds, and Autoimmune hepatitis) fading about 1 month after my second dose … I Feel Normal … I see possibilities and hope where I once saw nothing but blackness and despair." [1]

Coeliac / celiac disease[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and coeliac / celiac disease

Crohn's disease[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)[edit | edit source]

It includes Lewis-Sumner syndrome (LSS)

… the infection of 50-80 necator americanus helminths did not help appreciably with the cidp. I have since increased my infection of hw's to about one per pound of weight which is approximately 190 - 200 helminths. I weigh approximately 203 pounds… having the higher infection has seemed to help my cidp.” [2] (See this note about colony size.)

Dermatomyositis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and neuromuscular disorders: Myositis and dermatomyositis

Giant cell arteritis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and systemic vasculitis: giant cell arteritis (GCA)

Graves' disease[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and thyroid disease

Hashimoto's thyroiditis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and thyroid disease

Henoch-Schönlein purpura[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and systemic vasculitis: Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)[edit | edit source]

also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia

Lupus[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and lupus

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)[edit | edit source]

Also see Helminthic therapy and lupus

The first report is more detailed than the quotes that follow it.

Bleak prognosis for MCTD patient is reversed by hookworms (January 2025)

I can hardly believe it has already been 8 months since I started my helminthic therapy journey. In the briefest terms possible, it has been the more dramatic, mind-blowing, and wonderful decision of my life... I began to notice the crippling symptoms of my autoimmune diseases (MCTD/lupus, Fibromyalgia, Raynaud's, and Autoimmune hepatitis) fading about 1 month after my second dose ... I Feel Normal: hardly any severe, debilitating, mind-numbing, exhausting, unrelenting P.A.I.N. Energy levels on par with other people my age, as opposed to narcoleptics and flu-patients. The ability to get up in the morning without wanting to cry from the pain, dizziness, and crippling fatigue. The ability to think and speak clearly. The ability to play with my son, do the laundry, brush my teeth. Basically, all things I completely took for granted before I got sick, and which I had waved goodbye to for good, so I thought... Just like falling in love, I see the world in a whole new light. I see possibilities and hope where I once saw nothing but blackness and despair. My new love affair with life has begun. [3]

☹️ 18 months ago (I was) finally correctly diagnosed as having an autoimmune mixed connective tissue disorder. I've also had IBS my entire life. So far, at 30 HDC every 3 weeks, my symptoms (severe pain in my muscles, that is crippling at times) are not improved. I am also going to be experimenting with much higher HDC doses on me. At the very least though, I hope that HDC will stop me developing yet another autoimmune disease. [4]

The following three reports are by the same person.
- I'm about 11 months into my HT (hookworm, for lupus and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease), and doing really well. There are long periods (days, even a week or more) when I have zero pain in my body. My recurring nephritis now sits dormant for weeks at a time. I no longer have chest pain every single day, my heart doesn't race several times a day, and I hardly ever choke. Almost every symptom I had at the beginning has been reduced about 80% or so. Almost every symptom - my malar rash worsened. I'm treating it very carefully, though, and I see small improvements every few days. In the end, I've decided that if HT allows everything else to disappear, I can put makeup on the rash. It's worth it. The depression has also melted away... I believe that the improvement in my quality of life is at least partly responsible. I am happy now - happier than I have been in a long time. I don't dread waking up in the morning to discover what's going to hurt today. I don't dread stepping out of bed, unsure if my legs will actually hold me up. I am comfortable making plans with people several days out, instead of putting them off until I know how I'm feeling. [5] I really wish I had done this way back when I first heard about it… If I could go back and get hookworms five years ago, I would. [6]
- I’m almost a year past my first dose of HW. I've had four doses all together. Last week, I worked eight days in a row without a day off … mostly working on my feet in a retail environment … and worked almost 40 hours on the sales floor. Before my HW, I was limited to 20 hours a week… While I was getting ready for bed, my daughter said, "You know Mama - I can't even remember the last time I had to help you get dressed. Can you?" No, I could not. I'm doing so much better! [7]
- I have MCTD - Lupus with a likely DM (dermatomyositis) overlap… I'm 14 months into HT and about 85 to 90% improved! [8]

I am using Human Hook Worms for the Treatment of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease with my predominant symptoms being Lupus… So almost 5 months after first inoculation and my labs are all normal except my eosinophils (0.7 against a normal of 0.4). I googled this and it indicates that I have helminths in my body.” [9] [10] And, posted 2 years later: "I have been off all meds for 2 1/2 years now. [11]

A 33-year-old woman with a history of mixed connective tissue disease presented for routine follow-up… Her presenting symptoms included polyarthritis, mouth sores, photosensitivity, malar rash, dry eyes and mouth, and Raynaud's phenomenon… She procured Necator americanus larvae and self-inoculated… She reports significant improvement in symptoms (joint pain, swelling, rash) after her second inoculation… On this visit, she was asymptomatic. There was no evidence of rash or synovitis on examination. Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complement levels were within reference ranges. She was contented with helminthic therapy and wanted to continue it. [12]

I was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disorder about two years ago. Plaquenil and some huge dietary changes helped significantly, but I still had some problems… So I dosed with my first five NA. I'm not quite at twelve weeks yet and I already see improvements. My energy level was decent before, but even better now. My skin is starting to look like human skin for the first time in years. No more hardening and splitting skin, it's less scaly and dry, less swelling around the joints. I ate a tiny bit of curry with pepper in it and I didn't have a terrible rheumatoid arthritis flare in response. [13] (Post includes before-and-after pictures of this self-treater's hands.)

Multiple sclerosis (MS)[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and multiple sclerosis (MS)

Myasthenia gravis[edit | edit source]

See [[Helminthic therapy and neuromuscular disorders#Myasthenia gravis | Helminthic therapy and neuromuscular disorders: Myasthenia gravis'''

Myositis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and neuromuscular disorders: Myositis and dermatomyositis

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)[edit | edit source]

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and hips, but which may occur all over the body.

Nota: According to Wikipedia, about 20% of people who are diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica also have giant cell arteritis.

For scientific papers see :

I have polymyalgia rheumatica (an autoimmune disorder mediated by interleukin-6). The worst symptoms of pain (which made me yelp out loud whenever I moved) and stiffness (like walking in hip-deep water) can be controlled with prednisone, assuming one can tolerate the side effects of that. However, prednisone does not help with the fatigue which is often quite disabling. In my case, whenever I was standing up, I wanted to be sitting down and whenever I was sitting, I wanted to be lying down. Going anywhere, doing anything was a struggle - I was swimming upstream all the time. When it was time to meet a friend to go sailing (one of my favourite activities), I’d wail to myself “Oh, no, I have to go sailing!!” because all I wanted to do was lie down. The major effect of my hookworms has been relief from this overwhelming fatigue. About 3 months after the first inoculation, this just went away. Then, maybe 6 weeks after the second inoculation, I noticed the yard was full of fallen leaves, so I got a rake and raked them. The previous year, the same sight was overwhelming and just made me want to cry and, after a few halfhearted attempts, I gave up. I am probably still somewhat less energetic than before the polymyalgia, but I no longer feel like the Earth’s gravitational field has doubled (maybe tripled). (Link expired)

I also have PMR... The standard treatment, prednisone, had worked OK at relieving the pain and stiffness, but I was still staggering around with fatigue... I can't tell whether I'd have needed more prednisone without the parasites (PMR is exceedingly variable), but the fatigue is greatly decreased and my allergies to fruit, poison ivy, and pollen have gone away. [14]

I have been donating Necator americanus (NA) to someone who is currently 67 and had been prescribed Methotrexate and Prednisone for wide ranging autoimmune pain diagnosed as polymyalgia rheumatica. He was clearly struggling when I mentioned NA to him. His first dose was 5 NA and we have dosed every 3 months or so with small doses. He hasn’t had any issues, possibly just a headache one time. We have been gradually increasing the amount of NA and, two weeks after the last dose, he was in such pain with his right hand and wrist that he couldn’t work and went to his GP begging for pain relief, However, he didn’t take the drugs that were prescribed because the pain had gone the next morning, just short of 12 months after his first inoculation. Since then, his pain levels are the lowest they have been in five years and his work is so much easier. All the evidence points to the hookworms being responsible as he is not taking any other medication. He says ‘The difference was sudden and amazing. My pain levels are still really low and the relief is fantastic.’ (Edited. Original link expired)

I had PMR. After 18 months I dosed three times with NA, and it absolutely helped. I had tried to lower prednisone - terrible pain - and after I began the hookworms it improved with each dose. Now I am totally clear... I’m 80, run four miles a day and swim a mile. I could not walk without pain before. [15]

Primary sclerosing cholangitis[edit | edit source]

2007 May An inverse relationship between autoimmune liver diseases and Strongyloides stercoralis infection | Full text

I used helminths to treat psc. It did help reduce the symptoms. [16]

Rheumatoid arthritis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Scleroderma[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and scleroderma

Sjogren's syndrome[edit | edit source]

This might not be related:

2014 Mar Thrombocytopenia caused by albendazole in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome: A case report -- Full text

The anectodal evidence

The first two reports are more detailed than the quotes that follow them.

Treating lupus and Sjogren's disease with hookworms

What you Sjo (Using NA and HDC to treat Sjogren's syndrome).

"This is awesome, I am almost 50 so the scar tissue damage is never going away, but I have a huge increase in saliva in my mouth, my eyes have tears and my skin is very different. I lost about 20 lbs and my digestive system is much different. Also my desire for sugar which was the only thing that made me salivate is gone. My energy level is much better. I go weeks without having to take a nap or go to bed. I think everyone should get the worms." (Reported in a private discussion, Apr 2012)

"...had saliva in my mouth at night...unheard of for me!" (Link expired)

The following reports were all posted by the same person.
- (Oct 2008) "The Doctor raved at how my tear production had returned to normal..." (Link expired)
- (Jan 2009) "After a half a year, I consider my treatment successful beyond what I have hoped for." (Link expired)
- (Jul 2010) "Overall, I am in a state of joy at being able to blink and talk without constant eye drops, etc." (Link expired)
- (Apr 2011) "My terrible symptoms have left me, and as a result, my quality of life has changed for the better." (Link expired)
- (July 2017) “So I decided to get my Sjogren's specific antibodies retested. (They) are now at 8!! So my good news continues... For a price of $3 per day necator americanus is a bargain for me!” [17]

“I wanted to let you know how I am doing. Starting in mid-May I experienced a great increase in energy - not to the "bounce" level, but much better than it's been for the past 4 years. That has remained steady. Also, I have secondary sjogrens, which means I also have rheumatoid arthritis. Luckily it was inactive until December, when it became quite painful in my right hand. In addition to my anti-inflammatory diet, I became stricter by adding another diet I heard about. Soon my hand felt much better. I could not stick to it and realized after I stopped that my hand feeling so much better was due to the worms, not the diet. I now only have rare twinges. I don't know where I'd be without the two improvements I do have.” (Reported in a private message, July 2013)

“I've been on HW for over a year and it's been very effective for the Sjogren's. It's lessened the dry eyes considerably, the dry mouth completely, and it has greatly eased some neuropathic issues that are related. The abdominal side effects have been very hard on me, however, and, unlike for many, the treatment has increased my food allergies significantly. That aside, I do recommend giving it a try. It took about 18 weeks to kick in with Sjogren's symptom relief.” (Link expired)

“Before I started this therapy, I felt so lack lustre and generally unwell I wanted to stay home … and didn’t want to live for another 30 years (I was 50 then) as I thought life would be too tedious, fatiguing and painful … my quality of life sat at about 3-4 out of 10. Pretty dreary most of the time … 21 months into Hookworm therapy a lot has changed … I enjoy life and am happy. I have a quality of life that is often at about 8-9 most of the time. I can exercise most days. I can engage with my family and friends and I can go out a lot more and go away now. I now sweat, after the 3rd month of hookworm inoculation, and my mouth is a lot less dry. I use half of the eye drops I used to use and I haven’t had an eye flare up since I started the hookworms. I handled this last summer’s heat that lasted 6 months and was one of the hottest on record … and I have worked outside in 30C heat painting! I would never have achieved that 18 months ago. My skin and nails have improved big time … I have more energy in general and my head is a lot clear. I’m not in a haze the whole time. And best of all, I seem to be improving over time still … It probably took 15 months before I really started to feel WELL.” [18]

“I have lupus bloods but all symptoms can be explained by sjogrens. I started helminth therapy in August last year (7 months ago) and have had 2 doses of 25 HW… my fatigue has improved - I would guess it is only about 10% of what it was. I think because of this my 'brian fog' has gone. All other SS symptoms still progressing though - but early days and I intend to have 1 or 2 further top ups in the next few months.” (Link expired) Full media article here.

“(I have) Lupus, Sjogrens, MCS and Food Allergies. I had diagnosed positive to Schrimers test as well as dry eye exam with split lamp. I'm ANA positive speckled SSB AB. I’ve had 25 NA for 1 year. I would go days without speaking to people because I had such significant mouth pain and my throat was so dry I could not swallow, tongue would be burned at the tip just from talking. It really took quite some time for the worms to get in their stride, but saliva and mucosal protection is now astounding. My dry eye also improved where before it felt like plaster. Joint pain is also improved. Heat regulatory system is better as well and not as much swelling in the hands. I itch, but no swelling or internal burning. But, just given the mouth benefits are life changing.” [19]

“I was diagnosed with Sjogrens about 15 years ago, after several years of symptoms, particularly dry eyes, photophobia, brain fog, inflammation and fatigue. Food intolerances began about 10 years ago. Eliminating wheat and dairy improved symptoms somewhat, but not entirely. I started with NA two years ago, seeing positive results after 9 months. Dosage has been conservative (4 doses of 5, 5, 10, 5) and inconsistent. However, I can clearly see improvement in all symptoms. When viable doses were not available, I saw a return of symptoms.” (Link expired)

“I lived for many years with Sjogren’s Syndrome - fatigue, dryness, joint and muscle pain, cognitive limitations, food intolerances. Hookworms have saved me from a deteriorating life. Positive results were slow to come, but so worth it. (Nine months and 3-4 inoculations of 5 worms each.) Ultimately, I know that I need worms to function well. I am 66 years old and walked 85 miles in 6 days - historic Cotswold Trails. Never could have managed this without worms.” [20]

“HT has been the most useful treatment, helping reduce most of my symptoms, particularly flares.” [21] Full 10.5 month update here.

"I started with 3NA in January of 2020 then 5NA in May of 2020 but didn't feel much response. I know it can take up to 2 years but the pain was really impacting my whole life (especially as a marathon runner, it was devastating to not be able to even walk with a crutch). I added 2500 TSO every 2 weeks for 10 doses starting in July of 2020 and I haven't had a major flare since. I still dose about 600 TSO every 2 weeks and 10-12NA 2-3x per year and I'd say I've achieved about 90% improvement." [22]

Type 1 diabetes[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and diabetes: Type 1 diabetes (T1D)

Ulcerative colitis[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Complementary and alternative treatments[edit | edit source]

See

2009 Induction of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells by Vitamin D Receptor Agonists (Chapter of Dendritic Cells)