Methylene blue is actually used to treat acquired cases of a similar condition called methemeglobinemia which is when the iron in heme is oxide from Fe2+ to Fe3+ [1]. This is different from carbon monoxide poisoning which is caused by carbon monoxide binding more tightly to hemoglobin than oxygen preventing oxygen from effectively getting into your blood.
Ahh I bet that is where the confusion is. I am a physician and I have used methylene blue in severe shock and methemoglobinemia but I was a bit worried the parent comment believed it’s a valid CO treatment.
Initially suspecting that since CO poisoning and methemeglobinemia are not the same, methylene blue might not work in CO cases, I did about three seconds of web searching and found a 1933 paper about an experiment (on animals) showing methylene blue to be effective in CO poisoning.
IANAMD I made a quick search and the evidence of methylene blue as a carbon monoxide antidote looks controversial.
IIUC part of the effect is oxidizing/reducing the iron atom in the hemoglobin, and that changes how strong is the bound with the O2, CO, NO. But my chemistry is not enough to give a good guess of the results.
Given that MB is commonly supported by those with right leaning politics, if the above is true, it won't be reported on for risk of appearing to support the "wrong" party.
Well, money would be the most obvious one, but the parent comment is talking about the anti-science regime currently in power in the USA. I can't remember which, but I thought I read they banned some effective treatments because RFK Jr (famous conspiracy theorist now in charge of the country's health) didn't believe in them. They shut down research into mRNA medicines. at least, because they think it's population control to keep you docile, or something like that. There was also a mass shooting at a CDC office on similar grounds.
"hey, speeding down the highway 35mph over the limit could kill you, especially if you are fat and old. you SHOULD drive under the speed limit, but you don't have to."
No, the point is that it could kill other people. Speed all you want when you're on your own private roads.
Laws are generally meant to ensure public safety and the ability for us to live and cooperate together with mutual trust. They usually do end up restricting your personal freedoms to that end. Deal with it.
