Helminthic therapy

Helminthic therapy is the reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic larvae or eggs to reconstitute a depleted microbiome to treat and prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immunological disorders including allergy.

Theory
Humans and our primate ancestors have hosted helminths for many millions of years, during which time we and our worms have coevolved to the point at which we now need some of them in order to maintain optimum immune function.

There are many helminths that can cause disease but, in the early years of the twenty-first century, four safe, mutualistic helminth species were domesticated and have been made available commercially for use in therapy.


 * The history of helminthic therapy


 * Introduction to helminthic therapy

Evidence
There is no evidence from clinical trials to support the use of helminthic therapy in ME/CFS. However, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting that this therapy can provide a degree of relief in at least some cases.


 * Helminthic therapy personal stories: ME/CFS

There is considerable evidence, both from formal science and the anecdotal reports of self-treaters, to support the use of helminthic therapy in autoimmune, inflammatory and allergic diseases, some of which can occur concurrently with ME/CFS.


 * Helminthic therapy research


 * Helminthic therapy personal stories

Safety
Helminthic therapy is very safe if used sensibly by knowledgeable individuals.


 * Helminthic therapy safety

However, anyone with ME/CFS needs to take special care with dosing.


 * Patients with some conditions need to start with micro doses

Costs & availability
For details about each of the currently available therapeutic helminths, and how they compare, see this page.
 * Selecting a therapeutic helminth

The following link provides full details about the companies that sell these organisms and what they cost.
 * Providers of therapeutic helminths

Customer feedback about the service provided by these companies is available on a separate page.
 * Helminth provider reviews

Medical support
Helminthic therapy is currently not approved for use by doctors anywhere in the world, so few doctors are willing to condone it, fearing the loss of their license if they do. As a result of this, the therapy has been developed by patients who treat themselves. In 2015, the number of individuals worldwide who were self-treating with helminths was estimated at between 6,000 and 7,000.


 * Overcoming Evolutionary Mismatch by Self-Treatment with Helminths: Current Practices and Experience

In the vast majority of cases where patients are self-treating, their doctors are willing to continue to provide them with routine medical care while the patient arranges for, and pursues, helminthic therapy independently.


 * Helminthic therapy: Working with a doctor

There are several health professionals with extensive experience of helminthic therapy who offer one-to-one educational consultations about the therapy. This service may be valuable to anyone wanting to understand if and how helminthic therapy self-treatment might be of value in improving their health.


 * Helminthic therapy practitioners

Learn more

 * Helminths & ME
 * Selecting a therapeutic helminth
 * Helminth providers
 * Helminthic therapy research
 * Helminthic therapy in the media
 * Helminthic therapy personal stories
 * The Helminthic Therapy wiki
 * Are Worms the Next Probiotic? - Michael Ruscio interviews William Parker (includes podcast download link), Dr. Ruscio Radio
 * Hook me up! Treating Autoimmune Disease with Hookworms - A report on the successful use of hookworms to treat guttate psoriasis
 * Microbiome Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders - YouTube video
 * Life On Us: A Microscopic Safari. A two hour, two-part video documentary. The second part has a lengthy segment on helminths and helminthic therapy starting from 15 minutes. - VHX (Free on Amazon Prime)
 * The Worms Inside Me: My experiment with helminthic therapy - book by Beth Anderson