Since we started Waves of Wellbeing, we've answered a lot of questions about Methylene Blue. Some come through our website, some come from curious people on Instagram, some come in messages that start with "this might be a silly question but…"
There are no silly questions here. It's a genuinely unusual compound, and good questions deserve clear answers.
Below are the ones we hear most often.
"Why is my urine blue?"
This is probably the most common question from people using Methylene Blue for the first time, and it's completely expected.
Methylene Blue is excreted through the kidneys. After use, your urine will turn blue or blue-green for several hours. The exact timing and intensity varies depending on how much was used and individual metabolism, but it's entirely normal and temporary. It will return to its normal colour within a day.
If you want to minimise the blue appearance, drinking plenty of water helps dilute the colour. But there's no health reason to be concerned about it.
"Will it stain my teeth or mouth?"
Temporarily, yes. Methylene Blue is a dye, and it will colour your lips, tongue, and teeth blue for a short period.
This fades naturally within a few hours. Rinsing your mouth with water immediately after use reduces the staining significantly. Using a straw so the solution bypasses direct contact with your teeth is another practical tip that many people find helpful.
It's temporary and harmless — just a visual effect of the compound's intense colour.
Take extra care with dentures or veneers however, they may stain.
"What does '1%' mean?"
A 1% solution means that 1 gram of Methylene Blue is dissolved in 100 millilitres of liquid — giving a concentration of 10 milligrams per millilitre.
This is the most common concentration available for this category of product. It's also a standard reference concentration in research settings, which is part of why it's become the norm.
"What does 'pharmaceutical grade' actually mean? Is it important?"
It's genuinely important — not just a marketing phrase.
Methylene Blue is produced at different purity levels for different purposes. Industrial grade is used in textile manufacturing. Laboratory grade is used for scientific staining experiments. Neither is manufactured with human exposure in mind.
Pharmaceutical grade (USP grade) is manufactured to the standards of the United States Pharmacopeia — a rigorous independent standards organisation. It requires purity above 98%, strict limits on heavy metals, and verification of concentration. These standards exist because the synthesis of Methylene Blue introduces metallic contaminants that need to be removed and independently verified as absent.
If a product doesn't specify pharmaceutical or USP grade, it's worth asking what grade it actually is.
All of our Methylene Blue is pharmaceutical/USP grade — and independently verified to confirm it meets that standard.
"How do I know your product is actually pure and properly tested?"
Fair question. The answer is: we test it independently, every batch, at a named NATA-accredited laboratory.
Every batch of our Methylene Blue 1% Solution is tested by the Charles Sturt University Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) in Wagga Wagga — a NATA-accredited facility. We test for purity, concentration, and heavy metals.
We are the only Australian Methylene Blue brand that publicly names its testing laboratory. If you'd like to see our Certificate of Analysis for the current batch, just ask — we'll send it.
"How should I store it?"
Store in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. A cupboard or drawer is fine. Refrigeration is not required.
Keep the cap secure between uses. Methylene Blue is stable when stored correctly.
"Will it stain my clothes if I spill it?"
Yes, it will — it's a concentrated dye. This is probably the most important practical thing to know about handling it.
The good news is that Methylene Blue stains are manageable, especially when treated promptly. The compound has a chemically reducible form — meaning certain agents like ascorbic acid, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide can convert it to a colourless form that washes out more easily.
We wrote a full guide on stain removal covering skin, fabric, carpet, and hard surfaces — worth reading before you start.
We also make Blue Rescue, a purpose-made stain remover for exactly this. Having it alongside your Methylene Blue solution from the start makes handling much more relaxed. It's included in our Expanded Starter Kit.
"Can I use it if I'm on antidepressants?"
This is one of the most important questions anyone on antidepressants can ask — and the honest answer is: please speak with your doctor or pharmacist first, because this is a real and serious consideration.
Methylene Blue inhibits an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO), which is involved in breaking down serotonin. When combined with medications that also increase serotonin — including SSRIs (like Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro), SNRIs (like Effexor, Cymbalta), MAOIs, and other antidepressants — there is a genuine risk of serotonin syndrome, which can range from mild symptoms to a serious medical emergency.
This is not an abundance-of-caution disclaimer. It's a real, documented interaction risk.
If you take antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or any medication that affects serotonin or mood — please consult your GP before considering Methylene Blue. We have a dedicated post on Methylene Blue and medications that covers this in full detail.
"What about G6PD deficiency?"
People with G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) deficiency should not use Methylene Blue. The enzyme G6PD plays a critical role in protecting red blood cells — in its absence, Methylene Blue can cause haemolytic anaemia. This is a firm contraindication.
G6PD deficiency is more common in people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian descent. Many people don't know they have it. If you're unsure, your GP can arrange a blood test.
"Is it safe to use during pregnancy?"
No. Methylene Blue is contraindicated during pregnancy. Clinical evidence links it to fetal abnormalities when administered during pregnancy. Avoid use entirely while pregnant or trying to conceive.
If you are breastfeeding, there is no safety data for Methylene Blue in breast milk, and the cautious approach is to avoid use.
"Why don't you make health claims about what it does?"
Because under Australian law, making therapeutic claims — statements about treating, curing, preventing, or managing health conditions — requires TGA registration, which is a significant regulatory process.
We've chosen a different path: we focus on what we can verify and represent honestly — pharmaceutical-grade purity, independent NATA-accredited testing, Australian manufacture, and consistent quality. We believe that's the right foundation, and we leave broader exploration to our customers and the ongoing research community.
We also think the brand voice that says "here's what we know, here's what we test, and here's what you should ask your doctor about" is more trustworthy than one that makes bold claims we can't back up under scrutiny.
"I have a question that's not here — can I ask you directly?"
Always. We're a small, founder-led business and we read every message. If you have a question about our products, testing, handling, or anything else — reach out. We'll give you a straight answer.
— The Waves of Wellbeing Team
This product is not registered with the TGA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.