Helminthic therapy and arthritis

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Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe a disorder that affects joints.

The scientific evidence[edit | edit source]

There are many more publications on the Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) page. Notably, there are numerous studies on animal models of arthritis.

2026 Jan 20 The IL-33 receptor ST2 as a therapeutic target for hemophilic arthropathy

The parasitic helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus produces H. polygyrus Binds Alarmin Receptor and Inhibits (HpBARI), which binds ST2 with high affinity and outcompetes IL-33 for receptor engagement. Critically, HpBARI ameliorated synovial inflammation in the F8em1-/- mouse model of experimental Hemophilic arthropathy, providing proof-of-concept for ST2 blockade in bleeding-induced joint inflammation.

2025 Nov 4 The burden of osteoarthritis: lifespan matters

In addition, it is suggested that they would have experienced chronic helminthiasis, driving their immune system into a non-inflammatory homeostatic state, and thus protecting from comorbidities encountered in modern industrialized regions

2025 Oct 16 The interleukin-33 receptor (ST2) is a novel therapeutic target to attenuate the progression of hemophilic arthropathy

2025 Oct 8 Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies -- Full text

2025 Aug Schistosoma japonicum-Derived Peptide SJMHE1 Attenuates Osteoarthritis by Promoting Synovial M2 Macrophage Polarisation

2017 Jan 13 Inflammatory arthritis and systemic bone loss are attenuated by gastrointestinal helminth parasites

Here, we show that infection with the natural mouse helminth parasite, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (Hp) not only attenuates the development of arthritis in two different inflammatory arthritis mouse models (...) but also impacts positively on systemic bone metabolism.

2016 Jun 7 Th2 and eosinophil responses suppress inflammatory arthritis -- Full text | PDF.

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to Th2 and eosinophil accumulation in the joints associated with robust inhibition of arthritis and protection from bone loss.

Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder[edit | edit source]

also known as frozen shoulder

Given that the underlying mechanism involves inflammation, helminth therapy is an interesting avenue to explore.

Hemophilic arthropathy[edit | edit source]

The parasitic helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus produces H. polygyrus Binds Alarmin Receptor and Inhibits (HpBARI), which binds ST2 with high affinity and outcompetes IL-33 for receptor engagement. Critically, HpBARI ameliorated synovial inflammation in the F8em1-/- mouse model of experimental Hemophilic arthropathy, providing proof-of-concept for ST2 blockade in bleeding-induced joint inflammation.[1],[2]

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)[edit | edit source]

"As the months after taking them passed, I was increasingly delighted with where things were going… any psoriatic arthritic symptoms I might have had just continued to fade away, my general feeling of well-being was great, my breathing felt easier and easier and my reaction to scents and whatever else that might have sent me off in the past virtually disappeared." (Reported in a private message, Jan 2013)

“It took about two years, to get my psoriatic arthritis under control. I had mostly inflammation of joints to the point of locking. Needed hospitalization and physio. with one episode and azathioprine and steroids to keep under control for many years. I no longer require immunosuppressant drugs. It does take time.” (Reported in a closed group, Apr 2015, by someone who uses NA, TTO, and occasionally TSO)

☹️ “I am coming up on my 3 year Mark in March. I don't believe my hw have worked for me… I have PsA and … I still get bad sinus issues and constantly have post nasal drip. I cannot go without metamucil or I get all bound up… I just hoped my worms would help me... I started with 35 hw and two more instalments. I have topped up 3 times with 10 each time. I had the initial classic diarrhea. Everything was textbook except that I didn't notice anything different.” [3], [4]

"My primary dr asked me to try helminths again because he remembered I did so well the last time I hosted hookworm. He's had at least two patients put psoriatic arthritis into remission with hookworm and that made him a believer." [5]

"Started NA (8 months ago) for psoriatic arthritis. Did 20 NA each 3 mo: Feb, May, Aug. I was able to taper prednisone 15 to 8 mg after 1st dose of worms, then slowly tapering after my 2 subsequent worm treatments. This week off prednisone for first time in 15 months. No pain. [6] Off all my meds since Dec 17 (11 months after first inoculation). [7] I wouldn't say full remission because I have aches and pains here and there but (at 16 months) I'm 90% better.” [8]

"Initial dose of 3 NA February 2022, fourth dose (10 NA) October 2022. No side effects, mild rash only. Meloxicam ran out a week ago and she realized she has had no issues. She feels fine. She also reports swelling in wrist and finger joints practically gone the past several months. Other joints have occasional pain but it goes away overnight. Only remembers antidepressant about half the time. On her way off of them she can tell. Will be increasing NA dosing going forward."

Update 15/04/23. "She still takes her antidepressant about once a week. However, she's totally thrilled about her hands. It has been "years and years" since she was able to get through a winter without excruciating pain and swelling. She doesn't need meloxicam at all; her hands occasionally get sore or swollen but it doesn't require any medication. And her feet have had zero issues at all this winter. She is amazed."

Update 13/09/23. "She continues to take 10 NA, generally every 4-6 weeks. She gets a minimal rash and minimal itching from this and feels no need for any intervention. She considers it extremely mild. She has an old ongoing issue with insomnia which seems be be improving very slowly." (Reported by a friend. [9])

Osteoarthritis[edit | edit source]

Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.

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

Why doctor working in New Zealand infected himself with hookworms (Knee arthritis)
Arthritis, IBD-related non erosive

“I was starting to get early onset osteo, seems to have stopped.” [10]

“In my own case, (osteoarthritis) is well controlled by taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin and Hyaluronic acid, but, having recently forgotten to get a top-up dose of hookworm on time, I noticed a reappearance of discomfort from my affected joints and had to increase the supplements to compensate, so it looks like the worms were helping with this condition.” [11]

☹️ “I have solid osteo in the hips. I have also had NA for about 5 years. No apparent help at all for osteo but good help for hay fever.” [12]

“HDC reduced the inflammation I suffered from osteoarthritis so I feel it indirectly helped.” [13]

“I received my first dose of NA in June 2016 for widespread food and inhalant allergies and arthritis (osteoarthritis since childhood). 10 months later noticed that I was less stiff when getting out of the car. High sensitive C (a measure of inflammation) went down from 11 (very high) to 8 (still very high but progress). Just received new results at the 22 month mark, and my levels are down to 3.99. Although this is still high (it should be 2 or lower), it is the lowest I have seen in my adult life.” [14]

“My osteoarthritis is most evident in my right hand knuckle and spine (back and neck). At 12 weeks post inoculation (with NA), my osteoarthritis improved noticeably, measured by pain in knuckle and 'cricking' noises in my neck during exercises.” (Via email.)

“I have Osteoarthritis in my big toe/foot joint and Coeliac Disease. I was also diagnosed with Polyarthralgia. After getting my 10 NA about 14 months ago and then another 10 about 5 months later I really noticed a difference in the aching joints. My polyarthralgia in my hands and feet have improved immensely and the osteoarthritis is definitely better although I still get pain walking as constantly have to walk using that big toe joint. It was when I lost my colony of NA after having to take a series of courses of antibiotics in early 2018 when my symptoms came back and I really noticed how well I had been with the NA on board.” [15]

Two reports from someone with Crohn's-related arthritis.
- “Amazing! Symptom free and drug free after 33 years of illness! WOW!” (Link expired)
- “I attribute the remission of arthritis to hookworm. It took two years for the arthritis to pretty much disappear. I get achy joints now and again but nothing severe anymore.” [16]

“I had knee pain for 20 years after quitting running, accompanied by a 24/7 warm feeling on the surface around both knees. After my third inoculation of helminths, the warmth went away. I believe it was some form of immune response to the damage in my knees, or perhaps a type of arthritis. Anyway, it's gone...” [17]

“I am about four months along treating UC with Human Whipworm TTO. I experienced an unexpected, but welcome benefit within two weeks of my first dose (50 ova). I had suffered a broken shoulder 12 years ago that was never set properly, so I had a lot of soreness and stiffness in that joint since that time. The second week after starting TT all my joints starting popping profusely for a couple days then settled down, it was then I noticed the pain in my shoulder was easing. Today my shoulder no longer hurts before bed, the pain, stiffness, inflammation is almost nonexistant. I could not fully extend that arm with the broken shoulder over my head before, now I can actually extend it over my shoulder and place my arm behind my head. I never expected this range of motion would ever be possible again after the shoulder injury. I can say TT worked a miracle on my joint pain. (I have dosed a total of 300 TTO to date).” [18]

"I have found an enormous benefit of adding TSO (1250 ova every 2 weeks) to NA for arthritis." [19]

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)[edit | edit source]

See Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (SNRA)[edit | edit source]

"I was diagnosed last summer with seronegative arthritis (just raging constant pain in my hands and feet) with big family history of ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Was miserable taking prednisone 10-20mg daily, methotrexate, and enbrel for the last 7 months. Started hookworms Feb 8 and now down to 6mg prednisone and off methotrexate. Feeling amazing and still tapering the steroids with no issues. This is miraculous stuff." [20]

Still's Disease[edit | edit source]

Helminth dosing in arthritis[edit | edit source]

One practitioner has reported that people with arthritic conditions appeaar to have higher dosing needs than those with many other conditions. She has suggested that, if a self-treater does not experience side effects after a first dose of 5 NA, it may be a good idea to begin to escalate the dose size from the second dose, and that many people with arthritis may eventually need 25, or even more, every 3 months if tolerated, with a possible average of 10 NA every three months. [21]