Helminthic Therapy
Working with the body, not against it
Working with the body, not against it
Helminthic therapy involves the reintroduction of a controlled number of safe, mutualistic helminths — microscopic organisms that can help retrain the immune system toward balance. This approach helps restore microbial relationships that have been lost in modern environments.
Rather than suppressing symptoms, this approach encourages the body to self-regulate its immune responses, often resulting in a calmer, less reactive state.
By gently restoring an ancient relationship between humans and their microbial environment, helminthic therapy aims to support long-term immune harmony.
***Understanding this is key to why this intervention may help***
The Biota Alteration Theory explains that changes in our environment and lifestyle — such as widespread antibiotic use, modern sanitation, water treatment, indoor living, and reduced contact with soil and nature — have disrupted the balance of organisms that make up the human biota — the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes (including helminths) that live in and on us.
While these developments have saved countless lives, they’ve also contributed to a loss of microbial diversity that helps regulate immune function. When this ecosystem becomes altered or depleted, the immune system can become unstable and overly reactive, sometimes attacking harmless substances or even the body’s own tissues. This chronic overactivation contributes to a wide range of inflammatory and immune-related conditions, including:
Autoimmune disorders
Allergies and asthma
Digestive dysfunction
Mood and neuropsychiatric imbalances
Cardiovascular and metabolic disease
Helminthic therapy is an emerging, evidence-informed approach that supports immune balance by reintroducing microscopic organisms that co-evolved with humans for millennia. These organisms, called mutualistic helminths, can help retrain an overactive immune system without suppressing it — encouraging a calmer, more balanced response to everyday triggers.
The term helminths refers to a diverse group of worms, including roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. While many are harmful and cause disease, research suggests that certain mutualistic helminths may actually offer potential benefits.
Unlike harmful parasites, a mutualistic helminth forms a cooperative relationship with its human host, often helping to regulate immune function and promote balance rather than inflammation.
In traditional human environments, these organisms were a normal part of the ecosystem that helped keep the immune system stable. However, with modern sanitation and reduced contact with soil, animals, and natural environments, most people in industrialized societies no longer carry helminths at all.
Studies show that certain mutualistic helminths may help teach the immune system how to respond more appropriately — encouraging balance rather than overreaction. They do not reproduce in humans and can be used safely under professional guidance.
Pig whipworm (Trichuris suis, TSO) – taken orally as a drink.
Human hookworm (Necator americanus, NA or HW) – applied to the skin (transdermal).
Human whipworm (Trichuris trichiura, TTO) – taken orally as a drink.
Rat tapeworm (Hymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids, HDC) – taken orally as a drink.
Each organism has unique characteristics, dosing patterns, and durations of activity. Selection should be guided by an experienced practitioner.
Is Helminthic Therapy Safe?
The helminths used in this approach are carefully selected for safety and compatibility with humans.
They are non-reproducing, do not cause disease and naturally die off over time.
Effects are dose-dependent and can be adjusted or discontinued at any time.
Mild side effects, such as temporary fatigue or digestive changes, may occur as the immune system adapts.
Helminthic therapy should be done under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
This therapy is not FDA-approved and is considered experimental. It may not be appropriate during pregnancy, active infection, or severe immunosuppression. All information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.
If you’re curious about participating in a structured pilot designed to explore helminthic therapy in a guided, educational format, you can learn more below.
Peer-reviewed Research
Abdoli, A., & Mirzaian Ardakani, H. (2020). Potential application of helminth therapy for resolution of neuroinflammation in neuropsychiatric disorders. Metabolic Brain Disease, 35(1), 95–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-019-00466-5
Bilbo, S. D., Wray, G. A., Perkins, S. E., & Parker, W. (2011). Reconstitution of the human biome as the most reasonable solution for epidemics of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Medical Hypotheses, 77(4), 494–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2011.06.019
Fleming, J. O., & Weinstock, J. V. (2015). Clinical trials of helminth therapy in autoimmune diseases: rationale and results. Parasite Immunology, 37(6), 277–292. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25907344/
Graham-Rowe, D. (2011). Lifestyle: When allergies go west. Nature, 479(Suppl 7374), S2–S4. https://doi.org/10.1038/479S2a
Kelly, J. R., Minuto, C., Cryan, J. F., Clarke, G., & Dinan, T. G. (2017). Cross talk: The microbiota and neurodevelopmental disorders. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11, 490. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2017.00490
Maizels, R. M. (2020). Regulation of immunity and allergy by helminth parasites. Allergy, 75(3), 524–534. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31714643/
Parker, W. (2017). Biota alteration theory: A unifying proposal. Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses, 47(5), 173–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medmal.2017.03.001
Parker, W., & Ollerton, J. (2013). Evolutionary biology and anthropology suggest biome reconstitution as a necessary approach toward dealing with immune disorders. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, 2013(1), 89–103. https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eot008
Rook, G. A. (2013). Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity from the natural environment: an ecosystem service essential to health. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 110(46), 18360–18367. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24218556/
Shi, W., Xu, N., Wang, X., Vallée, I., Liu, M., & Liu, X. (2022). Helminth therapy for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: Current and future perspectives. Journal of Inflammation Research, 15, 475–491. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S348079
Smallwood, T. B., Giacomin, P. R., Loukas, A., Mulvenna, J. P., Clark, R. J., & Miles, J. J. (2017). Helminth immunomodulation in autoimmune disease. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, 453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00453
Thavagnanam, S., Fleming, J., Bromley, A., Shields, M. D., & Cardwell, C. R. (2008). A meta-analysis of the association between Caesarean section and childhood asthma. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 38(4), 629–633. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.02939.x
Williamson, L. L., et al. (2016). Got worms? Perinatal exposure to helminths prevents persistent immune sensitization and cognitive dysfunction induced by early-life infection. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 51, 14–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2015.07.025
Educational & Informational Resources
Helminthic Therapy Wiki – Community-maintained reference of studies, protocols, and practitioner experiences.
Velasquez-Manoff, M. (2012). An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases. Scribner.
Rook, G. The Hygiene Hypothesis and Darwinian Medicine. (Book, 2010).