Let’s start with the obvious: if someone had told me years ago that I’d be researching parasitic worms as a healing tool, I would have smiled politely and backed away slowly. But here we are. And honestly? It makes a strange kind of sense.
Welcome to the world of helminthic therapy—a scientifically fascinating, slightly squirmy, and surprisingly hopeful approach to calming the immune system, healing the gut, and maybe even soothing conditions like fibromyalgia.
(Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog series is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I do my best to present well-researched content—sprinkled with humor and honesty—I am not a doctor, and this blog should not be considered medical advice.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan or trying any new therapy, including helminthic (TSO) therapy. What works for one person may not be right for another, especially when managing complex conditions like fibromyalgia.
Worms are fascinating—but still experimental. Proceed thoughtfully and never purchase or use any biological therapy without proper guidance and safety precautions.)
So… what is helminthic therapy?
In short? It’s the deliberate introduction of tiny, carefully selected parasitic organisms into the human body—typically the gut—with the goal of regulating the immune system. Think of it as rebooting your internal operating system with nature’s original software. But instead of a hard drive, it’s… well, worm eggs.
Before you panic, these aren’t the kind of parasites that get you on a Discovery Channel documentary. We’re not talking about brain-eating amoebas or horror-movie tapeworms. The most common helminths used in therapy are:
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Trichuris suis ova (TSO): Pig whipworm eggs (don’t worry—they can’t reproduce or colonize in humans).
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Necator americanus: A type of hookworm sometimes used for longer-term immune modulation.
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For the purposes of this series, we’re focusing on TSO, because it’s the gentlest and safest of the bunch. It’s like the kindergarten teacher of the parasite world—here to calm the chaos, pass out snacks (okay, not really), and make sure everyone plays nice.
The weird science behind it
So why would anyone do this?
It turns out, our immune systems may have gotten a bit too good at their jobs—especially in modern, hyper-sanitized environments. Thanks to antibiotics, bleach wipes, filtered water, and a general war on germs, our bodies aren’t exposed to the same microbes and critters we evolved alongside for thousands of years.
Cue the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that this lack of exposure might be one reason for the explosion in autoimmune conditions, allergies, and inflammatory diseases. Basically, your immune system gets bored, paranoid, and overreactive—like a security guard with no real threats who starts tackling customers for blinking too fast.
Helminths offer a surprising solution: they give your immune system a purpose, distracting it from attacking your own tissues. They reduce inflammation, promote regulatory immune cells, and can even help repair the gut lining.
What it looks like in real life
In practical terms, helminthic therapy often involves:
Swallowing a small liquid vial containing microscopic TSO eggs (usually every few weeks)
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Monitoring your body’s response
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Working with a practitioner (ideally) who understands both chronic illness and the nuances of this therapy
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You won’t feel anything crawling. You won’t sprout tentacles. And you definitely won’t be passing snakes in the bathroom. These organisms are microscopic, harmless in humans, and naturally expelled after a few weeks. It’s more like hosting temporary peacekeepers than a full-on parasite party.
Why this isn’t as fringe as it sounds
It may sound wild, but helminthic therapy has been explored in clinical trials for:
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Crohn’s disease
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Ulcerative colitis
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MS
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Autism spectrum disorders
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Allergies
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Asthma
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And now, people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other mystery syndromes are starting to ask: Could this help me, too?
A note of caution (and curiosity)
Is this therapy for everyone? No. Is it a guaranteed miracle cure? Also no.
But for people like us—those of us living with misunderstood, invisible illnesses and trying to actually feel like ourselves again—sometimes exploring the edges of science is exactly what we need.
At the very least, helminthic therapy is a fascinating glimpse into how much we still don’t know about the immune system, the gut, and the role of microbes (and yes, even worms) in healing.
In the next post, I’ll explore how this therapy might help people with fibromyalgia specifically.
Spoiler alert: it has less to do with worms and more to do with what they convince your body to stop doing.
Very good
Awesome
Good