How2GetHealthy

DMSO has many benefits. Sports teams and Olympic athletes use DMSO as a pain killer and to reduce swelling. Arthritis sufferers use it to reduce joint pain and improve their quality of life. It is used to prevent herpes outbreaks, treat scar tissue and other skin conditions. But what is DMSO and why is it such a controversial product in the USA?

DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide, a by-product in converting trees to paper. It has industrial uses as an antifreeze and as a solvent for wide range of chemicals. There is also a wide range of medical uses. DMSO has a remarkable capacity to penetrate skin and tissue and enter the bloodstream. It can also carry substances with it into the bloodstream, and while DMSO itself has a very low index of toxicity, any toxins present from negligent manufacturing processes can be potentially dangerous.
Compared to many drugs it is very safe with few side effects (skin irritation, a garlicky smell). Nonetheless, the FDA has only approved it for the treatment of a singe rare condition because there is apparently little proof of its effectiveness for treating other conditions.
Research is scarce and difficult to get financed because DMSO is not a substance that pharmaceutical companies can patent and make money on. It is also difficult to undertake double blind studies to eliminate the placebo effect because of the garlic taste and smell. The medical community and the FDA are concerned by the lack of rigorous research to confirm the benefits and ensure its safety.
However, it is widely used in the former Soviet Union and other countries around the world and a trial conducted by the Japanese Rheumatism Association concluded that DMSO relieved joint pain and increased range of joint motion and grip strength.

There are three grades of DMSO: industrial grade (contains toxins and is not for use with humans or animals); veterinary grade (widely used for race horses); and medical grade which is classed as a prescription drug. In the USA the DMSO that is sold in health food stores and on the internet can only be sold as a solvent. There is no regulation to control how this DMSO is manufactured, for this reason, it is potentially dangerous to use.
There are three very good websites with information about DMSO.
www.Painease.com has some very useful information and a very straight forward approach to producing and selling their products. The evidence presented on their website is based on the personal testimonials of the owner and developer of their products. They clearly state that they use a pure grade of DMSO and not industrial grade. They are also use glass bottles instead of plastic. We are currently trying their DMSO and so far are finding an excellent product.
www.DMSO.org has research and information about DMSO and Dr. Stanley Jacob.

If you don’t like the ‘mom & pop’ look of the painease website try www.jacoblab.com This is Dr Jabob’s company website. They produce and sell DMSO and MSM. It is a serious site based on 40 years of Dr Jabobs work with DMSO. There are good instructions on how to use it, useful FAQs and research papers.

It is important to note here that DMSO is great for treating symptoms while you are trying to find out what the underlying cause of the condition is. For example, it will kill pain of tendinitis, but it will not cure it. It will prevent herpes outbreaks and reduce the swelling and pain of arthritis, but if you stop using it the symptoms will return.

We will be adding recommended applications to this page soon.