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.
23 responses so far ↓
1 Judy Stephenson // Nov 13, 2007 at 6:03 am
The FDa denial to Dmso is travesty to AMErican arthritis suffering. I have used vet DMSO for 1 yr and healed soft tissue injuries from rollover auto accident. We need to demand more clinicals to add more uses of this remarkable drug
2 Brenda // Nov 19, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Judy,
What are your thoughts on using DMSO to soften scar tissue caused by a serious traffic accident?
3 leclaycomb // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:30 am
Postal zip is 15801-2758. Became very excited about DMSO when I finally found it on the Internet as per Kevin Tredeau’s book. I have not used this and would like to start using it as it hit me as an answer. I am fed up with”live with the pain, there is nothing that can make things better” I absolutely don’t agree . I am 73, wife 72. She fell, broke her wrist and has lost strength, motion, her doctors brush her off. Myself right knee replacement Oct.2007, 3 blood clots below knee previously, don’t have enough motion so I thought DMSO would help. Feel strongly it will. So I need you all to inform me the price, size to order, total amount to send as I will probably send a M.O. to make things faster. I disposed of all credit cards a while back. The videos are blurry and incomplete, but I remain excited. Also, I am tired of being laughed at. Can hardly wait to hear from you.
4 leclaycomb // Jun 26, 2008 at 12:47 am
We are 72/73. Want to try DMSO asap for pain at knee and pain at wrist bones for wife (she fell & broke her wrist 6 wks. ago ) Need to know size, price to my residence. Will send M.O. when I know. New customer here sso what you all decide is fine as I am excited about your product.
5 Brenda // Jun 29, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Hi Leclacomb,
I’m very sorry, but we don’t sell DMSO on this site. I suggest you go to http://www.jacoblab.com to purchase DMSO and also check http://www.dmso.org for information about DMSO. I’ve removed your telephone from this site to you won’t get any unwanted calls.
I hope DMSO works for you and your wife. Please come back and tell us how it goes.
Very best wishes,
Brenda
6 Dr. A.K. Smith // Mar 27, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Wondering about “topical health formulas” containing significant amount of DMSO as to FDA, FCC, etc., regulations?
Can find nothing definitive anywhere about products containing DMSO used to solvate certain ingredients not amenable to aqueous, alcohol, prop-glycol, etc. for topical solutions.
Any ideas?
7 Brenda // Apr 5, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Sorry. I can’t help you with this question. I imagine the FDA or the FCC would be the places to contact. Good luck.
8 DMSO Stops Herpes and Coldsore Outbreaks Fast | How2GetHealthy // Jun 4, 2009 at 7:34 am
[...] Read more about DMSO here. [...]
9 Elizabeth // Jul 2, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I was first introduced to DMSO when my horse slipped into a ground hog hole and badly injured her leg–applying it a couple of times a day for several weeks was the only thing that gave her any relief–after discovering how much the veterinarian solution helped her, I seared for the “human” variety, and found I could order the cream, gel, and liquid at a specialized vitamin store. For me, the liquid seems to work the best. I use it for very painful arthritic problems.
10 Ed Shaw // Sep 17, 2009 at 12:01 am
Over 40 years ago I heard about DMSO and since I was suffering from severe bursitis in my right shoulder, I went to a veterinary supplier who had it 55 gallon drums. He drew off a pint bottle for me and I took it home, scrupulously washed the painful area, as advised by the supplier and applied the DMSO topically. I did this for less than 1 month and have not been bothered with pain since. I can highly recommend DMSO to any sufferer.
11 Pattie // Sep 28, 2009 at 12:20 am
I have suffered from Muscular atrophy in my shoulder since tearing my rotator cuff. Some times the pain got unbearable. I was told by my doctor you can either have surgery to scrape the bone which could give you a little more freedom but no guarantee, learn to live with it or take medications that you could get addicted to to ease the pain.
NO way after all the rehab I have done am I going to go back in to surgery that may not work or take drugs to get by.
One day my granny seeing that I was in pain told me she had something that would take care of it. I asked her what it was… horse liniment she said. I WORKED.
Latter I found out it was DMSO I have used it ever since when I start to hurt which after using it for about 3 months is less and less often. right now I can get a 4oz jar for $2.99 at my local Tractor Supply store so I hope the FDA never regulates it because then the price will go up and you will need a Rx for it!
DMSO has saved my life!
12 Brenda // Oct 11, 2009 at 4:48 pm
That’s a really helpful post! Thanks Pattie!
13 Allison // Oct 26, 2009 at 10:06 am
Hi,
my sister has a herpes outbreak on her upper lip and DMSO was suggested. We live in Germany and can’t get it here but a friend who will be visiting from the US offered to bring some. I found a comment somewhere that suggested that the stuff available from health food shops was not such a good idea to use and that from a pharmacy was better but that this would require a prescription which we, of course, do not have. Can anyone suggest the one that will be best to buy without a prescription, that will be safe to use for this or any other condition in people.
Many thanks
Allison
14 Brenda // Nov 1, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I’ve bought it online and had it shipped to the UK.
I used http://www.painease.com
I also like the look of http://www.jacoblab.com
Good luck
15 Dr. A.K. Smith // Nov 2, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Your comments on DMSO purity are somewhat misleading as DMSO is manufactured by only one company in the US – Gaylord Inc. in Louisiana, and while they offer a couple of grades, if you study their tech literature you will find eveything they make is virtually the same ( quite pure) which is quite safe to use.
While DMSO is useful, it’s “miracle” results in arthritis are greatly overplayed, however if one can get in on a trauma site such as a sprain or bone break within minutes of the event, DMSO does do some amazing things.
Dr. Stanley Jacobs was one of my professors in med school and his problems with the FDA are very interesting.
And, for what it’s worth, what the FDA’s actual position on DMSO is, is quite unclear and they will not comment on this issue..
16 Brenda // Nov 7, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Many thanks for this Dr. Smith. I wasn’t aware of Gaylord. They are indeed the only manufacturer in the Americas.
I was just on their website and they look to be manufacturers/wholesalers. I didn’t see how I could actually purchase DSMO from them in smaller quantities. So for us consumers health food shops and online retailers are where we look for DMSO.
Thanks for the endorsement of Dr Jacob. He sells DMSO online at reasonable prices.
I notice that you posted a while back. Were you able to find what you were looking for?
I came across a thread on a body building site when I was trying to find out more about DMSO and soft tissue. There might be something of interest here: http://www.mindandmuscle.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=37297&pid=537713&mode=threaded&start=#entry537713
Thanks so much for coming back and updating.
Brenda
17 Lynne // Dec 24, 2009 at 8:48 pm
you say this about jacoblab.com:
“There are good instructions on how to use it, useful FAQs and research papers.” i only see products for sale there, no information on the products themselves or how to use them.
18 Brenda // Dec 27, 2009 at 10:22 am
Sorry. Try his info site:
http://www.dmso.org/
Remember, because DMSO is not supported by the FDA, people are careful about what they say about it.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes!
19 Lynne // Dec 27, 2009 at 3:43 pm
thank you!
20 Judy // Mar 25, 2010 at 3:18 am
Can anyone tell me if this product should be crystalized in the container it comes in? My bottle, supposedly 99% pure, has crystalized in the liquid and ‘rattles’ when I shake the bottle. New to DMSO, I’m concerned about using this particular bottle until I get an answer. Thanks!
21 Brenda // Mar 31, 2010 at 3:13 am
Hi Judy,
I’m not sure. I’ve had a bottle of 99% for a couple of years and it hasn’t crystalized. I hope some of the other people who comment can help.
22 Ruben Licera Jr.@ joint pain, arthritis symptoms, arthritis pain // Jul 5, 2010 at 6:59 am
In choosing analgesics, the severity and response to other medication determines the choice of agent.
23 Nadrattiltgug // Jul 30, 2010 at 6:01 am
I have a few quicktime files that I want to add to a DVD to watch. How would I go about doing that?
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