Dimethyl Sulfoxide, commonly known as DMSO, is a remarkable compound with a multitude of applications and health benefits that have been somewhat overlooked by mainstream medicine. In the United States, it is widely available as a solvent, yet its full potential remains largely untapped by large pharmaceutical companies and the FDA, with only limited approvals for specific medical uses. The secrets of DMSO in health and healing revealed exposes the diverse applications, and its growing popularity among holistic practitioners, natural alternative specialists, folk medicine enthusiasts, and preppers.
DMSO’s journey began in the late 19th century in Germany, where it was discovered as a byproduct of wood pulping. Interestingly, DMSO can also be found naturally in various sources, including fruits, the sea, and the atmosphere. This sulfur-based compound quickly gained attention for its unique properties.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) boasts a wide array of applications, addressing a multitude of health-related issues and conditions. These include its remarkable ability to penetrate biological membranes, anti-inflammatory properties, local analgesia, and even mild bacteriostasis. One of its most significant roles is as a carrier or vehicle for other drugs, augmenting their effectiveness and enhancing their ability to penetrate the skin. This property has immense potential in drug delivery systems.
DMSO is perhaps most renowned as a topical analgesic, often formulated as a 70 percent DMSO, 30 percent water solution. Laboratory studies suggest that DMSO provides pain relief by blocking peripheral nerve C fibers. Several clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness in this regard, offering rapid relief that can last up to six hours. Burns, cuts, sprains, and various painful conditions have all been successfully treated with DMSO, making it a sought-after solution for pain management.
The list of conditions and ailments that DMSO has been used to address is extensive. Some of these include:
1. Diabetic Neuropathy Pain
DMSO has shown promise in alleviating the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, offering relief to individuals grappling with this common complication of diabetes.
2. Varicose and Spider Veins
Its ability to enhance the absorption of various substances makes DMSO a potential option for addressing issues related to varicose and spider veins.
3. Burns and Scar Tissue
DMSO’s unique properties can contribute to scar tissue reduction and offer relief to individuals dealing with burns and related skin conditions.
4. Musculoskeletal Disorders
DMSO’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities position it as a potential aid in managing a range of musculoskeletal disorders, providing relief from pain and discomfort.
5. Furuncular Otitis
This painful ear condition may find relief through DMSO’s analgesic properties when administered as part of a treatment regimen.
6. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Early research suggests that DMSO could play a role in addressing this severe lung condition, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), although further investigation is needed.
7. General Stiffness and Soreness
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Early research suggests that DMSO could play a role in addressing this severe lung condition, although further investigation is needed.
8. Improved Range of Motion
DMSO may contribute to enhanced joint flexibility and improved range of motion, making it a valuable consideration for those seeking to maintain or regain mobility.
9. Cancer Side-Effects
Studies suggest that DMSO might play a role in cancer therapy. It has demonstrated promise in stimulating tumor suppressor proteins and reducing cancer-related pain when injected intravenously alongside sodium bicarbonate.
10. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
This chronic pain condition can be debilitating, but DMSO has shown promise in providing relief when applied topically.
11. Atherosclerosis
DMSO has displayed the potential to delay the development of narrowing arteries induced by dietary cholesterol and suppress the accumulation of cholesterol in tissues.
13. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure remains a significant health concern. DMSO, when administered intravenously, has been explored as a means to lower abnormally high blood pressure.
14. Analgesic
Early research indicates that topical application of DMSO may offer relief for arthritis sufferers, including both osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. DMSO’s unique ability to penetrate tissues makes it a promising candidate for addressing the symptoms of these debilitating conditions.
15. Mitigating Drug Extravasation Injury
For individuals undergoing chemotherapy, DMSO has shown its potential in managing drug extravasation injuries. Extravasation refers to the unintended leakage of chemotherapy drugs into the surrounding soft tissue, which can cause severe damage. DMSO application can significantly improve tissue injuries resulting from extravasation, offering relief to cancer patients.
16. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
For individuals undergoing chemotherapy, DMSO has shown its potential in managing drug extravasation injuries. Extravasation refers to the unintended leakage of chemotherapy drugs into the surrounding soft tissue, which can cause severe damage. DMSO application can significantly improve tissue injuries resulting from extravasation, offering relief to cancer patients.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition characterized by persistent pain, typically affecting a single limb after an injury. Studies suggest that applying a 50 percent DMSO cream to the skin can effectively reduce pain in individuals with CRPS.
17. Atherosclerosis Management
Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the build-up of plaque inside arteries, restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to vital organs. DMSO has shown promise in delaying the development of narrowed arteries induced by dietary cholesterol, offering a potential avenue for managing this condition.
18. Shingles
For individuals undergoing chemotherapy, DMSO has shown its potential in managing drug extravasation injuries. Extravasation refers to the unintended leakage of chemotherapy drugs into the surrounding soft tissue, which can cause severe damage. DMSO application can significantly improve tissue injuries resulting from extravasation, offering relief to cancer patients.
19. Scleroderma
Scleroderma, a chronic connective tissue disease causing skin hardening, has been explored for DMSO treatment. The compound exhibits anti-inflammatory effects while promoting increased blood supply to the skin, potentially aiding scleroderma patients.
20. Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis, a chronic condition causing bladder pain and pressure, can be challenging to manage due to chronic pain. Fortunately, DMSO offers an FDA-approved treatment option. Through a procedure called instilling DMSO, medication is injected into the bladder using a urinary catheter, providing much-needed relief to sufferers.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide, commonly known as DMSO, is a remarkable compound with a range of pharmacological actions that have been the focus of extensive research. Herb Roi Richards Ph.D. has documented hundreds of ways to use DMSO to help heal the human body in his hallmark work, DMSO Dimethylsulfoxide for Humans: Recipes & Treatment.
How Does DMSO Work?
A better understanding of how DMSO works for doctors can be attained by reviewing what exactly does DMSO do? The following actions underscore DMSO’s versatility and potential in various medical applications:
1. Penetrant-Carrier Action
One of DMSO’s standout features is its capacity to transport drugs across membranes with ease. It excels at bonding with certain drugs, like morphine sulfate, penicillin, steroids, cortisone, heparin, insulin, sodium salicylate, Evan’s blue dye, sulfadiazine, aminophylline, and ThioTEPA due to its compatibility with specific molecular weights, shapes, and electrochemistry. This quality positions DMSO as a potential game-changer in drug delivery systems, reducing the risk of infection associated with skin penetration without needles or piercing the skin.
2. Local Analgesic Agent
DMSO’s capacity to penetrate human skin has made it a valuable tool in pain management. It has demonstrated its effectiveness in alleviating pain associated with various conditions. In laboratory settings, DMSO has been shown to block conduction in isolated nerves. Remarkably, this blockage is reversible when the nerve is rinsed, highlighting its potential as a local analgesic.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Adjunct
Research has revealed that DMSO possesses anti-inflammatory properties, particularly evident in experiments involving the bakers yeast granuloma in guinea pigs. This attribute underscores its potential as an adjunct in managing inflammatory conditions.
4. Bacteriostatic Agent
DMSO exhibits bacteriostatic properties when used in a 20 percent concentration. It has been effective against common bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas. This bacteriostatic action further expands its utility in medical contexts.
5. Diuretic Effect
Intravenous administration of DMSO in dogs results in a transient but significant increase in urine volume. This diuretic effect, though temporary, illustrates DMSO’s impact on physiological processes and highlights its potential for various applications.
6. Tranquilizing Effect
Clinical observations have indicated that DMSO exerts a tranquilizing effect when applied topically. This calming property has intriguing implications for potential therapeutic use.
7. Potentiator of Other Compounds
Experimental investigations have demonstrated that when combined with insulin, DMSO enhances the blood sugar-lowering effect. This synergistic action suggests that DMSO can potentiate the effects of other compounds, potentially leading to more profound and sustained therapeutic outcomes.
8. Hydroxyl Radical Scavenger
DMSO emerges as a powerful scavenger of hydroxyl (OH) free radicals in biological systems. Its exceptional ability to neutralize these highly reactive radicals underscores its significance in protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage.
No newcomer to the healing sciences, DMSO was discovered in the mid-20th century and was the first nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to emerge since aspirin. It is commonly used on horses, especially racehorses the gain an advantage over the competition. DMSO is a commonly used remedy among veterinarians. For those who might claim that DMSO offers nothing more than a placebo effect, note that horses and animals have no placebo effect.
DMSO is the common first responder’s resource in emergency response, and it is readily found on the sidelines to apply to any athlete’s injury. Olympian athletes also keep it on hand during work outs and while in competition for increased performance and mitigating the damages of pushing the limits of the human body similar in comparison to racehorses.
However, the potential of DMSO goes far beyond the racetrack. It has shown promise in treating severe head trauma, particularly when intracranial pressure remains high despite other treatments. In both human and animal cases, DMSO has demonstrated its efficacy as the first drug capable of significantly reducing intracranial pressure, a critical issue in severe head injuries.
DMSO’s versatility extends to addressing some of the most challenging health conditions. It has been explored for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to provide relief from joint pain. Additionally, ongoing research hints at its potential in cancer treatment. In a 2012 study, DMSO was found to stimulate the tumor suppressor protein HLJ1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells, suggesting a promising avenue for future anticancer drug development. Furthermore, preliminary clinical trials have shown that DMSO might play a vital role in dissolving clots associated with stroke, potentially offering hope to countless individuals affected by this debilitating condition.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide, or DMSO, is emerging as a versatile solution for pain management and the treatment of various medical conditions. Its ability to penetrate tissues and deliver relief makes it a valuable asset in the medical field, offering hope and comfort to patients dealing with a wide range of health challenges.
While DMSO may not have garnered the widespread recognition it deserves, its potential as a therapeutic agent and drug delivery system is undeniable. As more individuals and practitioners explore its diverse applications, it could emerge as a vital component of holistic and natural medicine, ushering in a new era of targeted and efficient treatments.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a fascinating substance with a wide range of applications, both in medicine and industry and is gaining traction among
Beyond its medical applications, DMSO serves as an industrial solvent used in various fields, including agriculture (for herbicides and fungicides), pharmaceuticals (as a carrier for antibiotics), and horticulture (for plant hormones).