DMSO stands for Dimethyl Sulfoxide, sourced from trees is a potent free radical scavenger with impressive anti-inflammatory properties. Its multifaceted nature extends to pain relief, collagen softening, and anti-inflammatory prowess, making it an exceptional natural pain alleviator.
Delving Deeper
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) boasts a colorless, transparent, and hygroscopic fluid characteristic across a broad temperature spectrum. Renowned for its ability to traverse the skin and biological membranes with ease, DMSO is a sulfur-based compound hailed for its remarkable healing attributes. Originally discovered as a wood pulping byproduct in late 19th century Germany, DMSO’s presence also graces fruits, the sea, and the atmosphere.
This substance is derived from dimethyl sulfide, a byproduct of paper production and a naturally occurring biogenic gas vital to Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. Sulfur, an elemental cornerstone of Earth, permeates life and is the eighth most prevalent element in the human body. Although not in elemental sulfur form, it consistently pairs with other elements, forming complex and occasionally simple molecules such as DMSO.
DMSO’s Expansive Utility
People have harnessed the potential of DMSO to address an array of concerns, including but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Inflammatory diseases
- Joint pain relief
- Mitigating cancer side effects (pain)
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Headaches and migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Psoriasis
- Shingles
- Candida
- Eczema
- Tendonitis
- Interstitial cystitis
- Autoimmune disorders
- Amyloidosis
- Scleroderma
- Ulcerative colitis
- Diabetic neuropathy pain
- Varicose and spider veins
- Burns and scar tissue
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Furuncular otitis
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Hemorrhoids
- Muscle spasms
- Bursitis
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- General stiffness and soreness
- Enhancing range of motion
DMSO’s Healing Attributes
- DMSO for Cancer: Research highlights DMSO’s potential to stimulate the tumor suppressor protein HLJ1 via AP-1 activation, holding promise for future anticancer drug development. Intravenous DMSO combined with sodium bicarbonate exhibits potential in relieving cancer-related pain.
- DMSO for Pain Relief: DMSO effectively targets diverse pain types, including strains and sprains. Its topical application penetrates skin membranes, quelling inflammation and swelling. DMSO also offers respite from pain due to bruises, burns, scars, and keloids, with 50 to 80 percent concentration application yielding results.
- DMSO for Arthritis: Early indications suggest topical DMSO application can alleviate osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms by virtue of its tissue-penetrating capability.
- DMSO for Extravasations: DMSO’s application aids drug extravasation injury, significantly improving tissue harm from chemotherapy drug leakage into surrounding tissues.
- DMSO for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Application of 50 percent DMSO cream on the skin offers pain relief for individuals grappling with complex regional pain syndrome.
- DMSO for Atherosclerosis: Laboratory assessments underscore DMSO’s potential to delay artery narrowing development induced by dietary cholesterol and suppress cholesterol accumulation in tissues, thereby influencing atherosclerosis management.
- DMSO for Interstitial Cystitis: FDA-approved application of DMSO through a urinary catheter eases pain associated with interstitial cystitis.
- DMSO for Shingles: Combining DMSO with idoxuridine and applying it to the skin offers relief from shingles-related lesions, swelling, and pain.
- DMSO for Scleroderma: DMSO’s anti-inflammatory impact coupled with enhanced skin blood supply holds promise for managing the chronic connective tissue ailment, scleroderma.
- DMSO for High Blood Pressure: Intravenous DMSO administration presents a prospect for reducing abnormally high blood pressure.
The realm of DMSO’s versatility and pain management potential is awe-inspiring. While extensively used in equine care, the panoply of DMSO applications in humans underscores its efficacy in alleviating joint and arthritis pain, among other issues. A comprehensive understanding of DMSO’s potential therapeutic attributes further solidifies its relevance. As research continues, DMSO’s capacity to elevate human health and well-being remains promising.
Therapeutic Profile of DMSO
DMSO exhibits 16 significant therapeutic properties, including but not limited to:
- Pain blocking through interruption of small c-fiber conduction
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Bacteriostatic, fungistatic, and virostatic properties
- Facilitating pharmaceutical transport across membranes
- Reduced incidence of platelet thrombi in blood vessels
- Cardiac contractility modulation via calcium inhibition
- Prostaglandin synthesis stimulation, impacting cell function
- Augmentation of antifungal and antibacterial agents
- Vasodilation potential linked to histamine release and prostaglandin inhibition
- Cholinesterase release inhibition
- Collagen softening via distinctive cross-linking
- Hydroxyl free radical scavenging
- Immunity stimulation in diverse forms
- Potent diuretic effect, especially intravenously
- Induction of interferon formation
- Promotion of wound healing
Choosing DMSO
The paramount application of DMSO is as a natural pain alleviator. Whether the pain is severe or moderate, DMSO offers a compelling solution. Pain’s interference with daily function and life quality is a universal concern and often prompts medical consultation.
DMSO distinguishes itself from traditional painkillers due to its user-friendly application. Unlike pills or injections, it’s a straightforward gel applied to the skin, ensuring accessibility for all.
Considering the potential hazards posed by painkillers, particularly opioid drugs, DMSO’s appeal grows stronger. Overdoses from powerful narcotics, often combined with alcohol or other pain medications, contribute significantly to unintentional overdose deaths. DMSO, akin to aspirin, curbs specific prostaglandin production to regulate pain and inflammation. Beyond aspirin’s capabilities, DMSO intercepts pain fiber conduction when administered topically. It presents a non-toxic alternative for pain relief, devoid of adverse stomach or gut effects associated with traditional painkillers.
Navigating DMSO Usage
While DMSO is generally safe for most individuals, prudent consultation with a healthcare professional is advised. Especially if concurrently taking other medications, a doctor’s guidance ensures safe integration of treatments. DMSO’s ability to expedite medication absorption into the skin mandates careful consideration for potential interactions with ongoing medications.
How to Get DMSO
DMSO is commercially accessible in the United States, spanning industrial-grade varieties found in farm stores to ultra-pure pharmaceutical-grade versions suitable for human use. Industrial grade serves horses and dogs, while 99.99% Pure Pharmaceutical Grade DMSO is designed for human application.