DMSO: The controversial compound that could change the way you treat pain

 

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a compound that has been used in various medical and industrial applications since the mid-20th century. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, DMSO has historically been underutilized and often ignored in allopathic or conventional medicine. Today, we explore the history of DMSO, its many benefits, and why it deserves renewed attention in the treatment of various ailments.

 

History of DMSO

DMSO was first discovered in the 1860s as a byproduct of wood pulp processing. Its solvent properties made it valuable to the chemical industry, but it wasn't until the 1960s that its biological properties began to be explored. Researchers discovered that DMSO could penetrate biological membranes, opening up new avenues for its use in medicine.

In the 1960s and 1970s, DMSO gained attention for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It was touted as a miracle cure for various conditions, including arthritis, muscle pain, and sports injuries—the areas of my primary interest. However, the enthusiasm was short-lived. Due to safety concerns, a lack of thorough clinical trials, and the pharmaceutical industry's resistance to unpatented compounds, DMSO fell into disrepute in the medical community.

It is through a very complete article by Dr. Joseph Mercola that I have been encouraged to spread this information and that is that DMSO has important benefits, in addition to those already mentioned,

1. Anti-inflammatory properties : DMSO has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain, making it useful for conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and muscle sprains.

2. Analgesic effects : Many patients report pain relief when using DMSO topically , making it a non-invasive alternative to traditional painkillers.

3. Drug delivery enhancer: One of DMSO's most notable properties is its ability to enhance the absorption of other drugs through the skin. This makes it a valuable vehicle for the delivery of various drugs, especially in topical formulations. 

4. Antioxidant effects: DMSO has been shown to have antioxidant properties, which may help protect cells from oxidative stress and may be beneficial in conditions related to aging and chronic diseases.

5. Many autoimmune, protein and contractile disorders , such as scleroderma, amyloidosis and interstitial cystitis.

6. Cranial conditions, such as tinnitus, vision loss, dental problems and sinusitis .

7. Diseases of internal organs , such as pancreatitis, infertility, liver cirrhosis and endometriosis.

8. Many skin conditions , such as burns, varicose veins, acne, hair loss, ulcers, skin cancer and many autoimmune dermatological diseases.

9. Difficult infections , such as shingles, herpes, chronic ear or dental infections, and osteomyelitis.

10. Potential in veterinary medicine: DMSO is widely used in veterinary medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties and is known to be effective in treating injuries in horses and other animals.

Of all these benefits mentioned, today I want to highlight its analgesic effects in terms of conditions such as arthritis and muscle pain, especially those related to sports.

  

How DMSO Works

There is a large body of evidence demonstrating some compelling properties of DMS that help explain its action:

•It spreads rapidly throughout the body once it comes into contact with the skin (or is ingested) and, if mixed with any other substance, it also introduces it into the body.

•It protects cells from various stressors that would otherwise be lethal (e.g., burns, frostbite, loss of blood supply, radiation, and sonic shock waves). This, among other things, allows it to be an effective treatment for central nervous system injuries that would otherwise be disabling (e.g., strokes and spinal cord injuries).

•It is a safe compound (the main side effects are temporary, concentration-dependent irritation when applied to the skin and, in some people, an unpleasant garlic-like odor that lasts for a few hours, while the main serious side effect is a 1/2000 chance of allergic reaction).

•It significantly increases blood circulation throughout the body, while simultaneously removing edema and excess fluid from where it shouldn't be. This is especially important for joints, as their structure predisposes them to limited blood supply (especially when they are damaged and need that blood to heal).

DMSO's ability to rapidly heal injuries and eliminate pain may be due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, its ability to restore critical blood flow, its effectiveness as a muscle relaxant, its ability to protect cells from death, and its ability to block the conduction of complex pain signals.

DMSO may present itself as a promising alternative, especially considering that the medications we regularly turn to only do one or two of those things (NSAIDs, steroids, or opioids, for example) are often quite dangerous.

 

How DMSO Treats Pain

Several mechanisms have been identified that explain how DMSO treats pain (many of which likely also explain DMSO's remarkable ability to heal musculoskeletal injuries). Among them, DMSO would selectively block pain conduction through small fibers in the nervous system known as C-fibers, thereby stopping pain (characterized by sensations of tingling, stabbing, prickling, and numbness) without causing significant damage to the rest of the body or causing it to develop tolerance to it (in contrast, DMSO tends to be more effective over time).

Furthermore, a 2017 study , among others, showed that DMSO increases the presynaptic release of acetylcholine (the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic (rest and relaxation) branch of the autonomic nervous system) while acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

Since inflammation is a key component of both musculoskeletal pain and injury, a study exposes the protective effect of DMSO on tissues by

•Reduce inflammatory responses in tissue injuries.

•Reduces inflammatory cytokines.

•Neutralize free radicals, which are both a cause and a result of chronic inflammation and a common cause of tissue damage, degenerative diseases, and chronic pain.

DMSO tends to relax skeletal muscles while enhancing the contraction of other muscles (e.g., 3-6% DMSO improved contraction of the heart and stomach).

A 1966 study found that muscles in spasm relax within 60 minutes of topical application. It was also discovered that this relaxation could be used to treat headaches associated with cervical conditions and complex regional pain syndrome.

  

Pain treatment with DMSO

A 1983 study using a common research metric (mice’s response to heat and tail shock) found that DMSO produced an analgesic effect comparable in intensity to that of morphine. However, this effect was thought to be due to a different mechanism, as an opioid receptor blocker (naloxone) did not affect DMSO’s ability to eliminate pain, DMSO produced none of the side effects seen with opioids, and its effect lasted much longer (4–6 hours, and in some cases over 24 hours, while morphine typically lasts less than 2 hours).

Rather than the body developing resistance to DMSO (as is often the case with opioids), DMSO proves more effective at eliminating pain with subsequent doses, and in many cases, it is needed less frequently (or no longer as the condition resolves). Therefore, while acute pain responds quickly to DMSO, chronic pain conditions typically take 4 to 7 days of application for DMSO to begin taking effect and 6 to 8 weeks for lasting relief.

 

DMSO and musculoskeletal injuries

Although DMSO is a very effective analgesic and wound healing agent, its primary use is in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, especially those that cause functional immobility.

To summarize the history and testing of DMSO, I'd like to share an article highlighting its musculoskeletal effects, corroborated by multiple experiments.

Acute Inflammatory or Traumatic Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Acute Bursitis, Acute Lumbar Sprains, Acute Injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, bruises, sports injuries, industrial injuries and other traumatic situations), Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Neuralgia and Pain Syndromes, Gout, Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle, particularly of the Toes; Heel Spurs.

It may help in the treatment of flat feet (by eliminating inflammation and helping to heal damaged ligaments and muscles).

Currently, research on DMSO is resurfacing, with studies exploring its potential in diverse fields, including cancer therapy, neuroprotection, and others. As the medical community increasingly recognizes the importance of holistic and integrative approaches to health, DMSO may find its rightful place alongside other therapeutic modalities.

DMSO is a compound with a rich history and a promising future. Its benefits in treating inflammation, pain, and drug delivery make it a valuable tool in the medical arsenal. As we move forward, it is essential to continue researching DMSO and consider its applications in modern medicine. The rediscovery of DMSO may open new avenues for treating various ailments and improving patient outcomes.