Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) – another multitasking, inexpensive, safe and effective tool

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[DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION JANUARY 2023]
[THE DETAILS ON THIS PAGE ARE COVERED IN MORE DETAIL IN Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalitis and Long-Covid (3rd Edition) ]

Introduction

DMS (dimethylsulphide) is produced by marine phytoplankton and oxidised to DMSO in the atmosphere. It is normally present in the human body and many foods (fruits vegetables and grain). It probably plays a major role in the natural transfer of sulphur of biological origin (See James Lovelock's site - OCEANIC PHYTOPLANKTON, ATMOSPHERIC SULPHUR, CLOUD ALBEDO AND CLIMATE ). This makes DMSO an early evolutionary player for all things sulphur related!

Sulphate is a much forgotten molecule in the body. It binds to many molecules to allow them to circulate safely in the blood stream, before being released at their target site. This includes cholesterol (it should circulate as cholesterol sulphate – if one is sulphate deficient then it circulates in LDL. High LDL shows sulphate deficiency). DMSO significantly reduces the binding of LDL cholesterol to cell surfaces - see Dimethyl sulfoxide as a cholesterol-lowering agent in cultured fibroblasts exposed to low density lipoproteins

Any hormone receptor blocking issue (eg may be a sulphate issue) eg insulin resistance - see Hydrogen sulfide regulates insulin secretion and insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus, a new promising target for diabetes mellitus treatment? A review

I have been using DMSO for decades as a delivery molecule. However it has wonderful properties in its own right and being so safe this gives it a multiplicity of uses.

DMSO Properties


Property What this means Use
It is a small molecule with a similar shape and polarity to water Dissolves readily in water and passes through all tissues of the body It is well absorbed through skin. It can be applied to skin to treat any condition anywhere in the body
Sprayed on the skin it is rapidly absorbed together with any minerals, magnesium, B12, vit D or C that you care to mix with it. You can see my transdermal preparations at

- see My Sales Site - Transdermal Nutrients

It improves the quality of the 4th phase of water (exclusion zone water or gel water). This reduces the friction between all surfaces. This effect is amplified by far infra red light.

For those interested, please see “Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid & Vapor” by Gerald Pollack

This would explain its known action as an anti-inflammatory. Useful for any auto-immune condition. Can be used to treat any condition associated with inflammation. Eg use for bursitis, tendonitis, muscle tears - see Immunomodulatory effects and potential clinical applications of dimethyl sulfoxide
.... and anti-coagulant Can be used to treat any condition associated with clotting. Intravenous DMSO has been used to dissolve blood clots and so reverse strokes and heart attacks
Improves blood supply by reducing the friction between blood cells and blood vessel walls Can be used to treat any condition associated with poor blood supply eg angina, poor circulation
.... and analgesic effect Can be used to treat any condition that is painful!.Used in migraine topically and by mouth
It is a close relative of important sulphur compounds in the body and may be converted into glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, alpha lipoic acid, allicin (from garlic), N acetyl cysteine, SAME (S-adenosylmethionine) and glutathione and so is………
……….the raw material of connective tissue Building block of skin, tendons, membranes, muscles Accelerates healing and repair. Use for any acute injury, painful area, acute arthritis.
…………essential for detoxification Gets rid of toxic metals. Sulphur binds with toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, aluminium, cadmium, arsenic, nickel) and eliminates them via urination, defecation and sweating. And other such toxins To detoxify the body.This effect is so powerful that it may trigger a detox reaction

See Diet, Detox and Die-off Reactions Expect to get worse

……..essential for methylation We need methylation to read DNA and make proteins For healing and repair
In low doses is an anti-oxidant Slows degeneration. Protects mitochondria. Helps to prevent cancer. Protects against radiation. This gives DMSO application for almost any condition of the human body! See The Radioprotective Action of Dimethyl Sulphoxide and Various Other Sulphoxides
In high doses (and acid environment) it is a pro-oxidant. It may dissolve biofilm So is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Again, this effect is so powerful that it may trigger a die off or Herxheimer reaction

See Diet, Detox and Die-off Reactions Expect to get worse

It is a universal solvent To soften connective tissue or scar tissue Scleroderma. Old scars or injuries. To accelerate healing and repair

The mechanisms by which DMSO is so helpful gives us clinical application - it has around 40 pharmacological properties that may be beneficial in the prevention, relief or reversal of numerous diseases (See “DMSO, Nature’s Healer” by Dr Morton Walker)

How to use DMSO

It will always work best on the back of Groundhog regimes! See Groundhog BASIC – what we should all be doing all the time

  • PK diet,
  • The basic package of supplements,
  • Quality sleep,
  • Vitamin C 5 grams in the day,
  • Lugol’s iodine 15% 1-3 drops at night

How to purchase DMSO

It must be as very pure 99.9% source. Purchase in glass bottles (or resistant plastic). For example, see these this product:

NEVER CONSUME NEAT DMSO! When DMSO is mixed with water, it generates heat! Always dilute it first. See below for how to dilute.

At a concentration of 99.9%, DMSO goes solid below 18 degrees centigrade. Should this happen, warm it up by placing the bottle of DMSO in warm water.

How to take DMSO

By mouth – take a glass of warm water, at least 100ml, and add 5ml of the pure DMSO, mix, drink it. Most take this twice daily but fine to take 4 times daily. It is very safe.

By skin – DMSO passes through skin like a knife through butter! Always use this as a 40% solution (6 parts water to 4 parts DMSO) as more concentrated may cause heat and redness. Apply up to 4 x daily.

Combine DMSO with other ingredients

My transdermal preparations are good for enhancing the absorption of a range of nutrients. These contain 20% DMSO.

See My Sales Site Transdermal Nutrients

See also Rx List - DMSO (DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE)

Mechanisms of action and Associated uses


Mechanisms of action So, it can be used for Clinical pictures such as By mouth By skin
DMSO is an anti-oxidant – it readily donates electrons and this makes it good as scavenging free radicals and therefore can be used….. Any condition associated with inflammation. Inflammation is characterised by pain. Interstitial cystitis DMSO it has an FDA licence to treat See Rx List - DMSO (DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE) Yes Yes
……as a pain reliever. It has a local anaesthetic effect For any painful joint or muscle. This effect will be enhanced by adding magnesium Arthritis. Fibromyalgia. Headaches and migraine. Yes Yes With magnesium
Any painful site eg shingles, chicken pox Yes
Research suggests that applying DMSO 50% to the skin improves pain in people with complex regional pain syndrome. See Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: An update Yes
To heal and repair tissue damage. Any such damage anywhere in the body can be accessed by DMSO because it easily passes through all body tissues. Sprains, strains, bursitis, tendinitis, frozen shoulder, keloid, scars. Yes Yes
Dental pain Yes - Add a few drops of clove oil
It improves blood supply. I suspect the reason for this is it promotes the 4th phase of water Any condition associated with poor blood supply or blood clotting DMSO has been used to treat angina, heart failure, intermittent claudication, dementia Yes
Improves mitochondrial function - again because of its effects on the 4th phase of water AGAIN Any condition associated with poor energy delivery mechanisms Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ME Yes Yes
Is a source of sulphur and so good for detoxing heavy metals. Arteriosclerosis Yes
Dissolves biofilm Good for any skin infection Acne, cold sores, fungal infections: tinea, jock itch, ring worm, rosacea, Paint on a 50% solution to which a few drops of Lugol’s 15% iodine has been added
Dissolves viral lipid coat Cold sores, chicken pox or shingles. Herpes viruses. Corona virus Yes Paint on a 50% solution 3 x daily with iodine as above
Early research suggests that taking DMSO might be more effective than the drug cimetidine For treating ulcers in people with ulcers caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori or those with ulcers that haven't healed with other medications Yes
Kills bacteria in the mouth Gum disease, tooth decay Rinse the mouth with equal volumes of 40% solution and hydrogen peroxide 3%
and sinuses Respiratory infections - -especially sinusitis Yes Can be used in a nebuliser with a few drops of iodine 15%
DMSO dissolves amyloid And so may be indicated for prion disorders Such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Passes through the blood brain barrier Yes
Dissolves stones See “DMSO preparation as a direct solubilizer of calcium bilirubinate stones” Kidney stones and gall stones Yes
Is mildly anticholinesterase – increases acetyl choline Helpful for depression and anxiety Yes
Essential raw material for healing and repair Early research suggests that applying DMSO to the skin might help the skin heal after surgery. Yes Yes
All the above make DMSO good for Diseases of the eye – especially macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma Yes Yes - 2 drops of 2.5% DMSO in to each eye
Leaky gut Yes
Any condition associated with poor circulation such as venous ulcers Yes
Skin anti-ageing With coconut oil and vitamin C

Troubleshooting

The garlic-like body odour and taste in the mouth that some experience is attributable to a specific DMSO metabolite: dimethyl sulphide (DMS), a component of natural onion and garlic flavours (See Dimethyl Sulfoxide USP, PhEur in Approved Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Devices ). This can last for one or two days and in a small number of people, especially men, the odour can be very pungent. Drinking enough water will help diffuse the smell.

When applied to skin DMSO may cause itching, redness and possibly dryness of the skin. Do not use on skin at concentrations greater than 50%

Other side effects - such as stomach upset, headaches, dizziness, and sedation - are very likely related to detoxification reactions prompted by the DMSO. Only purified and properly diluted DMSO should be used. When you dilute a pure DMSO solution, always do it in spring water. When it is applied, the skin site as well as the applying hand should be thoroughly cleaned before application. This is of utmost importance as DMSO's properties allow contaminants to be absorbed through the skin and transported into the bloodstream. DMSO is known to be one of the least toxic substances in biology (See Sulfur in human nutrition and applications in medicine ), so any serious side effects should come from potential contaminants or the intake of concomitant drugs that DMSO will carry into the body.

Worth repeating again, DMSO and any substance dissolved in it, will penetrate the skin, the blood-brain barrier, and other parts of the body very fast. Remember also that DMSO increases the effects of drugs like blood thinners, steroids, heart medicines, sedatives, etc. In addition to that, acetone or acid contamination of DMSO can lead to serious medical consequences. Be aware of this problem when buying DMSO - do not buy concentrations of less than 99.99% - be sure to use good quality. A pure DMSO solution will turn solid (like ice) in the refrigerator within 2 hours. If, when the frozen bottle is turned upside down, little rivulets of water flow through the ice, you probably have bought veterinary grade DMSO. This is only a 90% concentration.

Women are discouraged from using DMSO during pregnancy or breastfeeding (simply because should anything go wrong DMSO would be blamed), even though DMSO is used to preserve frozen human embryos.

DMSO can interfere with liver function tests and give a false reading. That problem is easily solved by waiting a week after DMSO usage before taking the test

DMSO is exhaled as DMS and this may give false positives with a ketone breath meter

Further Reading

Related Articles

External Links

References

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