Dimethyl Sulphoxide has been available as a solvent since about 1953, being derived from lignin, a complex chemical compound which is one of the most abundant organic polymers on earth. Approximately one third of the dry mass of wood is lignin, and DMSO is, unsurprisingly, a by-product of the wood industry. As a solvent it has many industrial uses – including that of a paint-stripper.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its use ONLY as a preservative of organs for transplant and for interstitial cystitis. When used to treat interstitial cystitis, a 50% solution of DMSO is instilled intravesically – via a catheter, directly into the bladder.

In 1961, Dr Stanley Jacob began investigating the usefulness of DMSO as a preservative for organ transplants, and made a number of observations concerning DMSO, leading him to claim that DMSO has benefits and uses as universal as aspirin.

One of the first properties he observed, was the 'hypodermic' effect of DMSO. A quantity placed on the skin is rapidly absorbed through the barrier of the skin, without damaging it. Once absorbed, DMSO rapidly travels throughout the entire body, with many people reporting that they can taste it (a garlic-like flavour) shortly after application. He also found that DMSO has the capacity to carry other small molecules with it, through the skin, thus enhancing the absorption rate of many other minerals, vitamins, and prescription medicines. Intrigued, he embarked on a life-long investigation of DMSO.

Many of the claims made concerning DMSO remain unproven. Considering that the cost of standard clinical testing required to gain FDA approval for ANY treatment routinely runs into millions of dollars, and that there is no opportunity for large pharmaceutical companies to patent DMSO, this “unproven” status of DMSO is not surprising. Furthermore, the side effects of DMSO are such that double-blinded studies are impossible to conduct. Double-blinded studies assume that neither the Patient NOR the Doctor are aware just who is receiving a placebo and who is receiving DMSO. Since DMSO has the side effect of producing a garlic taste in the mouth, and often a garlic odour from the skin, it is not possible to conceal from Patient or Doctor just who is receiving DMSO.

Nevertheless, more than 40,000 articles on DMSO have appeared in scientific journals around the world, and there have been thousands of laboratory studies which attribute a diverse range of properties to the chemical.

Canada, Germany, Great Britain and Japan are among 125 countries where Doctors prescribe DMSO for ailments including Interstitial Cystitis, inflammation, scleroderma, and pain.

DMSO's ability to pass through human skin and tissue is perhaps one of its most studied properties. Its ability to do this varies correspondingly with its potency – from 70 to 90 percent strength. Strangely, DMSO's penetrating abilities begin to drop off with concentrations higher than 90 percent, and much lower concentrations can effectively cross other membranes, such as the bladder, where a 15% strength solution will suffice. Whether or not DMSO can carry another substance with it through these membranes depends greatly on the molecular weight of the molecules. Here is the reason why great caution should be exercised with DMSO. If it can carry beneficial substances through the skin into the body, enhancing the absorption and therefore potency of these chemicals, it can also greatly increase the potency of harmful chemicals that may be contained in the DMSO, or already present on the skin before applying. Thus, while DMSO itself is non-toxic, improper use can result in a case of poisoning. Hands should always be thoroughly cleansed before applying DMSO, and the area of skin to which it is applied should also be cleaned and free of contaminants. Always use pharmaceutical grade DMSO – industrial grade DMSO will contain contaminants of an unknown origin and nature.

As a means of relieving pain, studies suggest that DMSO achieves this by blocking nerve C fibres. Pain relief is usually almost instantaneous and can last up to six hours. A number of sports people, teams and athletes have used DMSO, and many who use it to relieve pain claim that they have found it to be more effective than any other (more expensive) products they have tried. (see the testimonial from Alf, UK, above).

Others claim benefits in using DMSO to help with their Arthritis, although in the U.S. The FDA has never given approval for DMSO to be used in this manner. Studies in Japan suggest that 90% DMSO solution can help relieve joint pain, increased range of motion, and grip strength.

While its use on humans is controversial, if you speak to veterinarians you will find that there is hardly a racehorse that has not been treated at some time with DMSO to relieve inflammation and help repair muscle tears and strains. Racehorses in NZ are routinely tested for DMSO, since it is a banned substance in the racing industry – banned because it is believed to give a horse an unfair advantage when racing. This raises two interesting points to consider:

1) No trainer is going to risk a multi-million dollar investment (a racehorse) with a treatment that is toxic and could harm them - and
2) There is NO placebo effect with horses!