Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsDietary SourcesNatural vs CreatedFormulationsResearchMSM and AlcoholBefore Trying MSMHow to Take MSMFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Dietary Sources
Natural vs Created
Formulations
Research
MSM and Alcohol
Before Trying MSM
How to Take MSM
Frequently Asked Questions
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a popular supplement among people with chronic pain. Its main benefit is as an anti-inflammatory that offers some relief to people with arthritis and other types of inflammatory, muscle, or joint pain. It’s also believed to protect cartilage.
MSM is also believed to counter oxidative stress and improve antioxidant capacity. It’s under investigation as a cancer treatment, as well. It passes readily through the blood-brain barrier and is distributed throughout the brain.
MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in many foods. In its pure form, it’s an odorless, tasteless, white, water-soluble, crystalline solid.
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Benefits of MSM
MSM has been marketed for pain andinflammationassociated with:
Dietary Sources of MSM
It’s not hard to get MSM via your diet. MSM is naturally found in:
Natural vs. Created MSM
While MSM exists in nature, the form that’s marketed as a supplement is a chemical compound derived from DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide).
DMSO is available in an industrial grade and a medical-grade. DMSO was touted as a miracle treatment for arthritis in the 1960s but became controversial because of potential problems and unpleasant side effects.As DMSO faded from use as an arthritis treatment, MSM gained momentum.
Forms of MSM
MSM is primarily sold over-the-counter as an oral formulation (solution, tablets, or capsules). It is sometimes combined with other dietary supplements, such as:
Some multi-ingredient joint formulas include many other supplements, as well.
MSM is also available as atopical cream.
Dimethyl sulfoneMethyl sulfoneSulfonylbismethanOrganic sulfurCrystalline dimethyl sulfoxide
MSM Research
The result of lowered inflammation and cartilage preservation is an improved range of motion and physical function.
MSM can also reduce exercise-related muscle damage, especially when taken before strenuous resistance or endurance exercises, the review states. This is believed to be due to its antioxidant effects.
Evidence of EffectivenessArthritisInterstitial cystitisAllergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies)Acute exercise-induced inflammationOther inflammatory conditionsSupporting immune responseImproving skin quality and textureSuppressing cancer-cell growthLess Evidence of EffectivenessStress reliefParasitic infectionsBoosting energyIncreasing metabolismEnhancing circulationImproved wound healing
Evidence of EffectivenessArthritisInterstitial cystitisAllergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies)Acute exercise-induced inflammationOther inflammatory conditionsSupporting immune responseImproving skin quality and textureSuppressing cancer-cell growth
Arthritis
Interstitial cystitis
Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies)
Acute exercise-induced inflammation
Other inflammatory conditions
Supporting immune response
Improving skin quality and texture
Suppressing cancer-cell growth
Less Evidence of EffectivenessStress reliefParasitic infectionsBoosting energyIncreasing metabolismEnhancing circulationImproved wound healing
Stress relief
Parasitic infections
Boosting energy
Increasing metabolism
Enhancing circulation
Improved wound healing
MSM may increase your sensitivity to alcohol, according to anecdotal evidence.Some other sulfur-containing molecules are used to combat alcoholism due to severe side effects from the combination.
However, researchers haven’t yet specifically explored MSM’s relationship with alcohol. Until more is known, it’s best to be cautious with alcohol while you’re taking MSM.
Be sure to inform your healthcare provider that you are going to take MSM. Interactions between MSM and other prescription medications, non-prescription medications, dietary supplements, orherbal remediesare possible but unknown.
If you are going to buy MSM, it is important to buy from a reputable manufacturer or vendor. Choose a product with a USP notation (for US Pharmacopoeia standards). It is important to select a quality brand. Different brands may vary in the amount of active ingredient they contain.
How to Take MSM
The Arthritis Foundation recommends a dosage of 1,000 to 3,000 mg a day.Note any side effects and notify your healthcare provider.
After starting MSM, allow a reasonable amount of time to notice any benefits. If, after a certain time period, you do not notice any benefit, decide along with your practitioner if you should discontinue MSM.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMSM, methylsulfonylmethane, is a supplement that can ease pain and inflammation. It is marketed as a treatment for arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and exercise-related muscle pain.It is unclear whether MSM affects gut health. Some alternative health publications suggest MSM may treat leaky gut syndrome, but there are no scientific studies to back this claim. In addition, taking MSM may cause stomach upset or diarrhea.MSM is used as a pain reliever, but it does not affect the brain or make you disoriented in the way opioid pain relievers can. MSM crosses the blood-brain barrier, but its effects on the brain are unknown.
MSM, methylsulfonylmethane, is a supplement that can ease pain and inflammation. It is marketed as a treatment for arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and exercise-related muscle pain.
It is unclear whether MSM affects gut health. Some alternative health publications suggest MSM may treat leaky gut syndrome, but there are no scientific studies to back this claim. In addition, taking MSM may cause stomach upset or diarrhea.
MSM is used as a pain reliever, but it does not affect the brain or make you disoriented in the way opioid pain relievers can. MSM crosses the blood-brain barrier, but its effects on the brain are unknown.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290Kaiser, LG, Russell, D, Maschmeyer, T, Redfern, RL, Inglis, BA.Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): A chemical shift reference for 1H MRS of human brain.Magn Reson Med. 2020;83:1157–1167. doi:10.1002/mrm.27997Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017; 9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.Additional ReadingButawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Appplications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017 Mar 16;9(3). pii: E290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290Kaiser, LG, Russell, D, Maschmeyer, T, Redfern, RL, Inglis, BA.Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): A chemical shift reference for 1H MRS of human brain.Magn Reson Med. 2020;83:1157–1167. doi:10.1002/mrm.27997Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017; 9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.Additional ReadingButawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Appplications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017 Mar 16;9(3). pii: E290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290Kaiser, LG, Russell, D, Maschmeyer, T, Redfern, RL, Inglis, BA.Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): A chemical shift reference for 1H MRS of human brain.Magn Reson Med. 2020;83:1157–1167. doi:10.1002/mrm.27997Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017; 9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.
Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
Kaiser, LG, Russell, D, Maschmeyer, T, Redfern, RL, Inglis, BA.Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): A chemical shift reference for 1H MRS of human brain.Magn Reson Med. 2020;83:1157–1167. doi:10.1002/mrm.27997
Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017; 9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.
Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ.Methylsulfonylmethane: Appplications and safety of a novel dietary supplement.Nutrients. 2017 Mar 16;9(3). pii: E290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
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