Top Health Benefits of MSM for Pain Relief, Skin and Lungs

I recommend this informative short video about MSM's benefits and appropriate dosage by Amandha Vollmer.

https://yummy.doctor/video-list/adv-on-msm-sulfur/?mc_cid=f0e6beb1f6&mc_eid=2cdfee998b

Hi Hunter. Just saw your post. The company that has pure organic MSM is in Queensland. Their website is www.miracleproducts.shop I have been using their products for some time now and I can definitely say that I can vouch for their purity. I have a friend who is a holistic healer and swears by their products. check their website and see if their store is close to you. Regardless, their online customer service is excellent.

Product kleenz ridded ours years ago.

What dosage have you been taking?

Regarding msm side effects, I've been taking this for years off and on, and what people seem to be describing are effects from the detoxification. When taken by mouth it takes a little time for your body to get used to it so it's a little bit at a time, also it's so important to drink water throughout the day to help flush the toxins out of your body. A good way to keep a low dose is to start with the capsules until you feel confident enough to use the powder to increase amounts.

I can't bear the taste of msm so I take it with mango juice to lessen the sharpness but others prefer tomato juice. Don't expect overnight wonders as it takes a body a full month at least before really feeling the effects, every herbal remedy takes a month before beginning to help you.

Aahhh, makes perfect sense now!
I appreciate the explanation.
I'll report back if I have any noticeable results.
Thanks :)

Hey neighbor, Madelyn

MSM is stimulating, heightened alertness. It will give you whatever brand of insomnia you're prone to if too much is taken too late in the day. That's why some folks just bang the whole dose first thing in the morning. I like to spread it. So that last dose of the day takes a little experimenting to get right--where there's a little boost in the evening (no yawniness at 8pm), but no insomnia either. It also matters how quickly you process it using moly. If you've spent years moly deficient, you process very slowly. So a 5pm dose, day after day, isn't going to end well. After saturating with moly for a few months, processing speed comes up and a small late dose becomes possible.

I tried compressing the total daily dose of molybdenum into the late afternoon and evening, but early morning headaches erupted again. Went back to spread out over the day, back to normal. Apparently, when given an adequate amount of moly in the moment, I process. But doubling or tripling the dose of the moment doesn't increase the processing rate. I either eek along at the pace or I don't. Given all of this, the only real course of action is take MSM skewed toward the morning, tapering down toward evening. And then take the moly first thing in the morning, get the processing going, and keep it going through the whole day with further doses, taking care not to overrun the day's moly with the day's MSM. Until additional experiment bears fruit, this is where I'm at.

Hello Dave (Nampa, ID) from your neighbor in Kuna!

Fascinating post. I also experimented with taking a tablespoon of MSM once or twice daily for a couple months. I didn't notice anything too drastic but I did feel great! I plan on taking it again now trying it this time with molybdenum. was wondering if you could explain what you meant by your last 2 sentences: “The shift of moly toward the evening failed. I began to tolerate the 5pm MSM after months of saturating with moly.” thanks so much!

Reporting back in. The MSM experiment has been in play since April 15, 2021. It has solved several issues:

rosacea type acne: gone.

stiffened soft tissues, joints, ligaments, tendons--specifically achilles tendons, foot tissues, knee issues (I'm a backpacker): these are all pliable and flexible again--no morning stiffness either. I racked up 300 miles pain free this last season. I'm back.

My water bottles don't need weekly sanitizing. Monthly is fine. They don't ever really stink now.

Breathe is always good, even in the morning. No foot odor either.

No burping/farting immediately after carb consumption. I'm guessing small intestinal bacteria/fungal overgrowth is under control.

My dentist was shocked: very low plaque formation (probly the MSM) and lowered sensitivity (probly the moly).

Sleeping better: my liver isn't waking me up at 3am.

My liver felt a little swollen for years: that's gone.

Overall, I'd say the sulfur in MSM basically is used for all aspects of bacteria management.

So, I've raised and lowered the dose of both MSM and moly, using the acne from rosacea as the cue for the MSM and morning headaches as the cue for moly.

MSM: 1500 mg had a good impact, 2000 mg cleared up acne almost completely, 2500 mg has kept things immaculate for 2 months so far. And I mean immaculate--even the back of the scalp, along the hairline of the nape of the neck acne cysts are totally kicked (I'm 55 and that became an issue around 40 or so).

At 2500 mg of MSM (1000 mg at 8am, 1000 mg at 12pm, 500 mg at 5pm) it takes 1250 mcg of moly to balance (250 mcg, taken 5 times a day, 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8 pm). The shift of moly toward the evening failed. I began to tolerate the 5pm MSM after months of saturating with moly.

I take it for asthma - to breathe- so I have to take it morn and night.

My positive effects from MSM top out at about 1500 mg.

Take it all before noon, or insomnia will be a feature. Taper downward, too. The biggest dose first thing. Lowest dose at noon.

Processing sulfur requires molybdenum. You will use up molybdenum consuming sulfur, whether from supp's, food, preservatives, or sulfur chemistry like antibacterials. If your sulfur intake overruns your molybdenum intake, bad things happen. With more sulfur than can be processed, you bacically become allergic to it, until you get more molybdenum and can process it. Insomnia and migraine-like headaches are the standout symptoms.

Sulfur processing happens in the liver in the middle of the night. This is the key time when molybdenum is used up converting consumed sulfurs into forms usable by the body. So, while MSM is best taken in the morning, molybdenum should be reversed. Start dosing mid-afternoon, with the big bang at about 9 pm. If headaches pop up in early morning, increase the last dose of Mo until they disappear. In me, it takes around 1500-2000 mcg to cover 1500 mg of MSM. I don't store much, either. If I reduce the dose, early morning headaches soon follow.

Vitamin C is said to improve absorption. I eat a lot of fruit in the morning. More than about 500 mg of C per day starts to engage loose stool and 2nd and 3rd bowel movements in late morning. So I don't really take C.

Bowel issues from MSM have to do with not absorbing it out of the gut so that the sulfur goes to feeding organisms that should be in small amounts but instead proliferate on the excess sulfur in the gut. The very foul smelling stool is the big clue. Start low dose and work up. Include molybdenum from the start. Without the molly, you don't process. If you don't process, the sulfur in the MSM is in excess. If the sulfur is in excess, you have to stop absorbing. If you stop absorbing, the organisms get overfed deep in the gut. You have gut problems.

MSM and molybdenum are a team. Taking one without the other is the problem.

https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/organic-acids-test

"I wish there was a blood test which could reveal every single nutrient or vitamin a human may be seriously lacking in their life!"

Fabulous test to tell you just that.

My husband started taking MSM for his frozen shoulder. He believes it significantly helped. After taking it for about 2 weeks he came across an old interview with James Coburn, the actor. His RA was so debilitating, prescription drugs weren't helping. He discovered MSM and said that was the only thing that would help him get out of bed. (Me, I can't take it as it causes heart palps.)

Has anyone ever nebulized MSM?? For asthma or COPD. Thank you

I bought a 2 lb of MSM at tractor supply for horses. A lady friend told me I could personally use it and I'd appreciate any information you could give me. I appreciate your response and have a good day.

I was using black salve on a fumigating tumour on my head. For about 2 days, I had yellow oil leaving my pisser. Now I see how oil goes through you in dramatic times. Very glad to start to understand what was going on. Thanks for the post!

In your MSM posting you mention MSM from Kala health which is USA sourced and Bulk supplements which is China sourced. I'm wondering if anyone has used the PurforMSM for animals rather than the OptiMSM for humans by Kala?

It is quite a bit cheaper and it seems to be the same ingredients and gone through the same testing. Any results or issues from doing so? Thanks

I was checking into https://kalahealth.com/ingredients/msm/. One is for humans and the other for animals. The animal one is cheaper and appears to be the same/similar. Do you know if it's ok to use the animal version? Thank you

Hi Mary (MA) -

I apologize in advance for the long post!

I always start on a low dose and then increase it very gradually to avoid any stomach issues. This may be why I didn't have any side effects.

For the MSM, I started at 1/8 teaspoon of the crystals (sometimes called powder depending on the brand) which, according to the container, is 625 mg. I took this twice a day (with or without food) – once in the morning, then again in the early afternoon.

I put the crystals on my tongue and immediately drink water to flush it down. You can barely taste it this way. Also, it's very important to stay hydrated when taking MSM.

Over weeks, I gradually increased the dose (1/4 teaspoon, then 3/4 teaspoon, etc.) until I was taking 1 teaspoon (5 grams) twice a day.

For some reason I stopped at the beginning of Covid-19 when I started taking quite a few other supplements. But I'm back taking it – returning to a low dose, gradually increasing it until I'm taking 1 teaspoon twice daily.

Vitamin C enhances MSM.

I take ascorbic acid in crystal form (sometimes called powder) throughout the day (about 1/8 teaspoon which is 600 mg depending on your brand). I put it directly on my tongue and wash it down. If you do this every hour or so, you get a regular low-dose intake of Vitamin C. I had no reactions doing this (and it prompts me to drink water every hour!).

I always use the crystal or powder form of Vitamin C and MSM so I don't have the unwanted additives they use in capsules/tablets.

I like Andrew Saul's information on Vitamin C and other vitamins (like Niacin). He's a down-to-earth type of guy.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/

Best wishes!

Tessa

Hi Tessa!

What amount of MSM are you starting out with? And what type of vitamin c are you using? Just curious with all the side effects one can get at first with MSM. Thanks.

I do have MSM crystals but keep forgetting to take it.

However, after receiving an email regarding MSM and cardiovascular health, followed the next day by Earth Clinic's email about MSM's benefits, I have resolved to start taking it twice a day (with Vitamin C to enhance the effects).

I now leave the jar on my kitchen counter as a reminder – I'll see if that works.

The information about keeping our heart healthy was from a company that sells MSM but their information is free and they do provide references and sources at the end of the article if you want to do some more research.

https://happybodystore.com/blog/health-health-and-sulfur/?mc_cid=e05d0d8f0f&mc_eid=9424f320ec

Speaking of hearts, Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Take care,

Tessa

Hi,

How much MSM do you take daily? Thanks.

I loved the post on MSM but question the Bulk Supplement brand that was recommended. It comes from China. It is my understanding China has little or no manufacturing standards.

I have been taking MSM intended for horses, for the past 12 years. Started after hip replacement. Second hip was also in a bad way. Recent X rays indicated cartilage growth sufficient to never have second hip done!! Needless to say I have no arthritis or any other pains. I am 79 years old and walk 3km 4 times/week.

Thanks for sharing what MSM has done for you. I'm 70 and years and years of bad posture has left me me lower back pain and now hip bursitis. Big ouch as my grandson would say. I have been taking a quarter of a teaspoon twice a day for about five days and am going to increase it gradually. Not sure if it's wishful thinking but I do feel I'm moving slightly better. Plus my shoulder, which has been painful, seems to have suddenly got better. So you have given me hope.

Hi, what brand and which MSM are you using please. Thank you

Rsw,

I forgot to ask if your husband used the borax hand lotion long enough to see any benefit?

Thank you!

Art

Hi Rsw,

Regarding borax, a few things. Borax has a low toxicity that is even lower than table salt or roughly similar. If you look for studies on kidney toxicity from borax, if you can find any, they will have used dosing that is way beyond Ted's recommendations and there will be health issues under such conditions just as there would be if you consumed similar high doses of salt. You will be more likely to find studies showing that borax may have positive effects on the kidneys. Borax moves through the system quickly and Ted's actual protocol prevented any potential for toxic borax buildup because he called for 4 days supplementing and 3 days off.

The 3 days off was long enough to allow borax to clear, yet still get the very long lasting benefit of borax against multiple forms of arthritis with the 4 days on borax. I look at borax as more of an actual treatment that can reverse arthritis for every extended periods of time or possibly indefinitely, but I consider MSM as a very good pain reliever and antiinflammatory for some, but not me.

My experience with borax even when I was doing 5 days on and only 2 days off, is that it put my arthritis into remission for over 12 years now and I had a kidney and liver test done about a year ago with no problem with my kidneys or liver. I was concerned about taking borax when I was first contemplating starting on it, so I did as much reading as possible on it and I think that is what finally convinced me to start taking it as the very first box of borax I bought sat on the shelf for at least three months before I finally started taking it!

Another point is that I do not even take borax 3 days a week now. I probably average two times per week at most now and have gone well over three months with no return of symptoms after years of use. My psoriatic arthritis was "severe" and affected the majority of joints in my body. I may even be cured, but I won't stop taking borax because of its many other health effects in humans.

Topically applied borax is very poorly absorbed through the skin and that is why when I made a hand lotion for my brother in law, I was not sure if enough would be absorbed through the skin and dermal layers to be effective. It was, but it was slower than had he taken it orally. I think Ted once said that lower dosing would work, but it would just take longer to work and I think my brother in law's case tends to confirm what Ted said. I do not mean this as a knock on MSM because MSM works very well for some people in relieving pain and reducing inflammation and you can not really compare apples to oranges.

In the case of your husband, where he believes that borax will or could damage his kidneys at the dosing that Ted came up with, it may be better to follow what he believes rather than always being bothered by the idea that he is damaging his kidneys by taking borax. How are you doing and does the problem (OLP) persist or have you been able to figure out a resolution?

Art

Hi Art,

My husband stopped using the borax hand cream when he read that that even topical use might be a problem for people with kidney disease. That may have been the case with your neighbor. He is now using MSM, also, and having some pain relief with it. Thank you for your always helpful, well researched posts that have benefitted so many here.

Some years ago, a scientist announced that worldwide people are Vitamin D deficient, even those who are working in the sun. What he said was so controversial that he has been shut down. Cannot find his work anywhere and sadly didn't write down his name but am sure he was Scandinavian. I think he said that there is a change in our Sun.

I forgot to mention regarding my neighbor and MSM applied topically, she told me that it makes her skin softer and her hair fuller. She said she just spritzes her hair and skin with her spray bottle of MSM. Another friend that uses MSM from a spray bottle recently told me that her skin had started feeling rough and the MSM spray made it feel smooth again!

Art

Many people swear by MSM as an effective pain reliever in oral and topical application, but like other supplements, alternatives and prescription medications, it works excellently in some and not at all in some and in some, there can be unpleasant side effects.

As an example of this I will describe what happened with my sister and my neighbor who were both using mag oil (MO) for diverse body pain issues. Both were getting approximately 80% pain relief using Magnesium Oil (MO). My neighbor noticed, after years of use, that MO pain relief was declining and she came over to ask what I thought about it.

Previously she was using borax for pain management and it worked extremely well for her, but her doctor asked her to stop taking it, but did not explain why to her. From that point forward, her pain level increased and her quality of life (QOL) decreased very noticeably. I noticed when I would see her outside that she was moving very poorly and was obviously in pain. She normally had very good posture, but when I saw her outside, she was bent over and could not stand straight up. From that point forward she was using MO to effectively relieve the majority of her pain for years, but more recently she told me that MO seemed to be losing effectiveness for her and was wondering what else she could use. I asked her about going back on borax and she said her doctor was insistent that she not go back on borax, but still gave her no reason. Oddly, her doctor was not offering her anything to help her pain even though he could clearly see that she had deteriorated.

From that point forward, she started using topical MSM and that alleviated about 90 % of her pain so she was thrilled! She wasn't good with taking it orally because she couldn't get past the bitterness of it at the dosage she wanted to take and that dose made the MSM capsules too impractical for her. I was watching her and how she was moving and clearly the topical MSM was doing wonders for her. She was standing straight again and moving like a healthy 65 year old(she is in her early 80's). Needless to say, she is now a very happy lady!

On the other hand, my sister who is currently using MO to relieve pain in her neck and upper back with very good effect, wanted to give topical MSM a try also. First she tried it orally and found it to be too bitter to tolerate so she applied it similarly to how she normally applies MO and she was horrified to find out that almost immediately after applying MSM topically, she got that unbearable bitter taste in her mouth again! To add insult to injury, she also lost her sense of smell and taste for 2 to 3 days! She is now back on MO.For me, MSM and DMSO offer me no pain relief at all or at least none that I am able to discern, but I recognize that its effects vary widely from person to person. Borax on the other hand works unbelievably well for me while I have seen many people who did not benefit from borax. It's a lot about trial and error to see what works best for you.So there you have it, sometimes supplements work incredibly well for one person while being a nightmare for someone else or just not effective for the purpose!

Art

MSM has cured trigger thumb, frozen shoulder and joint pain (losing weight also helped with joints), and I have used it for two elderly dogs. It extended their quality of life substantially. One of those dogs came with us to Thailand - at 16 years old! Still likes and is able to run!

For nearly forty years I have had a problem with reactions to animal dander (horses, cats and some dogs).

After taking 1 tablespoon of msm 3 times a day they ceased!

I went through some detox reactions - headaches and mild flu like symptoms - lots of emotions surface, predominantly tears, but each episode passed quickly. It seemed with each emotional release my reactions to animal dander decreased so I embraced that by watching plenty of sad movies to speed up the process!

Msm has been life changing for me.

I use horse msm from Amazon, Its sold by the train load. I buy 5 lbs at a time. You need a source that moves fast like quantities for horses and the other thing you need while taking it is exercise to move the msm through your muscles.

Don't take it in water tastes awful, put it in your mouth in powder form and add water and swish it around for as long as you can, 5 minutes or more, take at least 2 T per day.

Four hours between doses. Read the ebook by jim clark "It's the Liver Stupid"

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

It's very interesting that you speak of headaches as this is supposed to be a brief side effect when starting this supplement. Another side effect I found was hair loss in the beginning but it levels out & soon there's new hair growing in. I'm not sure how much in need of this supplement my body was, I took it to relieve inflammation in the body & for that, after one month, I felt the difference & had no more discomfort or pain, plus your skin begins to feel softer. I wish there was a blood test which could reveal every single nutrient or vitamin a human may be seriously lacking in their life!

MSM: Headaches and nightmares and excessive thirst as a side effect but wow, almost pain free. Had pain in knees, neck, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulder, feet, back, fingers on right hand. I can function again without pain. Been only a week and a half since taking it.

For those who get a rash from MSM:

Any time the skin breaks out in a rash, that is a sign that the liver is detoxing. Over time it will go away. Just keep the dose low until it subsides, then you can increase it.

Scabies for 2 years nothing worked. I used MSM half a teaspoon 3 times a day 3 days later 60 per cent scabies sores healed. Amazing product lifesaver. I was at the end of the rope after trying literally hundreds of different things.

Thank God for MSM.