That was basically the gist of an article I read at another preparedness blog a couple of months ago.[1] Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is perfectly legal and quite accessible. Based on the research I did, I’m not sure I’d call it an alternative for morphine, though the author of that article asserted that it served her well during her recovery from major surgery.
However, I did learn quite a bit that I thought you’d be interested in.
MSM is a naturally occurring substance found in our food, water, soil, and even our bodies. It just doesn’t occur in large quantities. It’s produced by the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)[2], a healing substance I also covered here some time ago.
It’s most commonly used worldwide to manage the pain of arthritis and often combined with glucosamine or chondroitin.[3] [4] And as you might recall, I have a great fear of developing arthritis, just like my grandmother did. If I follow in her footsteps, I’ve got about five years before it hits. That’s reason enough for me to start using it.
However, as I continued to research, seeking (and not finding) information on those “morphine-like” effects, I came across a lot of other good stuff. I’m always a sucker for anything that will potentiate antibiotics or defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Unfortunately, research with MSM is still young. There’s still so much to learn.
A few studies indicate MSM has efficacy against the following bacteria, all in in vitro experiments:
All of the above were with antibiotic resistant infections. And interestingly, the studies showed that MSM did not actually work directly on the bacteria. Rather, it works by stimulating the immune system.[8]
Why does MSM exert these effects? The research indicates that it’s quite possibly due to the sulfur. Sulfur is the 8th most abundant element in the body. But have you ever seen the US RDA recommendations for sulfur consumption? No? Well that’s because there are none. We do know that sulfur is essential for the following:
- Healthy hair, nails, and skin[9] (Just a few years ago, my nails became weaker.)
- Insulin production[10] (And then type-2 diabetes started very gradually. Connection?)
- Reducing inflammation and the arthritis pain[11]
USAGE
- Dental
- Gastrointestinal
- Hepatic
- Musculoskeletal
- Arthritis[22] [23] [24] [25]
- Especially when combined with glucosamine[26]
- Bursitis[27]
- Inflammation[28]
- Exercise-induced inflammation, acute[29]
- Joint/muscle pain[30]
- Lower back pain[31] [32]
- Reduce exercise-induced muscle damage
- Pretreatment[33]
- Tendinitis[34]
- Tenosynovitis[35]
- Respiratory
- Skin
- Abrasions[40]
- Burns[41] [42]
- Cuts[43]
- Rosacea, esp when combined with silymarin (milk thistle) [44] [45]
- Smooth and soften skin[46]
- Strengthen nails[47]
- Stretch marks[48]
- Vitiligo[49]
- Wounds[50]
- Wrinkles[51]
- Urogenital
- Other
Common dosages range from 500 mg, 2 times per day, to 3000 mg once per day. No optimal dosages have been established. [62] One study showed 4 g per day to be safe. [63] A couple more found that 6 g per day also appears to be safe.[64] [65] Three grams per day for 6 months may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea.[66] Consider dividing the daily dosages if diarrhea becomes a problem.
As MSM is a common supplement, it is sold in capsules in various strengths by numerous manufacturers. It's also available in a bulk powder through PureBulk.com.
Contraindications: Due to a lack of testing, MSM should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.[67] There are no known food, herb, or drug interactions.[68] [69]
Links to related posts:
Boost Antibiotic Efficacy with Medicinal Herbs
[1] https://survivalblog.com/2025/01/03/update-a-legal-low-cost-readily-available-painkiller-by/
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[3] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[4] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32522082/
[6] https://academic.oup.com/jambio/article-abstract/127/6/1677/6714505?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false
[7] https://academic.oup.com/jambio/article-abstract/127/6/1677/6714505?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016158902200181X?via%3Dihub
[9] https://www.sulphurinstitute.org/pub/?id=8c64bf34-bc30-5bd9-0719-f6de83f7e841&ref=tome-control-de-su-salud
[10] https://www.sulphurinstitute.org/pub/?id=8c64bf34-bc30-5bd9-0719-f6de83f7e841&ref=tome-control-de-su-salud
[11] https://www.sulphurinstitute.org/pub/?id=8c64bf34-bc30-5bd9-0719-f6de83f7e841&ref=tome-control-de-su-salud
[12] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39819670/
[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34671266/
[14] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[15] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[16] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[17] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[18] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28666801/
[19] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38099147/
[20] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34684621/
[21] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[22] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[23] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23011466/
[24] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38948650/
[25] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37447322/
[26] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[27] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[28] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[29] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[30] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[31] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[32] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229919306417
[33] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[34] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[35] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[36] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[37] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[38] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[39] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[40] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[41] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[42] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[43] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[44] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[45] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[46] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[47] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[48] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[49] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38924609/
[50] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[51] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[52] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[53] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[54] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39114894/
[55] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[56] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[57] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[58] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[59] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[60] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[61] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[62] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[63] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
[64] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016158902200181X?via%3Dihub
[65] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229919306417
[66] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[67] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[68] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/msm-methylsulfonylmethane-uses-and-risks
[69] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38138558/
