Google AI
Question: Please summarize the strength of evidence for each of the DMSO claims from the 56 authors in the attached file. Please also use the internet. Please highlight any uses approved or in common use outside of the US
The provided PDF and supplementary internet searches reveal a robust body of evidence, derived from both research and anecdotal reports, supporting various claims about Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO). While its use in the US remains largely restricted by the FDA, a wider acceptance and array of applications are seen globally.
Strength of Evidence for DMSO Claims (from PDF and broader context):
- Tissue Healing & Wound Repair: High, supported by studies on chronic skin wounds (95.04% recovery rate in one study of 1371 chronic skin wounds), burn healing, surgical wound healing, enhanced viability of skin grafts, and reduced scarring and adhesions in animal and human studies (p. 8). This is a well-researched area with consistent positive findings (p. 8).
- Musculoskeletal Injuries & Chronic Pain: High, with numerous studies and accounts from early adopters and professional athletes detailing rapid and dramatic improvements in conditions like bursitis, sprains, strains, and arthritis (pp. 9-10). Specific studies on Dolobene gel (containing DMSO) show significant improvements in pain and swelling in athletes (p. 11).
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain Relief: High, with demonstrated effects in conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuropathic pain. Studies show DMSO reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and is effective in bladder pain syndrome (pp. 12, 22).
- Enhanced Drug Delivery: High, recognized for its ability to penetrate biological membranes and carry other substances into tissues, enhancing the effectiveness of co-administered drugs and therapies like Minoxidil and Finasteride for hair loss (pp. 12, 40).
- Cancer Treatment Adjuvant & Amyloidosis: Moderate to High, with animal studies demonstrating reduced tumor growth and vascular permeability, and human studies showing improved survival rates in certain colon and stomach cancers when used post-surgery (pp. 7-8). It also shows efficacy in preventing amyloid protein clumping and eliminating deposits in multiple myeloma amyloidosis (p. 8).
- Neuroprotective Effects (Strokes, Head Trauma, Neurological Disorders): Moderate to High, supported by emerging research showing improved cognitive function and reduced oxidative stress in traumatic brain injury models, and reduced infarction volume in stroke models (p. 22). Anecdotal reports also highlight its potential for conditions like Down Syndrome and dementia (pp. 1, 5).
- Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat & Dental Conditions: Moderate to High, with reported improvements in vision (macular degeneration, cataracts), hearing (tinnitus, chronic hearing loss), sinus issues, and periodontal disease, both in case studies and clinical observations (pp. 37-38).
- Hair Growth & Quality: Moderate, with a case report showing hair regeneration and color restoration in an amyloidosis patient and anecdotal reports of improved growth and thickness (p. 40). Its primary role here is seen as a penetration enhancer for other treatments (p. 40).
- Protection Against Toxins & Cellular Protection: Moderate, based on preliminary studies and anecdotal reports suggesting it can mitigate damage from environmental toxins like air pollution and wildfire smoke when combined with antioxidants (p. 12).
DMSO Uses Approved or in Common Use Outside of the US:
- Canada: Health Canada classifies DMSO as a Natural Health Product, allowing its free use in natural health products without a prescription for most applications, except for veterinary use, interstitial cystitis, and scleroderma in humans, where it remains prescription-only (p. 18). Licensed natural health products containing DMSO are approved for topical use to "temporarily reduce pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions of the large joints" (p. 18).
- European Union (including Germany): Regulatory acceptance is broader than in the US, facilitated by a Certificate of Suitability to European Pharmacopoeia Monographs (p. 18). Germany was an early adopter, marketing DMSO since 1965 (p. 18).
- Eastern Europe and Russia: A "healthy market" exists for topical products containing DMSO as an excipient, with a long tradition of medical use, including in Russian army hospitals during World War I for wounds, injuries, and fractures (p. 18).
- Globally (125 countries, including Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Australia, some European and South American countries): Doctors regularly prescribe DMSO for a variety of ailments, including pain, inflammation, scleroderma, interstitial cystitis, and arthritis (p. 19).
- Veterinary Applications: Approved in various countries for veterinary use, with a broader range of applications than seen in human medicine in the US (p. 19).
FDA Stance and International Contrast:
The FDA's restrictive approach in the US, primarily driven by a pivotal decision in the 1960s and concerns about potential toxicity, contrasts sharply with the broader regulatory acceptance and common usage of DMSO in many other countries (p. 18). The only FDA-approved human use in the US is for treating interstitial cystitis (p. 18). This divergence has led to significant market disparities and limited patient access in the US compared to international counterparts (p. 19).
Perplexity AI
Based on my analysis of the 56-author compilation and current research, here's a comprehensive assessment of DMSO claims and their evidence strength:
Strongest Evidence (8-9/10)
Interstitial Cystitis Treatment
- Evidence: FDA approved since 1978, multiple RCTs confirming efficacy
- Global Status: Primary approved treatment worldwide
- Strength: 9/10 - Gold standard treatment
Cryopreservation Agent
- Evidence: Extensively used in stem cell/organ preservation, proven safety record
- Global Status: Widely approved globally for medical cryopreservation
- Strength: 9/10 - Industry standard
Veterinary Anti-inflammatory (Horses)
- Evidence: FDA approved for horses/dogs since 1970, extensive veterinary studies
- Global Status: Standard veterinary treatment worldwide
- Strength: 8/10 - Well-established veterinary use
Moderate Evidence (6-7/10)
Stroke and Brain Injury Treatment
- Evidence: Multiple animal studies, case reports, limited human trials
- Global Status: EU orphan drug designation for severe closed traumatic brain injury
- Strength: 7/10 - Promising but needs larger trials
Scleroderma Treatment
- Evidence: Cleveland Clinic study of 43 patients showed significant improvement
- Global Status: Used off-label in various countries
- Strength: 7/10 - Limited but compelling human data
Pain Management/Anti-inflammatory
- Evidence: Meta-analysis showed statistically but not clinically significant pain reduction
- Global Status: Approved in Canada/EU for topical joint pain treatment
- Strength: 6/10 - Mixed clinical results
Wound Healing and Burn Treatment
- Evidence: Multiple studies, extensive veterinary use, anecdotal reports
- Global Status: Common in veterinary practice, off-label human use
- Strength: 6/10 - Good animal data, limited human trials
Radiation Protection
- Evidence: Multiple animal studies, case reports for radiation burns
- Global Status: Used off-label for radiation therapy side effects
- Strength: 6/10 - Promising preclinical data
Limited Evidence (3-5/10)
Skin Conditions (Various)
- Evidence: Multiple small studies on psoriasis, eczema, herpes with mixed results
- Global Status: Used in topical formulations in EU/Canada
- Strength: 5/10 - Mixed clinical results
Cancer Treatment
- Evidence: In vitro studies, case reports, no large RCTs
- Global Status: No regulatory approval anywhere
- Strength: 4/10 - Promising laboratory data only
Hair Loss Treatment
- Evidence: Anecdotal reports, one case study
- Global Status: Not approved anywhere
- Strength: 3/10 - Insufficient clinical data
Alzheimer's/Dementia Treatment
- Evidence: One small study of 18 patients
- Global Status: Not approved anywhere
- Strength: 3/10 - Very preliminary data
Key International Differences from US
Most Permissive: Canada (classified as natural health product for most uses)
Moderately Permissive: European Union (topical products approved, orphan drug status for brain injury)
Most Restrictive: United States (only approved for interstitial cystitis in humans)
Widespread Global Use: Veterinary medicine (approved in most countries for animal use)
Growing Markets: Asia-Pacific region, with China accounting for >30% of global market volume
The evidence suggests DMSO has established efficacy for specific conditions (interstitial cystitis, cryopreservation, veterinary anti-inflammatory use) but remains experimental for many other claimed uses. International regulatory approaches are generally more permissive than the FDA's restrictive stance.
References
- https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/8349735/85a08a79-f022-4b5c-adaf-db783d8bb278/MetaList-dmso-56-save-as-PDF_CompressPdf.pdf
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-dmso
- https://naturtotalshop.com/en/was-ist-dmso-creme/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-40660-0
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2989383/
- https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/scheduling-decisions-interim/publication-interim-decisions-proposing-amend-or-not-amend-current-poisons-standard-september-2018/22-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3135791/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18021-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-bladder-irrigation
- https://science.feedback.org/beware-miracle-cure-claims-dmso/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3460663/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772973723009165
- https://www.pharmtech.com/view/dimethyl-sulfoxide-usp-pheur-approved-pharmaceutical-products-and-medical-devices
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01074567
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8247858/
- https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/dnd-mdn/documents/health/nutrition/supplement-fact-sheet-dmso.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532338225000399
- https://www.ichelp.org/understanding-ic/medical-treatments/bladder-instillations/
- https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-history/dmso-not-cure-all-fdas-panic-over-it-birthed-myth
- https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05090085?term=SQ-9453&rank=6
- https://www.drugs.com/cons/dimethyl-sulfoxide.html
- https://www.ichelp.org/recent-trial-fails-effectively-compare-dmso-chondroitin-sulphate-2-bladder-instillations-icpbs/
- https://ker.com/equinews/update-dmso-use-horses/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/medical-grade-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-market-applications-tz2uf
- https://equusmagazine.com/diseases/dmso-for-horses-8468
- https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-market/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1093/ecam/nep045
- https://nexgenvetrx.com/3-d-cream-diclofenac-sodium-dexamethasone-dmso-topical-cream-16oz/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/medical-grade-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-market-applications-united-ae4ff
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38416086/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9537081/
- https://dataintelo.com/report/dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-market
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6707402/
- https://petrx.com/products/horse-supplies-supplements-dmso-inflammation-gel-for-horses-4-oz
- https://www.chemicalbook.com/article/applications-of-dimethyl-sulfoxide-in-chemical-and-medical-industry.htm
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1465324924000537
- https://safety.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk5206/files/inline-files/DMSO%20SOP.pdf
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-322-3-million-global-opportunity-for-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-by-2026-new-research-from-strategyr-301486274.html
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nau.70036
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-topical
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-market-141900233.html
The DMSO file that the AIs had access to - in addition to the web
Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
FDA over-reacted to the thalidomide disaster of 1962 and rejected DMSO in 1965
A single mouse was given far too much DMSO, and then had vision problems
DMSO in concentations >3% can CAUSE health problems - Sept 2025
High-Dose DMSO: A Mitochondrial Disruptor Orthomolecular Medicine]
Biphasic dose-response:
- "At low doses, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects predominate, leading to protection and healing."
- "At high doses, physical disruption of membranes and excess ROS generation override defenses, causing dysfunction and cell death."
Related in VitaminDWiki
Transcutaneous enhancers (DMSO, etc) for Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Resveratrol, Magnesium, etc.