About
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a chemical compound that comes from wood pulp. It’s a clear, colorless liquid with a slightly oily texture and a unique garlic-like odor. While initially used as an industrial solvent, DMSO’s potential therapeutic properties were discovered in the 1960s, leading to its use in various medical applications. It’s best known for its penetrating ability, meaning it can be absorbed through the skin and carried deep into tissues and past the blood brain barrier into the brain.
Why
Chronic pain management: For conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Inflammatory conditions: Used experimentally for autoimmune diseases or severe inflammatory disorders including arthritis, tendinitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Sports injuries: To speed up recovery in cases of muscle strain or joint issues including musculoskeletal injuries, nerve pain, and headaches.
Neurodegenerative diseases: Some studies suggest it might help in conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson’s due to its antioxidant properties, though the evidence is sparse.
Interstitial Cystitis- the only FDA approved use for DMSO as a bladder insufflation
Cancer
Skin Conditions: DMSO may be beneficial for certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Improved Circulation: DMSO may help improve blood flow and reduce blood clotting, potentially benefiting individuals with circulatory issues.
💉 DMSO IV Benefits
When DMSO is used intravenously, it’s typically administered for severe inflammatory conditions or certain chronic diseases. Some of the benefits include:
Anti-inflammatory effects: Reduces swelling and inflammation in the body.
Pain relief: Often used for pain management in conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or injuries.
Improved circulation: DMSO is thought to enhance blood flow, possibly benefiting cardiovascular conditions.
Antioxidant properties: Helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress.
Penetration enhancer: It can increase the absorption of other medications or nutrients, sometimes used to help other compounds reach deeper tissues.
While DMSO can be applied topically or taken orally, IV therapy offers distinct advantages:
Enhanced Bioavailability: Intravenous (IV) administration delivers DMSO directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and ensuring rapid distribution throughout your body.
Targeted Delivery: IV therapy allows for precise dosage control and targeted delivery to areas of concern.
Rapid Response: IV therapy can provide a more immediate response, especially for acute conditions or when rapid relief is desired.
Dosage and Administration
DMSO IV therapy is delivered through a small intravenous catheter placed in the arm. Infusions are administered slowly and in a controlled manner to allow for gradual absorption and to reduce potential discomfort.
General administration:
20–40 cc: Typically infused over a minimum of 1 hour.
50 cc or higher: Administered over 2–3 hours, or adjusted based on patient tolerance.
Higher-dose therapy: In cases of more serious degenerative conditions—such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis, or advanced arthritis—dosing may be increased up to 20 cc, sometimes given as a wide-open bolus to enhance efficacy.
Adjunctive use: Because of its unique ability to penetrate deeply into tissues and cross the blood-brain barrier, DMSO is often administered directly before an IV Vitamin C or Curcumin infusion. This can improve cellular absorption and therapeutic penetration of these therapies.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
DMSO IV therapy is generally safe when administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential side effects, including:
Garlic-like odor on breath and skin: This is a common side effect and usually temporary.
Mild discomfort or burning at the IV site: This is typically temporary and can be minimized with proper IV placement and infusion techniques.
Nausea or headache: These side effects are generally mild and transient.
It’s important to note that DMSO can increase the absorption of other substances applied to the skin. We’ll advise you on any necessary precautions during treatment.
Our Approach: Personalized Care and Safety
At Libertas Integrative Health, we prioritize your safety and well-being. Before recommending DMSO IV therapy, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment, including:
Reviewing your medical history: We’ll discuss your current health conditions, medications, and any allergies or sensitivities.
Evaluating organ function: We may recommend tests to assess your liver and kidney function to ensure you can safely tolerate DMSO IV therapy.
Discussing your health goals: We’ll take the time to understand your expectations and desired outcomes for DMSO therapy.
Based on this assessment, we’ll determine the appropriate dosage and frequency of DMSO IV therapy to meet your individual needs.
Nutritional Synergy:
Supporting DMSO Benefits
While DMSO IV therapy can provide targeted support, maintaining optimal health with proper nutrition is essential.
Antioxidant-rich Foods: Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to provide antioxidants that support DMSO’s protective effects.
Sulfur-rich Foods: DMSO is a sulfur compound. Including sulfur-rich foods like garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables may support its function.
Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial for overall health and detoxification processes.
DMSO and Its Interplay with Other Vitamins and Minerals
DMSO may enhance the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, including:
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that works synergistically with DMSO to protect cells from damage.
Magnesium: Magnesium plays a role in numerous bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, and may be beneficial in conjunction with DMSO therapy.
Evaluating Organ Function
While DMSO IV therapy is generally safe, we may recommend evaluating specific organ functions to ensure your body can effectively utilize this therapy and maintain overall health. This may include assessing:
Liver Function: The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing DMSO. We may assess liver enzymes to ensure optimal function.
Kidney Function: The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products, including metabolites of DMSO. We may assess kidney function through blood and urine tests.
As a natural compound which molecular structure is smaller than water, DMSO can easily penetrate tissue cell walls. Once absorbed into the cells, DMSO seems to have a way of forcing toxins out of the cells. The toxins are then carried out thru the Urinary tract.
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a by-product of the wood industry, has been used as a commercial solvent since 1953. Worldwide, some 11,000 articles have been written on its medical and clinical implications, and in 125 countries throughout the world, including Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan.
It is used for pain, inflammation, interstitial cystitis, arthritis, scleroderma, cancer, and elevated intracranial pressure. DMSO works as a cancer therapy by promoting differentiation (a process of transforming primitive rapidly growing cells into more normal behaving cells that do not grow). DMSO also has been demonstrated to stimulate a tumor suppressor protein called HLJ1, which reduces tumor cell invasion and metastases.
IV DMSO for Cancer Treatment
As a hydrogen bond disruptor, Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) diminishes inflammation by reducing free radicals and preventing the oxidation of lipoproteins. DMSO is not naturally produced and must be obtained through supplementation.
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is metabolically converted to Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) within the body. MSM is a sulfur compound that is essential for all bodily systems and normal organ functions. Although naturally occurring, MSM is easily destroyed by constant utilization and excretion.
DMSO and MSM have been used for many years by athletes to treat painful muscles and joints. They are also beneficial for the healing of wounds due to their ability to act therapeutically as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal.
Intravenous (IV) Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) therapy is considered experimental and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of any disease. Scientific research on IV DMSO is ongoing, and while some patients report benefits, its safety and efficacy have not been established by large-scale clinical trials.
Potential risks may include infusion site irritation, headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, garlic-like body odor, or allergic reactions. Because DMSO penetrates biological membranes and can carry other substances into the body, its use requires careful medical oversight. It may not be appropriate for individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have significant liver or kidney disease, or are on certain medications. IV DMSO should only be administered under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional familiar with its use.
The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Patients are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician or specialist before pursuing IV DMSO therapy to ensure it is safe and appropriate for their individual circumstances.