MSM Side Effects: What You Need to Know Before You Take It

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Palpitations
Posted by Marsh (Colorado) on 03/13/2021

We purchased pure MSM in November (2020). My husband takes it daily and he feels it's helped his frozen shoulder and joints.

After the 7th day of 1/2 teaspoon MSM, I was besieged by heart palpitations. They finally began lessening in January. Made appt with cardiologist, all tests came back fine. I increased magnesium to 400mg 3x day, a banana and himalayan sea salt, which eliminated the palps.

2 days ago, I tried about 1/8 teaspoon of MSM and yup, a couple palps occurred. I think I'll try 1-2 crystals because my joints were feeling much better to see if that keeps the joints and heart happy.


Palpitations
Posted by Sharon (Perth, Western Australia) on 09/13/2016

MSM helps with my fibromyalgia but I also get heart palpitations...if I keep taking it will heart palpitations go away?


Palpitations
Posted by Steve (Centennial, Co) on 10/29/2012

I have been taking MSM for the past week or so. I had heart palpitations yesterday. One thing that msm appears to do is purge the body of heavy metals. I suspect it may also take with it some of the necessary minerals that are key for the electrical signaling of the heart to function properly (like some other heavy metal detoxes I have taken before). As soon as I became aware of what was happening, I took a general overall mineral supplement and the palpitations ceased immediately. I will have to monitor this point forward. Less MSM. More minerals. For detox the key is not to take them together as then it is just sweeping out the minerals you took, rather than the heavy metals deeply imbedded in fat and bones. For detox it appears there needs to be 6-8 hours in between the taking of the minerals and the taking of the msm. Hope this helps in your own research.


Palpitations
Posted by Karen (Seligman, Mo, Usa) on 01/15/2011

Could someone help. This is strange. I started talking MSM a couple days ago and after second dose had palpitations and they don't stop and have been going on 24 hours now. I stopped taking MSM after it began and its still happening. Breath is hard to catch sometimes and I do not have these but maybe 2 a month and it's usually once. My BP is spiked at times and I have always had LOW LOW blood pressure. This is really creepy. I am also getting off white sugar at the same time and using brown for 4 days. So what's going on here? Don't yang about going to a Dr. If I hadn't already I wouldn't be here. They say nothing wrong but anemia.


Palpitations
Posted by Peggy64 (Montgomery, Al) on 10/07/2010

I don't take steroids and when I started the MSM, after a week or so, it caused me problems with elevated cortisol levels. So then, How would you explain that?


Palpitations
Posted by Allmymarbles (New York, New York) on 02/02/2010

WARNING!

MSM: Serious Side Effect

I started taking MSM for asthma. My husband takes it for arthritis and gets total relief. Unfortunately I reacted badly. I had developed high cortisol subsequent to using inhaled steroids (which I discontinued). The MSM drove the cortisol higher and I suffered an extremely high pulse rate, palpitations and insomnia. When I started using MSM I did not know of this side effect. So be warned. If you have high cortisol do not take this supplement. It can be very dangerous.


Palpitations
Posted by Lisa (Rockwell, NC) on 06/26/2008

WARNING!

MSM WARNING: I began having heart palpitations and chest tightness & discomfort after taking MSM for 3 weeks. It did help with hip pain but I had to discontinue it because of side effects. This forum is excellent! I'm glad to know it wasn't just my imagination & that other people have had these side effects.