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.
Headache
Posted by Joyce (Manteca, Ca Usa) on 04/13/2013
I was so happy to find this site. I took 2 tsp MSM for 2 days and 1/2 tsp for 2 days and 3 weeks later I'm still having reactions. I wake in the middle of the night with my body buzzing and I'm having headaches (which I've never had in my life). My energy level is very low. I'm 75 and very healthy otherwise; I'm still working as a substiture teacher. I'm allergic to sulfa and that may be the problem since some others on the site said they were unable to take MSM because of that. I was really hoping it would help with my shoulder problems. I have a damaged rotator cuff (inoperable) from hairstyling for 34 years.
How to Deal with Side Effects
Posted by Dawn (USA) on 05/21/2022
★★★★★
I've had the same experience. Started taking for my back pain I've had since a really bad accident years ago. The pain got excruciating for a week or two then it went away after so kept taking. I still take daily and have none of the severe pains I was living with for the last 15 plus years.
Anxiety, Dry Skin, Cold, Panic
Posted by Russia (Gaborone, Botswana) on 10/08/2022
Hey Ana, I started taking MSM 4 weeks ago. I had severe system parasitic infection for over 20 years. Anyway, one of the last cleansing processes I needed to do was clear the toxins left in my body by the dying parasites. Enter MSM. I started adding it to my juices and after a week I had slight pain in my head (my brain to be exact). Took two weeks and I had insomnia. Then I had itching all over my body.
3 days ago, I learned that when you take MSM you have to take hot water baths since the toxins released can be sent to the skin. I did, and all the itching stopped. I simply add sea salt to my bath - about 2-3 tablespoons at night. I find it very relaxing. For those worried about low molybdenum levels try eating brazil nuts if you are not allegic to them. One or two per day has lots of molybdenum.
Try taking the MSM with a blended juice of beetroot, carrot, cabbage (celery, if you want), apple and a bit of spinach or other green leafy veges (not a lot). The chlorophyll in the greens provides magnesium too.
I feel good. I have energy and can exercise well - started calisthenics at age 49! I sleep well too. The pain in the brain has gone. I had itchy eyes for a day or two and that stopped too.
Other things I take include broths of bone, vegetable, fish and chicken - I mix them altogether in a cup. Maybe the entire combo potentiates each other, I don't know.
Hair Loss, Fatigue
Posted by Art (California) on 05/14/2022 2326 posts
Denise,
It seems reasonable to stop the FGDE for three months to see if your reported symptoms reverse. Three months is a reasonable amount of time when testing effects on the hair because it grows slowly. It clearly does not seem to be working for your hair at this point anyway. There are silica containing supplements which may also be effective for your hair and nails if it turns out the FGDE is the cause of your problems.
As far as the MSM, it can be used topically as a cream or spray that you can make yourself and may be similarly effective as oral consumption. You can spray it directly on the affected joints. Usually 4 to 5 grams of MSM per ounce of distilled water is what I have found useful.
Art
Anxiety, Caution for Pets
Posted by Deirdre (Ct) on 08/28/2020
Thank you for your great post on MSM, Art!
I think people do need to be very careful when they take MSM orally. I have taken it in the past and it caused anxiety and this sensation of pressure on the heart that was intense! I think that is a common side effect for people starting out on MSM.
Turns out you also have to be equally careful with dogs too! I gave a very small amount to my dogs in their dinner recently to help with arthritis and the next day, one of them wouldn't stop whining all day. He was clearly feeling punk from the supplement. No more of that! After 24 hours it left his system and he was back to his happy old boy self.
I will have to try it topically (on myself, not the dogs) and see if has the same side effects.
Extreme Detox Symptoms
Posted by Fiona (Kilkenny) on 05/12/2018
I believe this is the most accurate take. MSM is wildly powerful: many of us looking for wholistic "cures" are already quite unwell and the detox process is no joyride. Take Vit C, start small with the pure MSM powder (and v.early in the morning) and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Add some physical movement, again start out gently, and enjoy the road to recovery!
Progesterone
Posted by Rvee (Finland) on 02/28/2017
I have used MSM powder(Doctors Best) two periods. I started with a small dose 1/4 teasp to 1 tablespoon.
It helped my back pain but what really scared me off was excess hairloss and PMS. I´m not kidding, I lost both periods on MSM half of my hair. I was really sceptical it was MSM what was causing those, but had to believe since it happened twice.
I created very sore breasts and I act like a maniac before menses so I had to get rid of MSM.
Now I´d like to know, since there is so little information of MSM and women hormone balance, what is actually causing this? My own opinion is that women with oestrogen dominance suffer the most of MSM. MSM might somehow decrease progesteron levels on pre-menopausal women. I found earlier a link about the progesterone levels and MSM, but I lost it.
Do you have any information about this?
Headache
Posted by Zach (Upstate, Ny) on 11/14/2015
I recently started taking MSM (about 3 days ago) first day I took 1000 mg tablet on my way home from work (I stopped at a local supermarket at 5:15 am cause I work overnights) and had insomnia that night... should have read not to take it before bed. So I tried it the next day 1000 mg 2x's. Felt exhausted, slight headache and I drank distilled water about half a gallon.
Next day I took 3 tablets (1000 mg each) finished the other half a gallon of distilled water and had same symptoms. I woke up after that my eyes were pounding in my skull worse headache and exhausted more than usual. I want to take advantage of the benefits but I can't do 2 weeks of the detoxing.
Could it be I got a low quality (wegmans brand MSM), taking too high a dose (i weigh 230 6'5 male) , or is it just not for me? I take atenolol for pre hypertension celexa for my social anxiety, and aderal for adhd. my anxiety gives me slight ocd like behaviors as far as "ticks" go. I have zero emotion on the meds so I'm trying to get off them.
Headache
Posted by Mary (Tn) on 04/23/2016
Sounds like your dosage is too high too soon. Headaches are a sure sign of that. Start low, and add dosages week by week. If you get headaches or any undesirable affect back down on dosages for awhile then proceed to desirable dosage.
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.
Depression
Posted by TammyQ (Chicago, IL) on 11/18/2008
MSM caused severe mood swings in me, then severe depression, so if you have mood disorders, I don't recommend to take it.
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.
Anxiety, Dry Skin, Cold, Panic
Posted by Art (California) on 02/25/2024 2326 posts
Hi GiftOpfer der MSM-Lügen,
Earth Clinic has been on top of the situation with MSM, not only telling us the good reports of the community members, but also the potential negative side effects as discussed here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/msm-side-effects.html
While many people report very good results with MSM including myself and friends, obviously MSM gives many people new problems as discussed in the above link which EC was smart enough to warn potential users about the potential downsides of MSM! One consideration is that some MSM products may not be what they claim to be.
Art
Depression, Exhaustion, Mental Fog
Posted by Michelle (UT) on 09/14/2023
I took a small amount of MSM one day because I had read about so many health benefits of sulfur. I felt great at first, but then when I took another small dose I started feeling like you did, Extremely tired, lethargic, etc. I felt like I had been drugged and I just wanted to sleep all day. It really concerned me and I read up on what was happening to me. Apparently some of us don't process sulfur well and it can build up in our systems as well as the toxins that it knocks loose. The mineral molybdenum helps to convert the sulfur into a more useable form for the body, as well as helping to get rid of the toxins from the sulfur. I took two doses of molybdenum a few hours apart and felt like a new woman! I strongly suggest you start taking molybdenum to counteract the effects of the sulfur from the MSM. Good luck!
Hair Loss, Fatigue
Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 05/14/2022
MSM is for repairs and requires added vitamin C.
Anxiety
Posted by Trisha (Columbus, Indiana) on 07/22/2016
I believe this is my problem! I've had other issues with high acetylcholine with fish oil supplements. I never put two and two together that MSM could affect choline levels. My joints and muscles have gotten terrible since starting MSM. Did your symptoms go away quickly after stopping MSM?
Anxiety
Posted by Marsh (Colorado) on 05/10/2021
Yes, magnesium is important. I think I may have leaky gut or my system doesn't absorb what it requires. I have to take 2-3 400mg magnesium, a banana for potassium and use Himalayan salt every day or my calf cramps at night and heart palpitations can be brutal. Calm is good but after taking it for 2 years, my teeth became sensitive to the citric acid. Someone here on EC suggested Black walnut for tooth sensitivity and it works very well.
Headache
Posted by Janet (Indiana) on 11/15/2015
Zach, When I started MSM the first time I could not breath, felt awful. Found Earth Clinic, got off wheat products. Then I tried MSM again. No problems. First check the ingredients if it contains titanium dioxide, it can make you sicker than whatever you are taking the supplement for. There are other ingredients that are not great but titanium dioxide seems the worst offender. I have read much about it and the new nano technology and it is the first additive to be used with this in it. I inadvertently took MSM with it and was very ill for 2 months headaches aches tiredness just terrible feeling. I also had some chest tightness. I upped my usage of alkalizing drinks of Apple Cider Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to three a day, and used hydrogen peroxide spray from Earth Clinic's video to push it out of my system .I am almost over it, it took awhile, about a month. Janet
Insomnia
Posted by Nicole (Australia) on 12/23/2013
Hi everyone, I first decided to take msm sulphur because I wanted to detox and see if it could improve my rosacea and keratosis pilaris, among other health problems. I took 1 tsp for a week, the first few days I noticed it make my insomnia worse so I decided to take it in the morning, but nothing changed my insomnia was still worse, I also noticed my constipation was worse. I decided not to take it today and actually had a bowel movement. I just wanted to know am I taking too much? how much should I start off with? I was only taking 1 tsp why was this happening? Thanks in advance for your help:)
Anxiety
Posted by Kathy (Covington, Virginia) on 11/26/2010
I have read all the feedback on msm. Now I am confused. I am having pain in my knees and legs. Have for sometime. I mix 2 capsules of msm in lotion and apply as much as needed. This seems to help, but not for long. I would like to start taking msm by mouth, but now if it causes anxiety i can't do that. I already have chronic anxiety and am taking zoloft, have been for ten years. The msm i use is pure. What can i do?
Anxiety
Posted by B (Munich) on 12/25/2022
According to my own (bad) Experiences, I do explicitly NOT recommend taking MSM together with Zoloft (Sertraline). MSM can strongly affect the Effects of SSRI-Antidepressants.
Hives
Posted by Lana (Carthage, MO) on 03/12/2009
I have learned something interesting with MSM. I took the NOW brand for 30 days to help with Lupus. It was working great w/no side effects other than insomnia, which stopped when I cut the dosage down from 4000 mg daily to 20000 mg daily. (take it first thing in the morning) After finishing that bottle, a friend offered me a bottle that she was not going to take. It was a different brand than I had taken previously. Within 2 days, I had hives & swelling up my arms & a severe headache. I talked to the owwner of a Health Food Store in town & she said some MSM products are not as pure as others. This particular brand had 345 mg of sulfur in it. The reaction I had was to the sulfur, not the MSM. I stopped it & the rash & headache went away. I am back to taking the NOW brand with no problems. Make sure you buy your MSM at a reputable dealer, not just anywhere. Talk to the salesperson & be sure it is pure MSM.
Migraines
Posted by Elsa (New York, NY) on 01/03/2009
Re MSM, BACK PAIN, AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES:
MSM and glucosamine in combination were extremely helpful to my lower back and hip pain (arthritis), but it triggered daily migraines, so I had to stop taking it. I can take glucosamine alone without getting the headaches.
But about arthritic pain: I have found that applying arnica gel, which I get at the health food store or from iherb, stops the pain. (It also helps prevent/reduce bruising.) I wake up with a bad backache, apply a tsp or so onto my back and hip (rubbing it in well), and can get back to sleep.
I wish I could take MSM. My husband takes it every day and has no aches or pains.
Rash
Posted by Art (California) on 05/12/2023 2326 posts
Body Aches
Posted by Jas (Plano, Texas) on 08/11/2022
MSM SIDE EFFECTS: I accidentally skipped a dose and my body aches are better and no leg cramps... those were severe and nightly and concerning. Have been on normal dose for weeks... but forget it... am done.
Depression, Exhaustion, Mental Fog
Posted by Windsor (Destin) on 07/18/2022
Hm. That is a truly unfortunate turn of events.
* Please list the other vitamins you took.
* Has your leg infection changed at all?
Activated charcoal, magnesium sulfate, psyllium husk may help manage any associated detox symptoms. Probably just use according to the package instructions for intestinal cleanse.
Detox may cause severe and varried symptoms similar to your description. Research "stage two detox". You may just have an overwhelming "stage 1 detox" going on.
If you feel it is an emergency, you may consider making an appointment with a doctor.
Anxiety, Caution for Pets
Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 08/29/2020
Hi Deirdre,
Recently, my husband was having pain in his golf hands, and he read that MSM could be helpful. I told him I had some powder and he is using it with good results. However, when I got it out, I have written in black magic marker, “Not for RW! Allergic! Do Not Take.” I am allergic to sulfa medicines, and I think this is the reason I can't take MSM. It is the only supplement I have marked with a warning. I honestly can't remember what happened, but it may have been breathing or anxiety problems, but must have been bad for me to label it that way. It seems to work well to relieve pain for many people.
Weight Gain, Fatigue, Emotional
Posted by Heathnut (Illinois) on 07/13/2018
The Negative Side Effects of MSM​
I used MSM for several weeks. Though I was very pleased with having thicker, more lustrous hair, stronger nails, No arthritis pain and increased energy, I couldn't help but notice that I gained 14 pounds!! After continued use, I became an emotional mess, along with fatigue as opposed to energy. I stopped for a week and the weight is dropping. I want the beautiful, skin, hair and nails to continue. Is there a comparable supplement?
Elevated Cortisol Levels
Posted by Sarah (Nsw Australia) on 02/02/2018
I started taking MSM 5 years ago. It has helped me with inflammation in my body. Firstly, always check that MSM is streamed distilled and not solvent distilled, there is a big difference. Most MSM comes from China where it is chemically distilled and not good for your kidneys. I recently found out that my cortisol level is high and this could be due to MSM so I have come off it and can already feel my aches and pains returning.
My point is get your cortisol levels checked just to be on the safe side of MSM.
Also, when MSM is ground into a powder it depletes the benefits by half. They grind it as to make it easier to package. There are companies that do offer steamed distilled MSM but you need to ask them, and most of them don't know. If it comes from China, it will be chemically distilled. To buy MSM from China direct would cost about $12 a kg.
I buy mine from Canada through an agent. I just wanted to share that often we don't know what we are taking or how it's produced. Ask before you buy, only buy granules and be aware your controls level may be elevated from taking it.
Digestive Problems
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 08/03/2017 2048 posts
It appears you are not properly absorbing the MSM. Try Oil of Oregano softgels + one spoon of Milled Flax Seed once or twice daily for couple wks, then add one gram Vit-C taken with the MSM, and you should notice some positive changes.
Progesterone
Posted by Sdm (Northern New Jersey) on 12/28/2017
I also saw hair loss but then I saw regrowth of what appeared to be thicker strands. I think MSM is a serious nutrient we do not know enough about & it appears to work differently in everyone.
Joint Pain
Posted by Ashley (Los Angeles, California Usa) on 01/25/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Regarding MSM, I just wanted to warn people that I have had adverse affects with it. I started taking it for joint pain (2 to 4 thousand milligrams a day) and it seemed like it was healing, until about 30 days in one of my knees started to hurt. I thought I may have just injured it slightly and didn't think anything of it. Then maybe another week and a half in my other knee (that never had any pain prior) and both my shoulders started hurting. MSM was the only thing that I had never done before that I was doing differently. I quit taking it and about a week later all of the pain was gone. I also just injured my right knee and have to question whether or not this actually made my joints worse.
