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

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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.

Replied by Steve
(Spring Branch , Tx)
03/06/2010

The warning you posted wasn't because of the MSM you were taking, The warning was for the steroids that you were ingesting. These drugs have been proven to be very dangerous. MSM is not a drug, it's a element.

Replied by Peggy64
(Montgomery, Al)
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?

Replied by Tom
(Regina, Sk)
11/26/2010

MSM is a natural substance (as is cortisol), found even in the oceans. It could be that your symptoms were simply caused by one of the healing aspects of MSM which very few other nutrients can replicate:

It increases, dose dependent and therefore also depends on body weight, the cellular membrane porosity , thus rate and amount of nutrient, metabolic waste and signaling molecules across the cell's membrane. This holds for all or nearly all tissue and organ cells. So perhaps you actually suffered a slight reaction to a too-fast re-balancing from too many toxins on the move at the same time?

This is why with MSM one should start with a small dose for the first week, then increase over many more weeks in increments to the maximum suggested dose based on body weight.


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.


Panic Attacks

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Posted by Diana (Florida) on 07/12/2018

It helped with my pain but I was having panic attacks and an uneasy feeling. I eat only plants and am healthy but this was not for me. Sad about this


Progesterone

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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?

Replied by Sdm
(Northern New Jersey)
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.

Replied by Katherine
(Dayton Ohio)
09/17/2023

I'm currently taking.progesterone therapy. I took msm and had side effects the second time I took it, headache, fatigued, bloating and nervesness. Started having night sweats...as if I never took the progesterone. It definitely affected my hormones. It also killed all my pain.


Rash

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(4) 
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Posted by Dimitra65 (Sydney, Australia) on 05/11/2023

MSM for back pain and hair thinning.

I started taking MSM organic powder in a glass of water every morning. I started taking a quarter of teaspoon for four days then started taking half a teaspoon for another four days and I reached taking one teaspoon around about the fourth week. I had much more energy, the extreme pain in my lower back had gone by 90% and my hair started to have some volume at the roots. I was over the moon. I thought that I would never stop taking it.

Then on the fourth week I got this horrible rash all over my body. Little welts that itched so much I just wanted to rip my skin off. There was nothing else in my diet that could have caused this except for the MSM. I stopped it and after about four days the rash stopped itching and the rash went away after a week. I am so disappointed. Now I contemplating about the fact that it is not supposed to be toxic and if it was the amount I was taking or is truly an allergic reactions or that my body was detoxing all the heavy metals and other crap from my body.

I am asking the community if anyone can give me answers and if there is some way to mitigate the rash? I would be truly grateful for some answers because I can't get a straight answer from my doctor or anyone else for that matter.

Replied by Art
(California)
05/12/2023
2340 posts

Dimitra65,

A rash is one of the many known side effect of MSM consumption as discussed here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/msm-side-effects.html

And here :

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/dimethyl-sulfoxide-dmso-and-methylsulfonylmethane-msm-for-osteoarthritis#:~:text=Side effects of MSM include, consult your health care provider.

If you were taking MSM for arthritis, you might consider borax as an alternative.

Art

Replied by Dimitra
(Sydney Australia)
05/17/2023

Art,

Thank you so much for your reply. I do not have arthritis. The back pain is associated with a motorbike accident.

Art
(California)
05/18/2023
2340 posts

You are quite welcome, Dimitra!

Do you have a diagnosis for your condition that was caused by the motorbike accident? If so, you should post it as you are likely to get many suggestions that may help.

On a related note and not knowing what your diagnosis is Boswellia Serrata Extract may help as it is an anti inflammatory and is generally well tolerated. There are several forms of it, but you would definitely want an extract form. Here is a link to a typical product :

https://www.amazon.com/Boswellia-Serrata-Capsules-Boswellic-Supplements/dp/B09H8MR1ZM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=JAEVX2OJ1TRW&keywords=boswellia+serrata+extract+capsules&qid=1684426304&sprefix=boswellia+,aps,149&sr=8-5

Another consideration is topically applied mag oil spray. Here is a typical product:

Mag OIL

Art

Dimitra65
(Sydney Australia)
06/13/2023

Dear Art,

thank you once again for your tips and further references. As I have had several MRIS and they have shown that the lower part of my spine healed after the accident at a very acute v shaped angle so the vertebrae will always get in the way of the nerves and cause excruciating pain. I have been doing yoga for at least 23 years now and that keeps me walking and supple but as I mentioned that doesn't help so much with the pain. I have asked neurosurgeons if I should get an operation done and they all said that with my situation surgery would not help and it actually could cause more suffering. I rarely take any pain killers because I wouldn't have any kidneys or liver left with the years that I have this problem. Hence my delight when I started the MSM. I will start taking a lower dose and Molybdenum as see how I go. I will keep you posted. Wish me luck. Oh and by the way, thank you for the Magnesium oil tip. It has helped me somewhat with my neck pain and my migraines. Kindest regards to you Art.

Art
(California)
06/14/2023
2340 posts

Dimitra65, I would suggest a topical pain reliever that is available here in the US, but I'm sure it is not going to be available down under. One thing you can try since you already have the MSM and it worked well for your purpose is to use the MSM topically. Take one level full teaspoon of the MSM and add it to 2 ounces of water and stir until dissolved. Choose a sensitive spot on your inner forearm about a half inch in diameter. Using a q-tip to apply a small amount of the liquid to that small circular spot on your inner forearm. Apply to this same spot 3 times per day for 3 days, all the while watching for signs of a rash or other allergic reaction. If no reaction after the three days is complete, then you can try applying the liquid to your lower spine where you have the pain. Again, pay close attention to watch for signs of a rash or other allergic reaction. If no bad reactions after 3 days and assuming it does offer you pain relief, you can then do this same 3 day experiment on your painful neck. MSM in this liquid form can also be used simultaneously with the mag oil. A tip about mag oil, after applying the first time in the day and after the pain relieving effect has stopped, reapply just water over your original application area as this will reactivate the remaining magnesium chloride on the skin and should offer pain relief similar to the original application. Using water for the second application of the day will use less mag oil and reduce the potential for skin irritation to the mag oil. By the way, does ibuprofen or aspirin offer you any pain relief at all? Keep me posted. Art

Dimitra65
(Sydney, Australia)
07/28/2023

Art,

I have been drinking 1/4 of a teaspoon of MSM powder in a glass of water every day for the last 3 weeks plus 2 drops of molybdenum every night and have had no side effects at all. I have had great results with the pain in my lower back subsiding by 90%. I do hope this is it. I feel almost like my old self again. the magnesium oil is doing a great job too. Thank you for all your advice Art. God bless you.

Regards,

Dimitra65

Art
(California)
07/28/2023
2340 posts

Dimitra65,

I am glad that the MSM and mag oil are working very well for you and thank you for the update! A 90% decrease in your back pain is awesome!

Art


Rash
Posted by Louise (Nc) on 09/14/2017

I've also had an extreme skin reaction (itchy rash that looked like psoriasis on lower arms and legs) when taking MSM. And yes, MSM seemed to be the culprit, since I was taking nothing else new; and when I stopped it, the itching stopped immediately and the rash gradually faded. Would like to hear from others who experienced a similar reaction? It's wonderful to read about the advantages of supplements, but it would also help if we take the time to report setbacks as well. Thanks!

Replied by Grace
(Ca)
06/14/2022

My sister rages about MSM, so I started taking it! Maybe after 2 weeks, I started itching. It seems like everywhere, even my ears! Now I am trying over the counter remedies but nothing helps!! I will stop it and see what happens!

Art
(California)
06/14/2022
2340 posts

Grace,

Some people can not tolerate MSM for various reasons and it appears that you fall in that category. As good as MSM is for some people, it can have substantial negative effects for others. EC has created a page on MSM side effects because there are so many reports of it. I am not reactive to MSM but many people are :

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/msm-side-effects.html

Art


Rash
Posted by Bschuttp (Livermore, Ca) on 06/19/2012
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have been taking MSM for over a year now and had some symptoms of rash(not as bad as what you describe) and hardening of my lymph glands and ducts when I started taking it. It is a side effect of MSM but is probably due to your system releasing toxins. I lowered dosage and continued taking until symptoms went away and then began increasing dosage. I currently take 24 grams/day split between morning and afternoon(215 lb bodyweight). It has worked well for my asthma, joint swelling, and pain. I was worried I would need another knee surgery but don't think it will be necessary for the time being. Make sure you are buying very pure crystals so you don't have other fillers that could cause problems.


Rash
Posted by Jean (Atlanta, Ga) on 06/09/2012

Ann, Can you or anyone else offer a little more reassurance about the side effects of MSM? I started using it in the powdered form about a week ago. The label suggested 1/2 tsp. In 8 oz. of water. After about 2 days I noticed a mild rash on my arms and stomach. By day 4 the mild rash became severe and also spread to my thighs and backs.

It's late spring and I first suspected flea bites, but our pets have been treated and my husband had none of these little red marks. After racking my brains I realized the only new thing I'd introduced into my diet or environment was the MSM. On day 5, I stopped the MSM and the marks on my back largely went away. Those on my thighs and stomach persisted; perhaps they shrank slightly.

To test MSM as the culprit, on day 6 I took the merest pinch of it -- an 1/8 of a tsp, if that. Within an hour, the rash on my legs and stomach intensified. It spread to my chest area for the first time. Additionally, on two spots of my stomach, the redness resembled hives more than a rash. Whether as rash or hives, btw, it itches!

I'm 49 years old, was diagnosed as hyperthyroid three years ago, and have been slowly healing myself through diet and vitamins, acupuncture and meditation. I've been off the methimazole for months and returned to my customary weight (about 10 lbs over the normal range) about a year ago. I'm perimenopausal, so my hormone levels are undoubtedly fluctuating, and what bugs me the most, health-wise, is my on-going fatigue and hand/wrist numbness (I call it carpal tunnel, which is commonly associated with thyroid problems, but I've never seen a neurologist to have it formally diagnosed. You know--money issues.)

In short, I'd love to reap the benefits that MSM seems to promise most people here on Earth Clinic, but the intensity of the rash has me worried. I've never had a skin condition before, so to be wearing a rash for a week, so to speak, is a little creepy. Others have talked about cutting back on the dosage, but to cut back on the miniscule amount of a pinch is to eliminate it entirely.

I bought what seems to be a good quality form of the powder. The brand label asserts no wheat, dairy, gluten, sugar, yeast, etc. , I. E. , it claims to be hypoallergenic and suitable for vegetarians. I bought it from a reputable grocery chain.

So...suggestions, reassurances, tales of similar experiences from braver pioneers than me, anyone?

Thanks in advance for any help provided!

Replied by Miserable_in_bama
(Oneonta, Alabama, United States)
06/09/2012

I take it 2x a day and never experienced any problems. Sounds like you are allergic to it. If you want to try it again, buy another brand, and maybe lower your dosage. It's one of those things our bodies need but can't store, just like vitamin C, so doubtful you are allergic, you get it from a lot of foods you eat. It's a real basic form of sulphur that comes from the ocean if I remember right.

Replied by Cee
(Wa)
06/27/2017

Rashes are a common detox symptom. I have read that MSM can initially cause detox reactions as the body purifies. In my own case, I had a headache at first, but it went away with continued use.


Rash
Posted by Wayne (Ladner, BC Canada) on 03/13/2009
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

MSM is incredible... it cleared up my asthma...fixed my shoulder...helps my wifes allergies..she doesn't have to take antihystamines..... BUT ...... i started developing a red rash on my face...... red blotchy and itchy as the dickens...i stopped taking it for a week and then...the rash went away...i needed a fix on sunday as i had a heavy day so i took some more and this is thursday and i still have the rash worse then before it went away.......

i was taking two or three teaspoons a day...

I have not given up hope on it..i want to stop for maybe a month and then start gradually on it again....it does cause insomnia if you take it in the evening..it gives you great energy..i believe because you are getting a full lung full of oxygen because it clears out the bronchial passages........but that is only my theory as i suffer from asthma and this stuff really helps you breathe clearer...if feels like you are getting your money's worth for each breath you take...

i am interested in that term..i forget what they called it..but the idea of the msm flushing out the toxins..........i have been doing some reading on that and was contemplating doing the Hydrogen peroxide cleanse... and retry the msm..

i am a believer in the benefits of msm...but just to get rid of the side effects that people have.........
great page......keep the faith

Replied by Jennifer
(HI)
05/07/2022

You said you were taking 2-3 teaspoons? Thats probably too much unless your Dr./Naturopath recommended that much. I thought a normal dose was 1/4- 1/2 a teaspoon, once or 2x a day. 3 teaspoons = a Tablespoon, enough for 12 or more people. Many things that are good for us in small doses are not good in high doses.


Rash, Pain

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Posted by Burt (Elyria, Ohio) on 10/18/2020

MSM:

Sometimes I feel that it aggravates my skin and increases aches all over I my body....


Sore Gums

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Posted by Emily (San Francisco, CA) on 02/14/2015
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Are sore gums a side effect of MSM detox? I have been noticing that my gums are sore since starting MSM.

Replied by Mk
(Usa)
05/19/2018

Sore gums is due to vitamin C deficiency.. you may have already had a slight deficiency and the MSM made it worse. As you detox, you are also losing nutrients. I would stop taking the MSM, get an organic whole food form of Vitamin C, not ascorbic acid, and start on it for about a month before taking msm again. I would take no less than 2,000 mg daily and break it up as much as possible.


Taste and Smell Affected

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Posted by JBC (Grand Rapids, MI) on 07/16/2022

I recently began taking MSM after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. After taking the supplement for a few days I began to notice that foods like bacon, ham and all colors of peppers had a foul taste and smell- rotten food taste. I keep reading how beneficial it is so I am trying a different brand. Are those symptoms common?


Tips for Anxiety from MSM

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Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 11/26/2010
★★★★★

Any 'anxiety' reaction to the MSM is not seen in the majority, and even when it is it is likely simply the reaction to the body having too many waste products moving around at the same time due to MSM's nearly unique property of opening up cell membrane porosity for better efficiency moving things in and out across that membrane. This is for ALL organs and tissues, so in fact one minor problem but one to note well is that in addition to this temporary condition, there may well be a reaction ALSO caused by taking RX meds at the same time as being on a MSM regimen, because the increased porosity will cause the RX drug dose to be in effect multiplied, maybe 25%, 50%, or even double or triple! And what is one symptom of too high a dose of anti-depressant/anxiety medication? Why, it's ANXIETY! (Just do a Search. )

Also, remember it takes days at least even once stopped taking any RX drug for it to be really well cleared out by the liver and kidneys. So even if one goes off the drug in order to take MSM, it is best to wait several days at least before starting MSM. (one can lessen this down to non-existent by simply slowly increasing the daily MSM dosage, a week at a time, starting at the lowest dose for body weight and then after a month or two getting up to the highest). BTW, the antidepressant RX drugs have what must be the highest placebo effect of any drug class, at least for 'depression'(placebo effect for this drug class on other prescribed conditions like OCD, anxiety, etc. not given):www.newsweek.com/2010/01/28/the-depressing-news-about-antidepressants.html

It seems I am not alone in having moral qualms about blowing the whistle on antidepressants. That first analysis, in 1998, examined 38 manufacturer-sponsored studies involving just over 3,000 depressed patients. The authors, psychology researchers Irving Kirsch and Guy Sapirstein of the University of Connecticut, saw as everyone else had that patients did improve, often substantially, on SSRIs, tricyclics, and even MAO inhibitors, a class of antidepressants that dates from the 1950s. This improvement, demonstrated in scores of clinical trials, is the basis for the ubiquitous claim that antidepressants work. But when Kirsch compared the improvement in patients taking the drugs with the improvement in those taking dummy pills clinical trials typically compare an experimental drug with a placebo he saw that the difference was minuscule. Patients on a placebo improved about 75 percent as much as those on drugs. Put another way, three quarters of the benefit from antidepressants seems to be a placebo effect. Remember this is NEWSWEEK talking, THE Establishment mass news outlet, so for them to put it out there means it's already long obvious to most.

Did you read over the ANXIETY section?:
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/anxiety.html

If anything, there's too many things there you can try! So pick one that's cheap, easily available, and has some YAYS behind it.


Urinary Retention

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Posted by Kathryn (Ephrata) on 06/05/2022

I tried the supplement Osteobiflex with MSM by the recommendation of my primary care physician. It was horrible. I couldn't pee and going online I discovered it can cause urinary retention. I almost ended up in the ER. Any suggestions of what I can take that will help my back pain caused by osteoarthritis?

Replied by Art
(California)
06/05/2022
2340 posts

Kathryn,

Have you considered borax?

Here is a link to how to use it for arthritis:

https://www.earthclinic.com/borax-remedy-for-arthritis.html

It has worked very well for me for well over a decade to keep my arthritis in remission.

Art


Urine Retention

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Posted by William (Colorado) on 07/27/2013

Seeking information and assistance on the following:

I started on MSM several months ago hoping to alleviate a trigger finger and thumb condition. I took it in the morning along with fruit and high quality Kefir that I make myself.

After some two months the trigger problem finger diminished, however one day after an increased dose of the msm I developed an inability to urinate. I stopped the MSM and Kefir and the dysuria condition abated. When I resumed the MSM and Kefir it came back. I've done this three times so I believe I have established the connection.

Now that I've been off the MSM a few weeks the trigger finger has shown up again. Please share your thoughts with me. William

Replied by Joy
(Battleground, Wash)
09/13/2013

One time I couldn't go and had to drive to town to get some cranberry juice.... One cup and my urine was back to normal. Now I keep cranberry tabs and extra bottles of juice in the pantry, save an expensive trip to town during the night.... Love, Joy



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