Evidence supporting the use of: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
For the health condition: Pain (general remedies for)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is most commonly used as a dietary supplement for its potential to alleviate pain, particularly in cases of osteoarthritis and other joint-related conditions. Scientific evidence supporting MSM’s pain-relieving effects is moderate but not robust. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated MSM’s efficacy, with some studies reporting modest reductions in pain and improvements in physical function among individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee. These effects are thought to be related to MSM’s anti-inflammatory properties, as it may reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in the body.

One notable study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2006) demonstrated that participants taking MSM (3g twice daily) for 12 weeks experienced statistically significant, but clinically modest, improvements in pain and physical function compared to placebo. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis found that MSM may provide a small improvement in pain scores for osteoarthritis sufferers, but emphasized the limited number of high-quality studies and the need for further research.

While MSM is generally considered safe with few reported side effects, the current body of evidence does not conclusively establish its efficacy for general pain relief. Most research focuses specifically on joint-related pain rather than general pain conditions. Therefore, MSM’s use is supported by some scientific validation, but the strength of the evidence remains limited (rated 2/5).

More about Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
More about Pain (general remedies for)

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alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
Waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
Myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
cabbage leaf
California poppy
camu camu
cassia bark
celery
chen pi
cherry
Chinese salvia root
chymotrypsin
Cissus quadrangularis
collagen
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
dog rose
ethanol
fennel
fenugreek
flaxseed
fruit blend (proprietary)
gelatin
ginger
gooseberry
gotu kola
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
jujube
kudzu
L-phenylalanine
lovage
magnesium
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
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Nettle
spruce
okra
orange
Peppermint
perilla
polygala root
protease
pumpkin
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
rutin
saffron
sage
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
strawberry
vitamin D
Watercress
Mulberry
white willow
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sarsaparilla
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boneset
catnip
typhonium
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
alpinia galangal
Clerodendrum indicum
Hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
smilax
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Swertia
chaff flower
Szechuan lovage
goldenrod
Yarrow
prickly ash
Morus
root tuber
silk tree
haliotis
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solomon's seal
amber
flowering quince
cistanche
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lotus seed
birch
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anemarrhena asphodeloides
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camphor oil
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fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
peach
noni
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biota seed
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Abies spectabilis
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arnica
star of Bethlehem
clematis
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Aralia
arjuna
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Alseodaphne andersonii
angel\'s trumpet
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Angostura
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Actaea spicata
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Acer truncatum
arjunic acid
Allyl isothiocyanate
aspen
Ashoka
argan nut oil
asarabacca
Abuta
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Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
atractylone
betony
Baikal Skullcap
blue flag
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Black spruce
blackthorn
bleeding heart
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bergenin
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breadnut
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bistort
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
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Brazilian peppertree
bugbane
bisabolene
benfotiamine
bael
butternut
bindweed
bogbean
black gram
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bethroot
banyan
Black willow
ba ji tian
barbasco
barbary matrimony vine
Borassus aethiopum
borage
black root
baobab
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burning bush
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bee venom
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cumin
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capers
celandine
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Cetylated Fatty Acids
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culvers Root
currant
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Cannabidiolic acid
Dimorphandra mollis
D-phenylalanine
Didymocarpus
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Hypericum
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joe-pye
judastree
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Kalanchoe pinnatum
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loquat
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Pellitory
Phthalides
Piper retrofractum
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Pareira
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Plumbago zeylanica
Pimpinella
Persimmon
paeoniflorin
Pasuchaca
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Pea
Pycnogenol
Palo Azul
Plectranthus amboinicus
Plukenetia volubilis
Potentilla
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Speedwell
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Scoparia dulcis
Soft rush
Sumbul
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Salicin
Snakeroot
Sanguisorba
Scimitar bean
Southernwood
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Salmon Oil
Safed musli
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Slippery Elm
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Skunkvine
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Sweet Clover
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Sweet Orange alcohol
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Traveler's Joy
Taxillus chinensis
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Turtle Head
Tasmannia lanceolata
Toadflax
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Trailing Arbutus
Tetrahydropalmatine
Vetiver
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Veronica
Vanilla
Willow
Weak Jumby Pepper
Walnut
Willow Bracket
Yuzu
Yerba Mansa
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yellow Nut Sedge
Yellow Dock
Zapilopatle Bean
Zingibain