What Is Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)?

Written by Annie Stuart, Madeline Laguaite
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on August 08, 2025
4 min read

Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is a chemical in animals, humans, and many plants. Some people also take MSM as a supplement for different health conditions.

Researchers can make MSM in a lab. Sometimes, they mix MSM other supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin.

People take MSM to try to treat or manage different health conditions. For example, some people take it to help ease the pain or swelling from:

  • Osteoarthritis 
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinitis
  • Tenosynovitis

People also use MSM on their skin to help with:

They may take it to help with treating gastrointestinal conditions such as:

People also take MSM for other reasons such as: 

  • Obesity 
  • Liver problems
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Gum disease
  • Snoring
  • Infections
  • Lung problems
  • Alzheimer’s disease 
  • HIV
  • Cancer

But the evidence is lacking. We don’t know for sure that taking MSM can help with any of these conditions. 

There’s some evidence that using MSM in with other supplements may help with knee osteoarthritis pain and swelling. Also, early animal research shows some promise for decreasing the wear and tear of your joints.

MSM has shown some success in treating: 

  • Allergies
  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Certain bladder disorders, such as interstitial cystitis
  • Wounds

But we need more research before MSM can be recommended for any of these conditions.

Can MSM help with exercise recovery?

MSM may help with exercise recovery. One small study found that it may help with muscle and joint pain from exercise, but researchers don’t know for sure.

How to take MSM

You can take MSM by mouth. Some forms you can put on your skin, mostly using it to help inflammation.

You can get MSM naturally from certain foods. For example, the following have small amounts of MSM:

  • Corn
  • Tomatoes
  • Swish chard
  • Tea and coffee
  • Beer
  • Milk

But the amounts in these foods are a small fraction of the amount in supplements.

MSM dosage

For osteoporosis, people have tried taking anywhere from 500 milligrams of MSM twice daily to 3 grams once daily. But there may not be ideal doses of MSM for any condition, as researchers are still studying this compound. And quality and active ingredients in supplements can differ from maker to maker. This makes it harder to set a standard dose.

For most people, it’s safe to take up to 4 grams of MSM every day. 

Side effects. There isn’t much about MSM’s side effects. From what we know, MSM doesn’t have many side effects. Some people may have mild side effects such as: 

  • Diarrhea
  • Not being able to poop (constipation)
  • Upset stomach

Risks. Don’t take any chances if you’re pregnant or nursing. Doctors don’t know enough about the safety of MSM in these cases, so it’s best not to take it.

Interactions. There may be a chance of interactions depending on what form of MSM you take. For example, oral MSM forms may interact with:

  • Other herbal or “natural” supplements
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium
  • Medications for blood clots, including warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements like it does food and medicine. Unlike drug manufacturers, supplement makers are responsible for the safety and labeling of their own products. That means the supplements may not be up to the FDA standards. 

Always tell your doctor about any supplements you’re taking. That way, they can check on any potential side effects or interactions with medications, foods, or other herbs and supplements.

Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is a compound in animals, humans, and plants. But you can also find it as a dietary supplement. People use MSM supplements to manage many health conditions, from osteoarthritis to Alzheimer’s and HIV. But there isn’t enough research to know for sure whether it can help any of these conditions. Always tell your doctor before taking a supplement such as MSM.

Here are some commonly asked questions about MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane.

Is MSM good for hair growth?

Researchers saw positive results when they used treatments with MSM on mice for hair growth. But we’d need more studies in humans to know whether MSM may be good for hair growth.

Is MSM harmful to the kidneys?

There’s not a lot of evidence around MSM’s effect on your kidneys. But in one study, researchers found taking MSM for 16 weeks didn’t change how well the kidneys worked.