Quick Facts:
· It is a clear, slightly oily liquid
· Smells oyster or garlic-like due to its sulfur content
· Penetrates the skin barrier within seconds
· Takes other molecules along for the ride
What makes DMSO truly remarkable is not just its wide range of therapeutic effects, but the way it achieves them. Unlike many substances that require complex delivery systems to reach their target, DMSO bypasses all the usual barriers. It effortlessly slips through the skin, almost as if it has VIP access to your body’s cells.
This unique ability to directly penetrate the skin and underlying tissue delivers its healing properties with incredible speed and efficiency. There is no need for extra help—it is a Master of direct delivery, moving quickly and powerfully to where it is needed most. This seamless absorption makes DMSO stand out, offering fast-acting relief and treatment that few substances can match.
2. A Love Story: Humans & DMSO Through the Ages
1866: Russian Roots.
“Russian Father of DMSO” – Chemist
Dr. Alexander Zaytsev, PhD, M. Chem.
Dimethyl sulfoxide was first synthesized in 1866 in a Russian lab by bearded chemist Russian Father of DMSO Dr. Alexander Zaytsev, PhD, M. Chem., who accidentally discovered DMSO while exploring sulfur chemistry. He did not realize he had stumbled upon a healing agent—he was more focused on naming reactions.
DMSO’s industrial applications began in the mid-20th century, particularly as a by-product of wood pulp processing. The compound gained prominence in the 1960s when Dr. Stanley Jacob discovered its ability to penetrate the skin and deliver other substances transdermally. WikipediaPMC
1960s: 100 years later - The Lab Rat Era.
“American Father of DMSO” - Dr. Stanley Jacob
For a while, DMSO was just a cleaner and a solvent. It could dissolve almost anything, but no one thought to apply it to a living thing—until they did. A few curious scientists noticed that lab animals treated with DMSO recovered faster from injuries.
In 1961, Dr. Stanley Jacob Changes Everything. At Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Stanley Jacob began experimenting with DMSO as an organ preservative.
That’s when he noticed something odd: it did not just preserve tissue—it seemed to heal it.
He rubbed it on his skin, which produced a light oyster or garlic-like taste within minutes. That’s how fast DMSO enters the bloodstream. It became his life’s mission.
Its effects are almost immediate—once applied, it rapidly absorbs into the skin, allowing its properties to start working.