Dmso (Topical) for Pain Relief

Research suggests that DMSO has been explored as a topical agent for pain relief, though the available evidence directly evaluating DMSO alone for this purpose is limited and largely indirect. The studies reviewed here predominantly examine other topical pain therapies — including NSAIDs like diclofenac and ketoprofen, capsaicin, and lidocaine — with DMSO appearing mainly as a carrier or secondary ingredient rather than a primary subject of investigation. One study from 2025 offers perhaps the most direct supporting evidence, reporting that combinations of DMSO with other compounds such as diethyl azelate and terpenes produced synergistic analgesic effects in laboratory and skin sensitivity testing, suggesting potential as a component of multi-ingredient topical formulations, though this work remains early-stage and has not been tested in large clinical trials. Overall, while the broader literature on topical pain therapies shows meaningful benefits for conditions like osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain, the specific contribution of DMSO to pain relief remains inadequately characterized by the current body of evidence, and readers should weigh that gap when interpreting the available findings.