The Mysterious Disappearance of DMSO | Featuring Todd Bailey

May 20, 2026

What would you think if a substance with amazing properties just disappeared virtually overnight? Would it make you a little skeptical? Curious?

What kind of therapy goes from mass attention to almost nothing — complete silence, crickets — overnight?

That's the question Todd Bailey explored in a recent episode of the Herbal Mana Podcast. And the compound he was talking about is DMSO — dimethyl sulfoxide — a naturally derived liquid that's been studied for decades, referenced in over 100,000 research papers, and yet somehow faded from everyday conversation.

This isn't a story about a miracle cure. It's a story about a compound that was misunderstood — and what it can teach us about supporting the body rather than only chasing symptoms.

Listen to Todd walk through it on the Herbal Mana Podcast:

If you'd rather read, or want a breakdown of everything he covers, here are the key takeaways:

What We Cover

What Is DMSO?
Why DMSO Disappeared
What DMSO Has Been Studied For
The Body-as-a-City Analogy
A More Balanced Way to Think About DMSO
Single-Symptom Solutions vs. Systemic Support
What to Do Next
Try Frankincense DMSO Gel
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is DMSO?

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a naturally derived compound traditionally used in topical routines for comfort support. It absorbs quickly through the skin, and is often blended with essential oils, magnesium, and MSM to create a targeted, natural-feeling routine for joint, muscle, and nerve comfort.

That's the short version. The longer version is the one most people have never heard — because DMSO, despite decades of research, somehow faded from everyday conversation.

Today, if you go to PubMed, you'll find over 100,000 references to DMSO. It's still being studied. It's still being discussed. And it's still FDA-approved for certain uses.

So the question isn't whether DMSO works. The question is: what can we learn from how it works?

Why DMSO Disappeared

In the 1960s, DMSO exploded onto the scene. Doctors were using it. Researchers were studying it. Patients were talking about real results. There were thousands of published papers, and demand was growing.

Then it was gone. Not slowly — just gone.

"Usually when something works, it spreads. Everybody should hear about it. So the question becomes: why didn't this one spread?"

That's the question Todd Bailey explored in a recent episode of the Herbal Mana Podcast. And the answer isn't simple. DMSO became controversial. It was misunderstood. And instead of digging deeper, most people moved on.

But the research didn't stop. The compound kept being studied — quietly, steadily — for pain support, inflammation response, circulation, injury recovery, and cellular protection.

And the people who kept paying attention noticed something interesting.

What DMSO Has Been Studied For

DMSO isn't a single-purpose compound. Researchers have studied it for:

Pain support
Inflammation response
Circulation
Injury recovery
Cellular protection

And one thing they noticed is that DMSO didn't just target one system. It supported multiple systems at once.

That's a different approach than most modern solutions — which are usually designed to do one thing, to address a single symptom. And it's part of why so many people feel like they're chasing their tail — trying solution after solution, each one targeting a different piece of the puzzle, without ever addressing the whole picture.

The Body-as-a-City Analogy

Think of your body like a city. When traffic is flowing, everything works. People get where they need to go. Businesses run. Life happens.

But when traffic gets backed up, you don't just have one problem. You have delays, stress, breakdowns, and eventually things start to fail.

That's what chronic discomfort often feels like. It's not just one thing — it's everything getting stuck.

"Your body doesn't just need relief from a symptom. Your body needs support. It needs circulation, recovery, balance, homeostasis. It needs everything working."

Whether you use DMSO or not, the real takeaway is this: supporting the body systemically — not just chasing one symptom — may be the missing piece.

A More Balanced Way to Think About DMSO

Here's the truth: DMSO is well-studied, widely discussed, and historically used in all sorts of applications. It's also misunderstood. And that misunderstanding has led to controversy and, often, dismissal.

We're not here to call DMSO a magic fix. We're here to offer a smarter, more balanced approach.

If you've tried everything and you're still dealing with joint pain, muscle pain, nerve pain, or chronic inflammation, it might not be because nothing works. It might just be that you haven't been supporting the right systems.

That's one of the reasons we created our Frankincense DMSO Gel — not as a magic fix, but as a way to support targeted comfort, circulation, and everyday recovery in a way that fits real life.

Single-Symptom Solutions vs. Systemic Support — What to Keep in Mind

Consideration	Single-Symptom Solutions	Systemic Support (e.g. DMSO + Essential Oils)
How it works	Targets one symptom or pathway	Supports multiple systems at once
Common trade-offs	May mask symptoms without addressing root causes; cumulative side effects with chronic use	Skin sensitivity for some; patch test recommended
How quickly it absorbs	Varies by delivery method (oral, topical, etc.)	Transdermally, in minutes
What it pairs well with	Often layered with other single-target solutions	Pairs with frankincense, magnesium, MSM, rest, hydration
Best for	Acute, short-term support under medical guidance	Ongoing comfort support in a daily natural routine

This isn't a "throw out your medicine cabinet" message. It's an "expand what's in it" message. A systemic approach isn't a replacement for medical care — it's a quieter, gentler addition to it.

What to Do Next

If you're curious about DMSO, here's what we'd encourage:

Keep learning. PubMed has over 100,000 references. Do some digging.
Stay critical. Some DMSO research uses it as a carrier for other substances. Look for studies that show actual efficacy.
Stay open. A balanced perspective is more useful than hype or dismissal.

If you want to try something that supports your body in a practical way, our Frankincense DMSO Gel is designed for targeted comfort and everyday recovery — without the harsh ingredients you might find in conventional options.

You are allowed to care for your body gently. You are allowed to try something different. And you are allowed to keep looking for what actually works.

Try Frankincense DMSO Gel

Frankincense DMSO Gel with Hyaluronic Acid is built for the pain warrior who wants:

A natural-feeling, daily topical routine
Comfort support that goes where you ask it to
Something gentle enough to use morning, midday, and before bed

You are allowed to care for your body gently. You don't have to push through, push down, or push past.

Ready to try a routine that supports your whole body?

Try Frankincense DMSO Gel →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DMSO and why is it used for natural pain relief?

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a naturally derived compound that absorbs quickly through the skin. It's traditionally used in topical routines for comfort support — especially for joint, muscle, and nerve discomfort — and is often blended with essential oils and hyaluronic acid for a layered, natural-feeling routine.

Is DMSO safe for daily use?

For most adults, DMSO is well tolerated in topical routines when used as directed. As with any new topical, a patch test on a small area of skin is recommended. Anyone managing a chronic condition or taking prescription medication should check with a qualified healthcare provider before starting.

Why did DMSO disappear from mainstream use?

DMSO exploded in popularity in the 1960s, then quickly faded from mainstream conversation. The reasons are complex — controversy, misunderstanding, and regulatory shifts all played a role. But the research continued, and DMSO is still being studied today.

Can I use a DMSO gel alongside my current pain relief routine?

Many people layer a topical DMSO routine alongside what they already do. Because it's applied directly to the area and doesn't travel through the digestive system, it offers a different kind of support than oral NSAIDs. Talk with your healthcare provider about adding any new product to an existing routine.

What's the difference between Frankincense DMSO Gel and the DMSO creams?

Frankincense DMSO Gel is a lightweight gel with hyaluronic acid, designed for targeted comfort and everyday recovery. The DMSO creams — Alpha Warrior, Royal Warrior, and Inner Warrior — are richer blends built on the same DMSO foundation, each tuned to a different kind of discomfort.

About Todd Bailey

Todd Bailey is a founder and owner of Herbal Mana, and host of the Herbal Mana podcast, where he shares practical education for people who want to hurt less and live more. Todd is not a medical doctor, and Herbal Mana content is for educational purposes only.

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