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MSM for Nerve Pain: What 8 mg Can Tell You
MSM for nerve pain has no solid human proof. Methylsulfonylmethane is studied mainly for joint and muscle pain, at doses up to 4 grams a day. Nervecept has 8 mg per capsule, a tiny fraction of that. NCCIH calls the evidence for MSM in chronic pain insufficient.
Written by the Nervecept label deskUpdated · 4 min read
What is MSM, and does it help nerve pain?
MSM is short for methylsulfonylmethane, a sulfur compound sold as a supplement. It is mainly studied as an anti-inflammatory for joint and muscle pain (Butawan et al., MSM review 2017).
NCCIH says the evidence for MSM in chronic pain is insufficient. It does not list any supplement as effective for peripheral neuropathy (NCCIH, Chronic Pain and Complementary).
So the answer is that nobody knows. We found no human trial of MSM for nerve pain.
How does 8 mg of MSM compare with studied doses?
Eight milligrams is far below the gram doses in the research. A review calls MSM well tolerated at up to 4 grams a day, and 4 grams is 4,000 mg (Butawan et al., MSM review 2017).
Do the math: 4,000 divided by 8 is 500. You would need 500 capsules of this amount to reach the top studied dose.
Two cautions run both ways. A small dose does not prove nothing happens. A gram dose would not prove a nerve benefit, since the work is on joints and muscle.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Well tolerated in studies | Up to 4,000 mg a day |
| Nervecept label | 8 mg a capsule |
| Human nerve trials | None found |
Is MSM safe?
MSM is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), and most people tolerate it with few, mild side effects (Butawan et al., MSM review 2017). The authors still say more research is needed on dose and how long to take it.
Safe in this sense speaks to MSM alone. Nervecept is a mix of eight lines, and the mix has never been tested. Its bigger cautions come from other lines.
What matters more than MSM in this capsule?
Glucosamine matters most, since it makes up 71.5% of the 699 mg of actives. It is made from crayfish, and the label says "CONTAINS: Shellfish (Crayfish)."
Nerve problems have many causes, and treatment targets the cause (NINDS, Peripheral Neuropathy). Tell your care team about any supplement, and keep taking prescribed medicine.
- 1Glucosamine Sulfate500 mg · 71.5% of the actives · Joint compounds
- 2Indian Frankincense (Boswellia serrata)(herb)67 mg · 9.6% of the actives · Plant extracts
- 3Chondroitin Sulfate50 mg · 7.2% of the actives · Joint compounds
- 4Turmeric (Curcuma longa)(root)50 mg · 7.2% of the actives · Plant extracts
- 5Quercetin (Sophora japonica)(bud)8 mg · 1.1% of the actives · Plant extracts
- 6Methionine8 mg · 1.1% of the actives · Amino acid
- 7Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)8 mg · 1.1% of the actives · Sulfur compound
- 8Bromelain (Ananas comosus)(stem)8 mg · 1.1% of the actives · Plant extracts
From the Supplement Facts panel on the label: every line has an exact amount, and no line has a Daily Value. The capsule shell (hypromellose) and rice flour are not counted. The glucosamine is made from shellfish (crayfish).
Never stop a nerve, pain or diabetes medicine because of a supplement.
Read all eight lines on the ingredients page, or the MSM page.
FAQ01
Nervecept questions people ask
Is MSM the same as sulfur?
No. MSM is a compound that contains sulfur, but it is not elemental sulfur. Our sources do not compare the two, so we make no claim about them.
Can MSM help with joint pain?
It is mainly studied for that, but NCCIH rates the chronic pain evidence as insufficient (NCCIH, Chronic Pain and Complementary). Gram doses were used, not 8 mg.
What are the side effects of MSM?
Few and mild at studied doses, according to a safety review (Butawan et al., MSM review 2017). Stop and call a clinician if you feel unwell after starting any supplement.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a Nervecept licensed U.S. outlet, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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