DMSO

You can pick up an 8 ounce bottle for about 8 bucks most anywhere. (Google it. I am not selling this stuff - and I'm not advising you to do the stupid things to your body that I do to mine.)

For joint issues (tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis etc ...) users of the substance simply "paint" a very light coat of of 70% DMSO solution on the offending joint. Within minutes you are expected to feel a very measurable relief of even the most intense pain. My experience has been precisely that.

Because the in vivo byproducts of the substance are water and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM - a dietary supplement commonly used for joint pain), it is also reported to greatly speed the healing process as well.

If you research it, you'll find people claiming it cures everything from AIDS to Downs Syndrome (rolls eyes). I'm a guy with a very open mind, but I have a very hard time believing those claims. I only know that it has taken me personally out of considerable pain.

Now, aside from its disfavor with with FDA, there are a great many other reasons to treat this substance with tremendous respect.

First, as I mentioned before, I don't know of any studies performed on the long term side effects.

Next, there is another very special property of DMSO that makes it extremely useful - and potentially extremely dangerous. Not only does it instantly penetrate the skin and go deep into the body tissue, it also acts as a solvent that can bring other substances (depending on their molecular weight) into your body along with it.

If you let your imagination run wild, you might be able to imagine several various ways to exploit this property - for better or for worse.

Rumor has it, for example, that some of the more militant hippies in the 1960's used to mix DMSO with LSD and rub it on the door handles of police cars. I've also heard that if you put on clothes right after applying DMSO you can give yourself a pretty deep tattoo that won't go away until you shed those layers of skin.

Serious business.

So, when I personally use it, I take great care to make sure that my skin is quite clean. I also wait about 20 minutes after application, shower again, and only then go on about my crazy business.

Now, what I've told you is nowhere near an exhaustive treatment of this topic. If you're contemplating experimenting with this substance, use your head. And don't blame me if you end up with your favorite textile brand permanently tattooed on your body - or worse.