If something online promises to cure everything, it’s probably too good to be true. One of the most dangerous examples? Chlorine dioxide is often marketed under names like “Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS)” or “aerobic oxygen,” buzzwords that hint at health and vitality.
But in reality, these products can make you violently ill within hours—and in some cases, they can be fatal.
Despite what the name suggests, MMS is not just bleach. Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, whereas MMS contains sodium chlorite—a different but equally toxic chemical.
When ingested, sodium chlorite can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition where red blood cells lose their ability to carry oxygen. It can also trigger hemolysis (the rupture of red blood cells), followed by kidney failure and death.
When sodium chlorite mixes with acid (such as stomach acid), it converts into chlorine dioxide, a bleaching agent. This compound has strong antimicrobial properties: it can kill bacteria, fungi and even viruses like SARS-CoV-2. For that reason, it’s commonly used in sanitizing dental equipment and hospital tools like endoscopes. Its effectiveness at killing over 400 bacterial species makes it useful in cleaning—but not in humans.
While the mouth and esophagus are lined with multiple cell layers, offering some protection, the stomach and intestines are far more vulnerable. These organs have a single-cell lining to absorb nutrients efficiently—but this also means they’re highly sensitive to damage.
That’s why ingesting chlorine dioxide often leads to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, the chemical can burn through the gut lining, leading to bowel perforation—a medical emergency with a high risk of death.
Using MMS as an enema is equally dangerous. Chlorine dioxide can trigger an overproduction of reactive oxygen species—unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to chronic gut conditions. This cellular stress could be the reason behind both the immediate symptoms and the long-term injuries observed in reported cases.
