Bengay, spelled Ben-Gay before 1995, is a topical analgesic heat rub for temporary relief from muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis, bruises, simple backaches, overuse, sprains and strains.

However, evidence indicates that it activates the neuron receptor TRPM8, which appears to keep minor pain signals in the brain from communicating with the spine.

[3] Bengay and similar products, such as Flexall, Mentholatum, Capzasin and Icy Hot, variously contain menthol, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), and capsaicin as active ingredients and have a potential to cause first-to-third-degree chemical burns.

[4] Methyl salicylate can also be toxic when excessively large doses, many multiples of the recommended amount, are administered;[6][7] however it's an extreme rarity.

[7] In October 2007 in the United States, a teenage athlete overdosed and died from overexposure to methyl salicylate,[6][7] having "more than six times the safe amount of the ingredient in her body.