This post discusses non-native EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) and how they affect MCAS. I also share how to remediate spaces from non-native EMFs so you can feel safe in your home when you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
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Table of Contents
Who is Betsy Leighton?
I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.
I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis. MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, as well as avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.
My Story with EMFs and MCAS
I first developed migraines, tinnitus, and nystagmus when I visited my parents’ lake cabin, which had a wifi router. Over the week-long stay, I got dizzier and dizzier and could barely function. As soon as I left the place, my symptoms disappeared. But the next month, my next-door neighbor installed a Wi-Fi router, and soon Comcast routers were installed on electrical poles all over my neighborhood. My migraines and dizziness returned, and I felt helpless.
With the help of my functional practitioner, I was connected with Damon Coyne, a Building Biologist with Intentional Environment, who helped us to evaluate and remediate the EMFs in our home. Once I lined my curtains with EMF shielding fabric, most of my symptoms vanished. With some further tweaking, I began sleeping better and making progress on my healing journey.
What are non-native EMFs?
Non-native electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as Radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. EMFs are typically grouped into one of two categories by their frequency:
- Non-ionizing: low-level radiation, which is generally perceived as harmless to humans
- Ionizing: high-level radiation that has the potential for cellular and DNA damage
How symptoms of EMFs mimic MCAS symptoms
EMFs can cause unpleasant symptoms in anyone, but if you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance, they can be a trigger for a symptom flare or contribute to it. Here are some common symptoms of EMF exposure that can worsen MCAS. In addition, some of the symptoms that you experience from exposure to EMFs are identical to MCAS symptoms.
- headaches
- fatigue
- insomnia
- muscle aches
heart palpitations - eye irritation
concentration issues - irritability
- dizziness
depression - anxiety
- nausea
- burning, tingling, or pain when touching a device
- brain fog
- hormone imbalances
- urinary issues
- gut disruptions
- hair loss
- certain cancers
The bucket theory
The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.
Know your typical symptom progression
Understanding your symptom progression during a flare is key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize symptom progression so you can be prepared to address them.
Get my free ebook, symptom log, and meal plan!
Want a tool to easily track your symptoms?
Types of EMFs
AC ELECTRIC FIELDS – Sources: AC voltage in electrical installations, cables, appliances, outlets, walls, floors, beds, high-tension, and other power lines
AC MAGNETIC FIELDS – Sources: AC current in electrical installations, cables, appliances, transformers, motors, overhead and ground cables, power lines, railways
RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION – Sources: cell phone technology, RF transmitters, broadcast, trunked radio systems, line-of-sight systems, radar, military, cordless phones
DC ELECTRIC FIELDS – Sources: synthetic carpeting, drapes, and textiles, vinyl wallpaper, varnishes, laminates, stuffed toy animals, TV or computer screens
DC MAGNETIC FIELDS – Sources: steel components in beds, mattresses, furniture, appliances, and building materials; DC current in street cars, photovoltaic systems
RADIOACTIVITY – Sources: building materials, stones, tiles, slags, waste products, devices, antiques, ventilation, terrestrial radiation, location, environment
GEOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES – Sources: currents and radioactivity in the earth; local disturbances caused by faults, fractures, underground water courses
SOUND & VIBRATION
How to Test Your Living Spaces for EMFs
I recommend connecting with a Building Biologist, such as Damon Coyne at Intentional Environment. A Building Biologist can measure the EMFs in your home and work spaces to determine the levels of exposure you typically experience in a day.
How to Remediate EMFs in Your Home
Some simple changes to your home can make a profound difference, such as getting rid of your wifi router and smart meters in favor of wired connections. You can shield windows from external EMF sources, like your neighbors’ Wi-Fi routers, with curtains like these. You can wear shielded clothing, like this hoodie, when you are unable to control your exposure to EMFs.
Other remediation tactics may be more involved, such as painting your bedroom with shielding paint, grounding, shielding within the walls and under the flooring, and window film. Work with a building biologist to determine the specific needs of your space.
Check out these circadian health tools!
I’m an affiliate with Bon Charge, a company that makes tools for circadian health, and you can receive 15% off your order with my coupon code BETSYL.
Bon Charge offers tools such as yellow– and red-tone blue-blocking glasses, red light therapy devices, PEMF mats, infrared saunas, and EMF-blocking products.
Sign up for the SSP!
I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.
You can sign up for the SSP here!
Heal your mind!
While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Order my books!
Here’s a short podcast highlighting my five books.
My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.
The Sacred Self-Healing Method ebook is available here and in most ebook retailers!
The Sacred Self-Healing Workbook is available for purchase here!
Betsy’s first book, Sacred Self-Healing: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness, is available here
Companion Recordings
The companion audio recordings of chants, guided meditations, and sound healing demonstrations that accompany the Sacred Self-Healing Method are available for free on my YouTube channel here
What do you think?
I’d love to have your reply below!
Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.
