This post discusses toxic triggers for MCAS.
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The biggest triggers for MCAS, stress, toxins, and infection, all cause mast cells to dump their mediators, which brings inflammation to affected body parts, further activating mast cells. At the same time, your organ systems respond to the increased mast cell activity, leading to more symptoms and furthering the cycle. This post continues the discussion about the three triggers for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS – pronounced “em-cass”): Infections, Toxins, and Stress. I covered infectious triggers in this previous post, and this post covers stress.
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.
What are toxins?
The category of toxins includes everything from environmental pollution to pesticides in your food, EMFs, off-gassing from furniture, paint, building materials, home furnishings, car interiors, and even mold exposure.
Why are toxic triggers for MCAS?
Toxic exposure can cause vagus nerve damage, which signals to the brain that the body is not safe. When a continuous message signals that the body is unsafe, mast cells overreact and congregate at the perceived site of toxic injury, exacerbating inflammation and perpetuating the cycle of overreactivity.
What are toxic triggers for MCAS?
There are many types of toxic triggers for MCAS.
Environmental toxic triggers for MCAS
We are all exposed to some form of pollution in our world. One aspect that you can control is where you live. This post covers many of the factors to consider when choosing a place to live.
Pesticides and chemical toxic triggers in food
Eating a clean, whole foods diet is part of any health routine. But going a step further and eating organic is crucial when you are suffering from MCAS, because pesticides and other chemicals in food are a major contributor to Mast Cell issues.
Household toxic triggers for MCAS
These harmful chemicals, which are endemic in our modern environment, are triggers for MCAS as well:
VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) tend to be two to five times higher in indoor air than in outdoor air.
PFAS, including PFOAs, PFOS, PTFE, etc.
Vinyl Chloride is used to produce chemicals, including vinyl shower curtains and PVC.
Phthalates are used to make plastics more flexible and less prone to breaking.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS) are found in plastics
Flame retardants are in clothing and textiles
Bromopropane is found in everything from pesticides and flavors and fragrances to pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.
Propylene Oxide is used to produce polyurethane foam.
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?
EMFs
Non-Native Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMFs) are a growing concern for those with chronic health issues. See this post for more.
Mold Toxicity
Check out this post on how to identify, remediate, and heal from mold toxicity.
Parasites
If you have chronic health conditions such as MCAS, you likely have many co-morbid conditions. Because MCAS causes gut imbalance,s you are more susceptible to colonization by unhelpful opportunistic organisms. A common one is parasites. Check out this post for more on identifying and treating parasites.
Healing on Multiple Levels
So, as with infections and stress, if you want to heal toxin triggers for MCAS, you need to take a multi-pronged approach:
- Address the root cause of the toxic exposure, so you stop being exposed to it
- Deal with the limbic and vagal issues so that the body knows it is no longer under attack;
- Detox from the toxic exposure (see below)
- Continue to calm mast cell reactions with dietary and supplement support
Homeopathy for detoxing
I use Energetix homeopathic remedies for many facets of MCAS, from sleep to addressing infections to detoxing.
Energetix homeopathic products are prepared according to the HPUS (Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States) and formulated to address a wide range of modern concerns effectively. The pleasant-tasting liquid form of Energetix remedies is easy to dose and use.
Energetix makes three types of homeopathic remedies: Paths, Tones, and Chords.
- Paths – Product names ending in “Path” are for symptoms related to weakness or imbalance in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Tones – Product names ending in “Tone” are for symptoms related to congestion or stress in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Chords – Product names ending in “Chord” are for symptoms related to systems, organs, glands, or tissues that are compromised or overburdened by toxins.
With Energetix remedies, you are best off combining a Chord with a Tone; the Chord addresses toxicity in the body, while the Tone provides drainage support to excrete the toxins. Paths can be taken without the support of a Tone.
Here is my list of go-to Energetix Remedies for detoxing when you have MCAS or other chronic illnesses.
Here is my list of go-to Energetix Remedies for MCAS.
Calm Five – is helpful for trauma
Relax Tone is one of my favorite supports for restlessness and sleep
Relief Tone helps address injuries and trauma
Isopathic Phenolic Rings supports those with multiple sensitivities
MycoCan-Chord is for symptoms of Candida mold toxicity
Para-Chord is for addressing parasites
Viru-Chord helps clear viral infections such as EBV
Neuro-Chord is helpful for neurotoxins
Hepata-Chord pairs with Hepatic-Tone, and is for general liver toxicity
Tox-Chord is for chemical toxicity
Drainage Tone supports detox pathways
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy
Hypothamalapath – assists with neuropathy, concussion, brain fog, sleep, and hot flashes.
Metabopath supports the Krebs cycle and aids metabolism
BioCatalin Lotion – is for joint and muscle pain and sciatica
MycoDerm – is an ointment for rashes and skin conditions
PhytoGel – is an aloe-based arnica gel
It is important to pair Chords with Tones, so if you would like help choosing remedies for your specific situation, please schedule a session with me for individualized support. Click here to schedule a session.
Frequency healing for detoxing
Individualized, targeted microcurrent can also be a powerful tool for detoxifying the entire body.
Work with a qualified health provider to assess your toxic load and determine a plan to detox your body on a schedule you can tolerate.
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.
