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The Definitive Top 27 Master Cleanser Side Effects
Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by harbour in Blog, The Master Cleanse
Let’s rename The Master Cleanser Side Effects. I want to call them Front Effects because they are simple, natural, tolerable and, most importantly, a sign of your healing in progress. The term “side effect” has an emotional trigger for most of us. We associate the term with the life-threatening effects of modern prescriptions. We think of side effects as something unwanted. The Master Cleanser Side Effects are very much wanted. These “Side Effects” are why we are Master Cleansers to begin with.
The Master Cleanser Side Effects are well worth it and so natural.
Are Master Cleanser Side Effects really “Side Effects” at all? I have a hard time referring to the Master Cleanse “Side Effects” as such; at least in the traditional sense.
When I think of side effects, I think of those absurd TV commercials for artificial prescriptions that big pharmaceutical companies are trying to convince us we need. They even “brand” a disease with a term and then give it an acronym (such as ED for erectile dysfunction) so that they can market a “Cure” for you. Then they have the nerve to list dozens of horrifying side effects while calming music plays and we watch very healthy happy people illustrating just how healthy and happy we can be if only we take their product. For life –or at least for as long as their product doesn’t kill us, make us bleed from the eyes or have 4-hour erections, etc.
It is mind boggling that people will denounce The Master Cleanse as a treatment, cure, prevention, cleanse,etc. because you might have a headache on the second day or break out for a few days, whereas these drugs being offered as cures include catastrophic side effects such as paralysis and “an increased risk of death”. HA!
They slip these “Side Effects” in the side door when you’re not looking, hoping you will be so convinced you’re already dying that their prescribed increased risk of death won’t look so bad.
Positive Master Cleanser Side Effects
Since The Master Cleanse is a Detox Diet, or Cleansing Diet rather than primarily a Weight Loss Diet, the fact that you will likely lose weight is, in fact, a side effect as well.
Most people would view a side effect of weight loss as a positive one, but not all. Those of us who are already living a balanced, healthy lifestyle will not have much weight to lose, thus rendering weight loss unwelcome, as it would likely mean lean muscle loss.
Those who have weight to lose will lose weight as a side effect of the Master Cleanse. Those who have some weight to lose will lose that weight and plateau at their natural weight. It has even been reported that those who are under-weight will actually lose no weight and even gain weight.
So even though many people use The Master Cleanse for Weight Loss, that doesn’t make it the primary intention of the Detox. In fact it is more about weight management than weight loss, since the loss of weight is not your body’s primary objective either. The primary objective is DETOX and the positive results of the detox: the cleansing of our bodies of toxins and waste results in the side effects we Master Cleansers refer to as Healing Events.
Healing Events (Healing Crisis)
Tom Woloshyn refers to Healing Events as Healing Crisis, but I prefer the term Healing Events since it casts a more positive light on the events. The Healing Events truly are positive as they represent the elimination of something that caused a Disease Event when they were first ingested.
There is a saying in the Master Cleanser Community about the side effects we call Healing Events: “Sick in, Sick out”.
When you pick up something like a flu virus, bacteria, or something your body wants to reject, you experience a Disease Event. Your body is not “At Ease”, but rather in a state of “Dis-Ease” because of it. Your body’s immune system then deploys any and all available defense mechanisms to expel the intruder. These mechanisms include:
- Stuffed Nose, Runny Nose or Congestion
- Coughing and Sneezing
- Sore throat and swollen glands
- Fatigue, Muscle aches and other Cold and Flu Symptoms
- Skin Irritation such as Rashes and Breakouts
- Headaches
- Fever
- Cold sores or other mouth sores
All of these “side effects” of a cold, flu or any other disease agent are the result of your body’s primary objective: to rid the body of the disease agent.
All of these “side effects” are actually just the reaction to the disease agent as it now exits your body.
And best of all: these “side effects” are temporary. They last for only a brief period. The Healing Events resulting from the Disease Agent are far less severe than the Disease Events which were the cause of the ingestedDisease Agent.
Problem Days with Greater Side Effects
There are generally 3 days during which most cleansers experience the greatest number of side effects, especially those of the Healing Crisis variety noted above. Day 1, Day 3 and Day 4 always seem to be the hardest. In my Day-to-Day account of the characteristics of each day during The Lemonade Diet, I have named these days: Day 1 – Bandwagon, Day 3 – Healing Events, and Day 4 – Hump Day.
- Day 1 – Bandwagon Side Effects: The side effects of day 1 are usually Detox Side Effects or Withdrawal Side Effects (both discussed below)
- Day 3 – Healing Events: Day 3 is when most of the Healing Events tend to surface. This is likely due to the detox part of the Master Cleanse really starting to reach a critical point.
- Day 4 – Hump Day: Healing Events are often short lived, lasting only a day or two. I once had severe cold symptoms for one night only. They disappeared as quickly as they came. Day 4 is Hump Day like Wednesday is in our work week. Just get past these Healing Events and you are likely to succeed the rest of the way.
Master Cleanser Detox Side Effects
There are a few side effects of The Master Cleanser that are not directly related to Healing Events. I call these the Detox Side Effects, as they are not the common cold or flu symptoms we experience when our body is fighting off a new invader.
The following side effects are results of the Laxative, SWF, improperly taking the Lemonade and/or the general detox process itself:
- White Tongue: A general side effect of the detox. It is generally reported that the tongue turns pink again once detoxing is complete.
- Bad Breath: Related to the aforementioned White Tongue. This is due to the extra release of toxins through the tongue.
- Greater Tooth Plaque: Related to above.
- Mucous Increase: A primary tool of our immune system, the loosening of mucous including sinus congestion and draining is brought on by the Fresh Lemon Juice and Cayenne Pepper)
- Increased Ear Wax: Similar to above.
- Nausea: Usually the result of the Salt Water Flush
- Dizziness: Usually the result of not drinking enough Fresh Lemonade or not drinking it early enough in the morning upon rising (especially after the SWF).
- Feeling Chilled: Not “chills” like when you have a cold, but feeling cold as the result of lowered metabolism.
- Passing Gallstones: This is not uncommon and is good news.
- Diarrhea: Either from the SWF or from an excess of Vitamin C from the Lemon Juice.
Withdrawal Side Effects
Discussing these side effects from the perspective of the Healing Events and Detox isnecessary, as they are indeed related to the cleanse. However, many of the side effects felt by cleansers are not necessarily the result of the detox, or healing, nor are they some awful sign that cleansing is not for you. They are often just symptoms of withdrawal from some chemical dependency you have.
There are many common chemical dependencies which (if you did the cleanse properly) you would have had to stop feeding during the cleanse.
- Nicotine
- Alcohol and Drugs
- Caffeine
These substances are obvious. Most of us know we go through nicotine and alcohol withdrawal, but we don’t always realize that caffeine withdrawal can be even worse. Caffeine is a food (found in coffee, tea and other foods like chocolate). Food is addictive as well. Most of us know that, but we don’t dig much deeper than that basic understanding. Caffeine is a drug which is found in food. All food is a drug, as are all substances. Everything we consume is a chemical that our bodies break down, then decide to use, expel, destroy or quarantine.
So we can be addicted to anything. We can be addicted to coffee, sugar, pasta, or sushi.
And when our bodies don’t get a substance it is expecting, it will send us signals–often painful ones– that it wants that substance NOW. Once the body is re-accustomed to NOT expecting these substances and new norm is set and symptoms dissapear.
Now most of those foods aren’t as chemically addictive as caffeine is, but they can certainly be emotionally or psychologically addictive.
Emotional and Psychological Master Cleanser Side Effects
The loss of Comfort Foods can be devastating both emotionally and psychologically. We are so used to managing our chemistry by ingesting foods we like. If we feel down, we turn to food because eating it will make us feel good, either because we like the taste so much or because we have another association built into that food. Perhaps this type of cookie reminds me of my childhood when times were more simple. Maybe that ice-cream puts me into a state of subconscious self-loathing that I have come to depend on.
This is a major topic and is beyond the scope of this article, but it is worth mentioning because it leads to the following two Emotional Side Effects and Psychological Side Effects of The Master Cleanse:
- Impatience and Irritability: Our patience can really be tested when we are not getting what we want; when we are not comforted by our crutches.
- Flashbacks (Feelings, Tastes): in his book “The Complete Master Cleanse” Tom Woloshyn describes the body as a “Time Machine”, saying that his clients report tasting cigarettes or feeling “stoned” as they relive past experiences
Any other Master Cleanser Side Effects?
I have avoided going into detail on a number of very common side effects in an attempt to keep this post from getting too long. I want to leave the forum open to you to so you can add your own feelings. What were some Master Cleanser Side Effects that you experienced? How did you overcome them?
54 Responses to “The Definitive Top 27 Master Cleanser Side Effects”
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Imee
31. Jan, 2010
I am on my 2nd day of ease out and I am having cold and flu symptoms. I actually feel like I’m running a fever right now. Was wondering if anyone has ever experienced this? This is my 4th time doing the master cleanse and the last 2 times I did it the I got a cold and flu like symptoms! Please help I was cleansing for 11 days and had to ease out because of this.
GBG
25. Jan, 2010
Ease In day one…after reading everyone’s comments really considering not doing this
ival
24. Jan, 2010
Today is day 1 of my master cleanse…. the salt water flush was the worst. I am chugging away at the lemonade now… feeling rather sleep deprived!
Andy
23. Jan, 2010
Tina,
You couldn’t have revealed my thought any more clear or concise. I am on day 17 (as of an hour ago) and have been feeling, thinking and whispering this very notion for weeks. I have attained glimpses of pure knowledge though fleeting when driving away with “reality”. Although this is sustained sence of consciousness that should be a part of me but is filled buy cravings and the pursuit of filling them
I needed to read this due to coming up against another wall in this clense. Understand that my orginal intent was to complete a 30 day quest, This being my first clense I was perhaps being nieve. I will continue until my body tells me. But I was momenterly feeling outside entities swaying my thoughts to continue at all. “It’s not healthy” I will let MY body tell me that. I thank you for your statment reminded my of this.Stay on the grow Tina.
Andy
Sarah Coulibaly
22. Jan, 2010
i started the master cleanse 4 days ago….and everything was goin great until today…everything started normal i got up and went to work was drinking the solution and everything was fine until about 4 hours into work then i really started to notice what my co worker was talking about when she asked if i was ok, because i wasnt acting liek myself , i took a break thinking i could get my thoughts together and returned some time later the break did not help, its like i know what i want to say but i have to search for the words or actions that i want to do…and its like my body is here but my mind is not! i was shaking and i ended up crying for no reason at all….it feels like im on drugs but i do not do drugs….im worried and everyone at work told me to eat because they think its my bodys way of telling me that im doing something bad to my body!!! i have yet to eat because in just the first 3 days i lost exactly 10 lbs and it felt great but i dont know? should i eat or continue on the diet? i have not found any of these side effects on any other website and am just worried!!!!
Kelly
22. Jan, 2010
I am on Ease out day 2. This is the second time I have done the Master Cleanse. I have decided to do one every year. My biggest side effect was horrible headaches during day 1, 2 and 3 due to caffeine withdrawal. I also noticed that my sense of smell was very strong. I had trouble sleeping next to my husband at night because I could smell garlic from his dinner on his breath. At the beginning of my cleanse I couldnt wait to just have a cup of coffee, but now all I am craving is berries, nuts and fruit.
Louis
22. Jan, 2010
Kelly, I’m on Day 2 as well and I feel you on that cup of coffee. It drove me mad at work today. Of course in comes a co-worker with Starbucks! LOL…. I’m dealing with the same thing with my partner, he is reeking of garlic! He’s trying to quit smoking, so he’s snacking every 5 minutes it seems like and he is irritating the crap out of me! I’ve been doing the MC for over 20 years and I’ve been with him going on 8 years; I guessI need to take off work so I can be away from him most of the day and go to sleep as soon as he gets home! I need not go into when he cooks……..the whole neighborhood should be able to smell it!
Miserable but detoxing!
stella
16. Jan, 2010
Lemonade diet day 6
Forgot to mention this yesterday. After day 3 or so on the cleanse, i started experiencing an allergy i had for several years since childhood. This allergy vanished about 5 years ago but has suddenly resurfaced on the cleanse. Had the same experience during my last cleanse.
Jenna
16. Jan, 2010
I just finished the cleanse yesterday. I was surprised by the way I felt during the cleanse. The book says you will ‘loose weight, have more energy and feel better’. I assumed this meant DURING the cleanse… and I felt anything but that!! I’m moderately overweight, but I lost only 10 lbs… would have wanted to loose more; but as this isn’t the gist of the cleanse, that can be forgiven. I did, however, also NOT feel better and I did NOT have more energy. Quite the opposite!! I felt unmotivated and drained for the most part. It came to me afterwords that perhaps feeling better and having more energy come AFTER the cleanse, so I’m looking forward to feeling that in the days to come!
Louis
22. Jan, 2010
Jenna, I’m surprised as well! I’ve been doing the MC for 22 years, and each time I feel great during and after. Couple of questions….Did you put yourself on a schedule as far as taking your laxative the same time every night, morning flush at the same time, get to bed at or near the same time? What state of mind were you in most importantly? We have to respect the power and the balance that the MC enriches us with. We will have to make some adjustments and do what we should be doing any way! As far as the weight loss, to loose more weight, just lessen the amount of maple syrup after you get over the hump!
Keep you head up Sweetie!
stella
15. Jan, 2010
One major side effect i’ve experienced on the cleanse is feeling sorry for myself and getting very irritated. When i feel low or stressed, I normally reach for food to comfort and make me feel better. Its been really hard not to be able to do that whilst on the lemonade diet. I found myself crying this afternoon because i was missing my comfort food badly- not necessarily because i was hungry.
I’ve kept to myself since i’ve been on the diet. I cant seem to face any of my friends or any member of my extended family.
I’ve also noticed today that my nose has been very itchy and i’ve been craving and “seeing” foods i wouldnt normally eat.
I get the odd headaches every now and then. My tongue is white and very bitter and i feel sick (not only from the SWF) mainly every evening.
Louis
22. Jan, 2010
Hello Stella,
I recommend that you stay on the cleanse and get some counseling. I been apart of many forums and have never known of anyone to experience behavioral health problems. I’m not a MD, just my opinion.
Throwing nothing but luv at cha’!
stella
23. Jan, 2010
Louis
“behavioral health problems”? are you being serious?
In case you didnt realise, that message that i withdrew from my friends was actually posted when i was experiencing detox symptoms. Why would i want to socialise when i was irritable and snappy? Im perfectly ok now and back to my normal self.
Tina
14. Jan, 2010
I am thrilled to find another side effect of doing the Master Cleanse: my “witness” ability has strengthened enormously. If any of you have meditation backgrounds or training, or teach yoga (as I do) or practice any kind of Self-Awareness in your life (consciousness, enlightenment, taking ownership of all your actions, etc), then you might be noticing that here, on the Cleanse, we are not allowed to reach for that comfort food. We’re not allowed to react to that habit, that voice. So, all we can do is Witness it — all we can do is Notice, is Watch. Notice that we are having a craving, or feeling hungry, or feeling cold — but we can’t reach for any substances to comfort those cravings, except for the Lemonade or the Senna tea, of course! (I doubt you’d reach for the Salt Water Flush as comfort, ha ha). So this is absolutely *thrilling* to me! My awareness of the present moment, my ability to just witness (or stay detached, as the Buddhists would say) is being utilized over and over again, all day long, as I am on this Cleanse. Yay! It’s like one big long meditation, the Meditation Where You Can’t Reach for Any Comfort Substances. How cool! Thanks, Tina
Andy
25. Jan, 2010
Tina,
You couldn’t have revealed my thought any more clear or concise. I am on day 17 (as of an hour ago) and have been feeling, thinking and whispering this very notion for weeks. I have attained glimpses of pure knowledge though fleeting when driving away with “reality”. Although this is sustained sence of consciousness that should be a part of me but is filled buy cravings and the pursuit of filling them
I needed to read this due to coming up against another wall in this clense. Understand that my orginal intent was to complete a 30 day quest, This being my first clense I was perhaps being nieve. I will continue until my body tells me. But I was momenterly feeling outside entities swaying my thoughts to continue at all. “It’s not healthy” I will let MY body tell me that. I thank you for your statment reminded my of this.Stay on the grow Tina.
Andy
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