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 [easyazon_link asin=”156025856X” locale=”us”]big pharmaceutical companies[/easyazon_link] 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)
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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 ingested Disease Agent.
Problem Days with Greater Side Effects
There are generally 3 days during which most cleansers experience the greatest number of master cleanser 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 [easyazon_link asin=”B00HYQ5L98″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”mc-easyazon-us-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The 10-Day Skin Brushing Detox: The easy, natural plan to look great, feel amazing, & eliminate cellulite[/easyazon_link], 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 is necessary, 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 body doesn’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, a new norm is set and symptoms disappear.
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?
This is my first master cleanse, and I’m at the end of day 7 on the lemonade diet. I chose to do the master cleanse because I had come down with an awful sinus infection, sore throat, swollen tonsils, horrible cough, the works!!! I didn’t have health insurance and am somewhat anti-antibiotics as i always develop secondary infections from them; so going to the doctor wasn’t really an option. Doing the master cleanse just seemed right, and the timing was perfect. I also used to have chronic heart burn and stomach upset, and I recently realized that I have a gluten sensitivity and many other food sensitivities as well. I wanted to clear all that nastiness out of my body so that I can start eating right. I’ve also suffered from chronic pain for several years which doctors labeled fibromyalgia, although my symptoms didn’t exactly match an accurate diagnosis.
By the end of day 3 on the cleanse, many of my symptoms from the sinus infection and congestion started to decrease significantly…much faster than if I had taken antibiotics, like I had done in the past! Also, a lot of my physical pain symptoms have improved greatly.
My only weird “side effect” is a constant rumbling in my tummy, but not from hunger. I’m taking a nightly laxative and have done the SWF 3 mornings so far, and I’m producing plenty of detox bowel movements.
Is the rumbling in my tummy a sign that my intestines are being “cleared out”??? Does anyone else have any experience of the non-hunger rumbling?
Oops, I meant to reply to you, but it appeared above your post. :)
This is my third try at the master cleanse. The first time around I failed because I cut corners around the ingredients (didn’t use fresh lemons, non-filtered water and didn’t do the ease in process). The second time around was a lot better because I had the ingredients, but I couldn’t handle the terrible nausea (and I didn’t do the salt-water flush). Now its my third time around and if I fail once again, i’m off it forever. I have all the right ingredients, followed the easing in steps, and have the non-iodized sea salt, now i just have yo get over the possible nausea.
I’m on day six and feel terrible. Slept fitfully with cold/hot spells. Got up and was seriously dizzy, cold, sweating and my brain was so fuzzy I couldn’t put rational thoughts together. I went back to bed for 2.5 hours and woke up feel the same.
I’m hanging by a thread here – any advice?
I should also add that I’ve followed this cleanse to the absolute letter. No deviations or changes.
Hello Fellow MC’s
How r u feeling? I hope u r doing better EVERYDAY . Today is
DAY 7 for me .Yesterday was horrible, I had a CRAZY CRAVING for chick peas w/olive oil -it was insane!!!!!!!!!!I couldn’t get the craving out of my head, normaly I prefer burgers or pizza but chick peas??? So at dinner time I decided to prepare myself to break the fast and I had a glass of orange juice w/water and then another glass several hours later also w/water. I have been told that I am pre-diabetic and my numbers have been good before the fast and also on days 1-6. My numbers have been between 105-119, which for me is good/normal BUT this morning it was 139 because of the O.J. that I had for dinner and after a momemt of prayer I was all charged up and understood what my body was telling me -that I
needed to continue to detox. Our bodies are wise and we need to listen to them. So with this heaven sent inspiration I started w/the lemonade drinks again today. Oh, before I forget today I no longer had that crazy craving. It really was strange and I had never had any cravings in my previous 3 fast, and one time I did 35 days.This time I’m TERMINED TO KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF!! COME HELL OR HIGH WATER-well, this time I am ARMED and PRAYED-UP and have more knowledge on how to keep it off. And above ALL w/God’s help I am set free from my emotional eating habits.I just received my book order-BEYOND THE MASTER CLEANSE by TOM WOLOSHYN and on part 4 of his book, it talks about
–EATING YOUR EMOTIONS—ADDICTIONS AND EMOTIONS–
FORGIVENESS— ETC. So today I WILL ASK YOU-WHAT’S EATING AT YOU??? that causes you to run to FOOD???-in my case it was some hurts That I was carrying AROUND FOR YEARS but I HAVE JUST RECENTLY (IN FEB.) DECIDED TO FORGIVE THAT PERSON AND ONCE I DID THAT I HAD THIS OVERWHELMING DESIRE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF AND MY HEALTH. AND I AM GOING TO ACCOMPLISH IT !!!! WITH GOD’S HELP OF COURSE. BE BLESSED!! SARITA
1st time and at Day 5 EOD. Going for 10days. 2swf per day. 38yr old male father of 2. 195lbs 6’6″. I have been prone to back pain in recent years. i have 7 herniated 3 of which are fully ruptured into my nerves. i spent an accumulated 1/4 of the past year laying on my hardwood floor. i have awoke the past 3 days without back pain for the first time in the past couple of years. I have lost about 7lbs of beer/dad weight thus far from my mid core section. I’m slender and my natural weight is about 180 which I feel on track to get to. Aside from the goal to lose weight to help with my Pilates and retraining my core I wanted to simply detox as I’m a drinker and smoke a couple cigs most days.
I can’t say enough how awesome this experience is. It’s been such a nice mental gear or headspace to be in. I feel focused, energetic, and younger. I say this even as I sit here sniffling, sneezing, and have some splotchy skin. Glad I read the above article to know what these symptoms are all about. Ok tea time! Cheers and thanks for being a great resource.
Hi, i just finished my Day3 on the lemonade diet. So far so good :) Ive been losing 1kg (2.2lbs a day) since i started. I just want to know, how often can a person do the MC in a year? I think detoxing is really necessary from time to time, but I dont want to overdo it. Thanks!
I’m on day 5 …
I feel wonderful …
The only issue is that SWF.. It’s hard but I get it all down with in 60 chugs(gulps)at the most.
I’m a born and raised Vegetarian..And I still can’t believe how much junk comes out !!
I don’t eat fast foods at all ,and NO sodapop in over 5 yrs..
It really is a spiritual moment between you and your body…
I have been doing fasts my whole life, but never a MC….
I am at day 1 of the MC. I’ve done it before for 14 days, and it was awesome! I felt a lot better and learned how to eat again. I hope I can finish this one I m doing now. Seems more difficult now then before! The first time I did it, I lost 12 pounds. I didnt do the SWF, and I am not doing it this time as well. Is that a problem?!
hi, im kawana i was wondering . what are you aloud to eat during the mc??
Hi Kawana,
Actually, no solid foods are allowed. Your main source of sustenance will be the lemonade, but you can also drink organic herbal teas. If you feel very hungry, you can also suck on the pulp of one of the lemons you use to make the juice or try taking a small dose of maple syrup alone, just to get the sweet taste unaltered by the cayenne and the lemons. Sometimes, that can be all you need to fight off psychological cravings.
Hi it is my 4th day.. i did not to the ease in method.. I did not do the swf today because i had allot of errands to run today… about 330ish i begin to feel chills and feverish. I assume this is because i didnt not do the swf. it is now 5pm and i have not drank any lemonade in an hour and did the swf. is this normal?
Hi Nicolle,
It’s normal to experience cold or flu-like symptoms. This isn’t connected with missing the swf. It’s just a side effect of the cleanse, and actually a good thing because it means toxins are leaving your body.
I’ve been on a weight training program to try to build muscle mass. Not a lot because I am a girl, but just enough to look toned. I was wondering if I do the master cleanse can I still continue doing weight training or is it bad to do without taking in protein. Also, would it totally mess up the cleanse to take a scoop of protein powder in water after my workouts?
Hi Gerica,
Regarding the weight training workout, it all depends on how you feel, especially since it doesn’t sound like you’re planning to do a very extreme workout. If you’re feeling energized, go for it.
Protein powder might counteract the effects of the cleanse. Try to stick with natural foods as much as you can. Here’s an article that gives you a few additional suggestions: http://www.livestrong.com/article/399267-how-to-get-protien-on-the-master-cleanse/
Thanks :)
Master Cleanse- Day 8
I only started noticing breakouts and dizziness yesterday, my back has broken out all over, as well as a little bit on my forehead. Is this normal?
Hi Clay,
Yes, breakouts are definitely normal and also a good sign — it means toxins are leaving your system. To help with dizziness, drink more of the lemonade.