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?
Just starting and I have read everything. I find no mention of heartburn, I have GERD, and suffering with belching and discomfort. Any solutions?
Me too!!!
I started my cleansing diet just today and I started breaking up, i have some rashes in my arms and some breakouts are starting to appear on my head. I have done this diet for over 5 yrs and eventhough the first couple times I nevered experience such thing because I was sort of healthier back than, this past year I gained weight and my life style changed a little bit.i was still eating ok however i kept filling my jar of calories and not burning them with exercise. I also had some type of infection and when i went to see the dr she gave me lots of antibiotics, i really hate it the,, i try not to take any medications unless if they are natural homeopathic. But since I gained weight and my bad cholesterol went into a raised i decided to go back to my natural remedy to help me boost again to go back to where I was and even better,i need the energy and for me doing this diet has helped me more than other stuff i have tried in the past. I belive greatly in how God created such bodiesto have the ability to heal by itself tpyes the process takes a while and the pain too but is just that a while and temporary. Even when the side effects mentioned here are most commonly not everyone has them and others may react differently too. Remember all bodies are different and they all respond differently too and don’t be scared. If your body does not respond than in some way that means that you are not doing it right. Right here is he chanc3 to take advantage to see those ugly effects becausw that means your body is responding and its cleansing. Don’t be alarmed or worried , trust in you. In order to do this you need to trust in God, the power He granted you to heal and believe in the diet. It will work believe me. Yes you will get hungry and crave and is tough I am like this right this moment and is just m 1st day but I can do it and I will for a better body, healthier life, a better mind and more energized.
I’m stunned here. I thought that salt cause us to retain water. So wouldn’t doing the SWF be doing more harm than good? How long does that salt stay in our bodies? BTW I tried the SWF a few times and it kept coming out of my nose (very uncomfortable). I’m on my 3rd MC and today is Day 5. Days 1-3 were the hardest!! Day 4 was still hard, but better. Today (Day 5) isn’t so bad, but I feel super tired when I first get out of bed (I sleep alone lol)- is this normal?
Can people with high blood pressure do the salt water cleanse?
I have some questions that are not answered or are not clear to me and would like to know if anyone can help me first question is for the sea salt cleanse is it done once for the 3days or once a day every 3 days? Second question there is no food eaten through out the lemonade diet just fruits and vegetables for 10 days? And last d
Is it required to do it all together or cam
N I just do the sea salt cleanse alone and it will work?
Please help and thank you in advance
I have done the sea salt cleanse every morning of the cleanse. Sometimes I may substitute the laxative in the morning if I am not going out much.
No food – the lemonade is enough.
I don’t know what you would be accomplishing with just the sea salt cleanse. Anyone?
Hi, I’m just on day 2 and I feel like my body is releasing a lot of lactic acid. Is this normal?
Is master cleanse safe for those with heart ailments, diabetes or cholesterol problems?
Thanks!
I am on the 4th day of the cleanse and am experiencing a burst of energy at night. I am unable to sleep and feel wide eyed all day long. Almost the way one feels after a few espresso shots. I seem to have the most energy between 8:00pm and midnight. Is this normal?
I’m also suffering from insomnia and I’m on my fifth day,is this normal??
Is muscle mass loss a serious concern?
Please comment on this article below:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/466717-master-cleanse-muscle-loss/
I would greatly appreciate your feedback. I am big fan of master cleanse.
I heard ridding yourself of a disease is far more important than being worried of temporary muscle mass loss.
Thanks.
Muscle loss isn’t a big concern. This is 10 days, not a lifetime. You can increase your protein intake before, as well. While you don’t take much protein at all during the cleanse, your body actually will synthesize most of the protein it needs. What’s more, your body isn’t trying to build muscle, so it has less demand for protein.
“The following side effects are results of the Laxative, SWF, improperly taking the Lemonade and/or the general detox process itself:”
This is a quote from the FAQs page. My tongue is whiter than ever. How do I determine what I am doing ‘wrong’? This my first cleanse and finishing day 5.
Is it normal that nothing special comes out during my movements? Is it good or am I doing something wrong?