MCS Resilience Project

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals.  These can be manmade or naturally occurring toxic substances. Frequently the affected individual has bioaccumulated a certain amount of toxic chemicals in their body that are difficult to get rid of.  Moreover, the accumulated toxic chemicals are prone to binding with other incoming substances, forming new molecular combinations.  This is overwhelming for the body, its immune system, and the microbiome.  As a result, the physiology of the chemically sensitive person develops a self-defense mechanism that expresses itself as chemical sensitivity in order to avoid further complications.  It is very challenging to recover from these situations due to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in the system, although management and improvement is very possible by supporting the physiology’s capacity to detoxify, rebalance itself and partially readapt to the chemical demands of the modern environment.   

There are also some purported cases in which a person develops multiple chemical sensitivity after an acute exposure to toxic chemicals, although their overall physiology has not bioaccumulated a significant amount of toxic chemicals throughout their lifetime.   In such cases, the person for some reason cannot get away from the polluted environment or is forced to be in the polluted environment for financial reasons (e.g. job exposure with failure to mitigate a hazardous chemical situation by the employer).  In such acute cases, the person has a better chance of recovering from MCS by removing themselves from the situation, metabolizing the toxic chemicals in the system, and retraining their physiology to accept a certain baseline of environmental pollution found in the modern environment.

Not everyone whose physiology has become overwhelmed with toxic chemicals develops multiple chemical sensitivity.  Some people will instead continue living a conventional life and develop other chronic health conditions due to failure to address the underlying problem.  The differences between which way a person may go likely depends on their genes, their social conditioning, and their personality.  Some people will naturally move away from substances that are hazardous to their health.  Others will ignore the hazards to maintain their jobs, social status, relationships and /or lifestyle.  Those with MCS have consciously or subconsciously chosen to prioritize their life and health over other factors.

Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity requires a lot of resilience from an individual—physically, emotionally, and cognitively.  One’s relationships, economic security, and life purpose are significantly undermined.  Further, the condition is not well understood by the average, person, leading to extreme social isolation, self-doubt, and loss of access to a variety of resources.  Moreover, the process of managing the condition is fraught with what feels like high-stakes decisions, lots of trial-and-error, and little understanding from the medical profession about how to safely detoxify and manage chemical exposures.

Nevertheless, it is possible to live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and even have a good quality of life.

I live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and I have an A type personality. I have spent years trying various techniques to manage and improve my MCS. Although I have heard of people who have recovered, I doubt that this is the case for me. I have improved my health, gained more freedom, and have a good quality of life, although this is sometimes intermittent.

This page is meant to be a resource for those with MCS. Ultimately I envision this as a book. I am at the beginning stages of documenting what I know.

Here is a high-level example:

There are ways to expand your capacity to tolerate manmade chemicals and to develop more resilience to living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). These processes are similar to the processes used by athletes, monks, and those doing mind-body practices to recover from other chronic physiological challenges. One cannot overdo it, and one has to do this slowly, purposefully and cultivate a certain state of mind. This is not a panacea to the world’s problems with manmade chemicals. However, it can afford a person more freedom and quality of life.‍ ‍

Example topics I intend to cover:

— Safer ways of detoxifying the body

— Joint and muscle mobility

— Dealing with friends, family, and acquaintances

— Prioritizing health effectively

— Useful herbal remedies

— Mind body practices