MCAS Hypnosis

What is MCAS?

A microscopic visualisation of mast cells

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition in which mast cells (immune cells that normally help defend the body) become overactive. They release far too many chemical mediators, such as histamine, in response to various triggers that may be mild, unpredictable or even unknown. This chemical release can cause a wide range of symptoms that affect many different parts of the body.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Skin: itching, hives, rashes, flushing
  • Gastrointestinal: bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
  • Respiratory: wheezing, chest tightness, sinus congestion
  • Cardiovascular: low blood pressure, light-headedness, rapid heart rate
  • Cognitive and emotional: brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, mood swings
  • Medication intolerance: allergy-like symptoms when taking medications

MCAS is a relatively new diagnosis and many people go years without knowing what’s causing their symptoms. Symptoms often overlap with other conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), long COVID, CFS, or even long-term anxiety.

Diagnosis usually involves clinical history, blood-test evidence of elevated mast cell mediators and a positive response to medications such as antihistamines or mast cell stabilisers (Afrin et al., 2016). Since blood testing has to be paired with an active flare-up of symptoms, diagnosis by prescribing medications and “seeing what the effect is” may be the diagnostic approach employed. Do note that some GPs do not view MCAS as being an issue in its own right.

How Can Hypnosis Help With MCAS?

How can hypnosis can help with MCAS?

While hypnosis doesn’t change how mast cells function directly, hypnotherapy can play a powerful role in how the body responds to stress, triggers and how symptoms are managed day to day.

1. Calming the stress response

Stress is a well-documented trigger for mast cell degranulation (Theoharides et al., 2012). Hypnosis promotes deep relaxation and helps reduce the kind of chronic stress and hypervigilance that often fuel MCAS symptoms.

2. Reducing anxiety and emotional overload

Living with MCAS can lead to emotional burnout. Hypnosis has proven benefits in treating anxiety-related conditions and improving emotional regulation (Hammond, 2010). By using imagery, suggestion, and calming techniques, hypnosis can help reduce worry, irritability, and overwhelm.

3. Managing physical symptoms

Hypnosis can also help people manage physical symptoms such as pain, itching, nausea, and fatigue. These effects have been well documented in related conditions, particularly in functional gastrointestinal disorders like IBS (Palsson & Whitehead, 2002) and in chronic pain (Jensen et al., 2006).

4. Teaching self-regulation techniques

With self-hypnosis, you can learn to manage flare-ups, reduce sensory overload, and improve sleep. These tools are especially useful in all conditions or stress-sensitive symptoms like MCAS.

What’s the Evidence That Hypnosis Helps With MCAS?

References supporting efficacy of hypnosis MCAS treatment

There is currently no direct clinical trial evidence specific to MCAS and hypnosis. However, there is strong indirect evidence to support its use in managing MCAS symptoms and co-occurring conditions:

  • Stress and mast cells: Psychological stress activates mast cells through the nervous system (Theoharides et al., 2012).
  • Hypnosis for anxiety: Clinical reviews support hypnosis as an effective treatment for anxiety and stress disorders (Hammond, 2010).
  • Functional conditions: Hypnosis is well validated for (IBS NICE approved), fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, conditions that frequently co-occur with MCAS (Palsson & Whitehead, 2002; Jensen et al., 2006).
  • Neuroimmune effects: Hypnosis may influence inflammation and immune function by modulating vagus nerve activity and stress hormones (Gruzelier, 2002; VanElzakker & Brumfield, 2021).

Many medical clinicians working with complex chronic conditions now advocate the integration of hypnosis into the treatment mix to improve patient resilience and quality of life.

What to Expect from Hypnotherapy for MCAS?

How hypnosis for MCAS works in practical terms

Sessions are designed around your unique experience of MCAS. Typically, a treatment plan may include:

  1. First session: In the first extended duration session, we will explore your history, symptoms, sensitivities and goals.
  2. Relaxation and focus: You’ll be gently guided into a calm, focused state where therapeutic suggestions are more effective, sometimes known as a neuroplastic state, where change can be accelerated.
  3. Symptom support: We may focus on specific goals such as calming overreactive responses, reducing flare frequency, or improving sleep.
  4. Self-hypnosis training: You’ll learn how to use techniques at home or during stressful moments. You will be given resources to use back home to help you with this, including downloads and notes
  5. Ongoing support: You remain in control throughout. All sessions are adjusted to your pace and comfort.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re newly diagnosed with MCAS or beginning to suspect that MCAS might be behind your symptoms, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Hypnosis offers a gentle, non-invasive way to regain a sense of calm, manage symptoms and support your long-term well-being.

References

Afrin, L.B., Molderings, G.J., & Lyons, J.J. (2016). Mast cell activation disease: a concise practical guide for diagnostic workup and therapeutic options. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America, 36(2), 367–388.

Theoharides, T.C., Bondy, B., Tsilioni, I., & Neuroinflammation Research Group. (2012). Neuropsychiatric aspects of mast cells and allergic inflammation. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 73(7), 984–985.

Hammond, D.C. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(2), 263–273.

Palsson, O.S. & Whitehead, W.E. (2002). The growing case for hypnosis as adjunctive therapy for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Gastroenterology, 123(6), 2132–2135.

Jensen, M.P., McArthur, K.D., & Barber, J. (2006). Hypnosis for chronic pain management: a new hope. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 54(3), 275–287.

Gruzelier, J.H. (2002). A review of the impact of hypnosis, relaxation, guided imagery and individual differences on aspects of immunity and health. Stress, 5(2), 147–163.

Cheung, R.T., et al. (2003). Hypnosis for treatment of chronic pain: a meta-analysis. Pain, 100(1-2), 185–193.

VanElzakker, M.B. & Brumfield, S.A. (2021). Chronic illness, vagus nerve dysfunction, and mind–body therapy. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 705336.