The Body Remembers: Sensitivity, Healing, and the Creative Life
As artists, we often use our bodies as instruments to tell stories, convey emotion, and reflect the human experience. But what happens when the body itself becomes reactive—when it starts responding to the world with confusion, inflammation, or exhaustion? Whether you’re on stage, behind the mic, or simply navigating everyday life, there’s a growing recognition that creative individuals, especially those who’ve experienced trauma or intense emotional work, may be more sensitive to the environments around them.
One lesser-known but increasingly recognized condition linked to immune dysregulation is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a complex disorder where the body’s mast cells become overly reactive and start releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators too easily.
Mast cells play a key role in our immune system and are found throughout the body—in the skin, lungs, gut, brain, and blood vessels. When these cells go haywire, they can affect nearly every system in the body. People with MCAS may experience breathing issues, digestive problems, rashes, headaches, anxiety, fatigue, light and sound sensitivity, vision changes, flushing, and more.
Triggers vary. Some of the most common include mold exposure, bacterial or viral infections, chemical fragrances, certain foods, heat, exercise, and emotional stress. One of the more misunderstood aspects of MCAS is that symptoms can appear inconsistent or vague at first—leading many to be misdiagnosed with mental health conditions or told “it’s all in your head.” But the truth is, this is a very real immune condition, and being gaslit or dismissed can add emotional trauma to an already fragile body.
MCAS also often mimics traditional allergies, which adds another layer of confusion. A person may test positive for certain allergens, like dust mites or pollen, and also have symptoms like rashes, asthma, or food reactions. But in MCAS, the body may react through a different pathway—one that doesn’t involve IgE antibodies like classic allergies do. This means someone may experience intense physical symptoms triggered by things like mold, temperature changes, or smells, even when those triggers don’t show up on standard allergy tests. The body is still reacting, but not through a typical allergy mechanism. In fact, many people have both MCAS and allergies, but the mast cell activation often causes reactions that are harder to detect, treat, or even believe. This overlap can lead to misdiagnosis or incomplete care if deeper immune dysfunction isn’t considered.
Although there is currently no known cure for MCAS, many people do go into remission or experience significant relief with the right combination of treatments and lifestyle support. And while medical help is important, healing often requires a multi-layered approach.
One powerful yet often overlooked way to support the body in healing is through the arts. Creative expression—whether through movement, storytelling, music, or visual art—can shift the body out of a fight-or-flight state and into one of calm and restoration. This is more than emotional relief. The nervous system and immune system are deeply intertwined, and calming one often helps regulate the other. For people navigating chronic inflammation or reactivity, the arts can be an essential tool—not just a form of expression, but a way to reconnect with safety, flow, and identity.
This is especially true for performers. Acting, in particular, often asks us to embody emotional truths—sometimes reenacting painful or historically charged moments. In one of my own experiences, I was cast in a role that required me to portray an enslaved woman, which forced me to access generational trauma in a very real, physical way. Even with training, the nervous system doesn’t always distinguish between performance and reality. For some artists, emotional triggers from past experiences—whether personal or inherited—can lead to tension, shakiness, loss of confidence, or even physical symptoms. Recognizing this and learning techniques to stay grounded not only protects your health, but deepens your ability to perform with authenticity and intuition, without reactivating trauma.
Supportive Options That May Help:
Low-histamine diet and identifying food triggers
Mast cell stabilizing supplements, such as quercetin, luteolin, vitamin C, DAO enzymes, and magnesium
Histamine-reducing medications when appropriate (e.g., antihistamines, H1/H2 blockers under supervision)
Naturopathic support, including anti-inflammatory protocols, gut repair, and detoxification (many have found this more effective than conventional care)
Mold remediation or environmental detox, especially in cases tied to CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)
PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy) and grounding practices to support nervous system recovery
Deep breathing, vagus nerve stimulation, and vocal toning—practices like slow breathing, humming, gentle singing, and chanting can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce inflammation
Stress reduction, trauma therapy, and nervous system regulation to avoid chronic immune activation
Creative expression to restore a sense of safety and flow when words or treatments fall short
The condition is highly individualized—what helps one person might not work for another. But help is available, and many have walked this path and found support, answers, and peace.
Book Recommendations:
These books explore the science and emotion behind the mind-body connection, trauma, and healing:
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg
Toxic by Dr. Neil Nathan (especially for mold/CIRS-related illness)
Wired for Healing by Annie Hopper
When the Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté
Where to Learn More or Get Help:
Dr. Lawrence Afrin and Dr. Theoharis Theoharides are among the leading MCAS researchers whose work is publicly available online.
MastCellHope.com mcasaware.org, and SurvivingMold.com are helpful starting points for education and patient stories.
To find integrative or naturopathic practitioners familiar with MCAS, visit:
🔹 www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner (Institute for Functional Medicine)
🔹 www.naturopathic.org (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians)
If you’re navigating mysterious symptoms or feel like your body is reacting to the world around you in ways others don’t understand, know this—you’re not alone, and your body is not betraying you. It’s asking for support. And healing, while non-linear, is absolutely possible.
