When the body goes through a detoxification process, it can impact numerous bodily systems and functions. Although some of these detoxification symptoms may be unpleasant, they are well worth it.
Learn about these symptoms to reduce their impact on you. But first, let us know what detox is.
Detox
Your body goes through the detoxing process if you stop taking something that your body is used to to get rid of it from your system. The brain depends on the substance to achieve a high, euphoric, or tired, relaxed state. This alters the brain’s “normal” state. The brain reacts when a person consumes a drug.
Whether the goal is to reduce pain, create a buzzed or high state, or change how the brain functions, the body adapts and, if used frequently, becomes dependent on the drug.
Your body needs time to return to “normal” after you stop using drugs. In the interim, your body starts to show signs of detoxing and, if you will, begins to rebel. The detoxification process involves removing the drug from the body so the brain can make the necessary corrections.
Symptoms That Your Body is Detoxing
1. Tiredness, Headaches, and Irritability
These are detoxing symptoms you may experience or develop from avoiding addictive substances such as sugar, wheat, dairy, coffee, and other products that you consume daily. Other causes of these symptoms include dehydration and constipation (which inhibit toxin elimination), blood sugar fluctuations, and ineffective toxin release.
You might feel exhausted whenever your body experiences significant changes. The same is true for detoxing from drugs and alcohol. You must exert a lot of mental and physical energy to stimulate your body and mind to eliminate toxins. You can anticipate more regular sleep patterns once you’ve completed your detox.
2. Food Cravings
Food cravings are common during any elimination diet, including the dietary component of a metabolic detoxification program. In a few days, cravings will eventually disappear. During detoxification programs, food cravings can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Abstinence from habit-forming foods and drinks.
- The use of sugar to break bad habits.
- As a result of dietary changes, the digestive tract may experience microbial imbalances.
Because they all produce an opioid-like brain response, many of these foods can be addictive. Sweet tastes stimulate the release of serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, which can lead to sugar addiction. The condition of the microbiome may influence food cravings; specific strains are associated with desires.
Gut microbes can cause cravings that benefit that particular microbe, even if it is detrimental to the host. Additionally, these microbes may cause the host to feel ill until the craving is satisfied and euphoria sets in.
The dietary components of metabolic detoxification programs can aid in the shift of the microbiome and the treatment of certain aspects of dysbiosis. One additional advantage is the ability to overcome cravings for sugar and other unhealthy foods.
3. Bowel Irregularities
Constipation is the enemy of detoxification, as many toxins are eliminated via feces. Even though a detoxification meal plan typically includes a fiber-rich, vegetable-rich diet for nutritional support, some people still experience bowel irregularity and digestive symptoms due to the diet change.
Conclusion
When your body is detoxing, it purges harmful substances from your system. The possible symptoms can vary depending on your body’s detox, but common symptoms are outlined in this article.
It is essential to keep a close eye on how you feel during and after detoxing to ensure you are doing all you can to support your body. Drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of rest to help your body get through this process.
American Addiction Institute of Mind & Medicine is an addiction treatment in Orange county. We offer medication-assisted treatment & Intensive outpatient programs, helping you detox from addiction. Contact us now!