The CIRS Group Podcast

What do your genetics mean for chronic illness?

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, is a genetic illness. Your genes don’t mean you’re doomed, but being aware of them will help you avoid the triggers that together could cause you chronic illness like CIRS, chronic fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and more. Today we’ll dig into what those genetic haplotypes are, what they mean, and how you can help yourself and your family avoid chronic illness no matter what your genes might say. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
 
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer0:35 Why you should get your genes tested2:12 How genes are connected to CIRS3:03 How the Genetic Haplotypes affect your CIRS experience4:46 Genetic implications for your children and family7:13 Struggling to convince family of CIRS is common
HELPFUL LINKS:The HLA-DR Calculator at MyHouseMakesMeSick.com: https://myhousemakesmesick.com/hlacalc/Our episode with pediatrician Dr. Scott McMahon re: kids with CIRS (he goes into the genetic factor as well as how to educate your kids about CIRS): https://youtu.be/kBuAj41cHbo?si=E398hLWhrpGfrYma
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
 
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

Everything hurts! How to manage your pain as you heal from mold and CIRS

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, can sometimes cause intense, ongoing pain in severe cases. Joints, ligaments, muscles, your GI system, and even your brain can feel like it is on fire, and many normal pain medications won’t give relief. Today we wanted to do a special episode focusing on pain management for those of you experiencing pain that is incessant in hopes that one of these options might help you finally find some relief. As always, this is not medical advice: be sure to consult your CIRS doctor for which pain relief option might be best for you. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer0:40 Advocate for yourself1:50 Address root cause, but make it tolerable too3:55 Low Dose Naltrexone4:28 Cannabis, marijuana, or weed6:25 CBD7:05 Kratom7:28 Ketamine Therapy8:20 Curcumin9:24 MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane9:40 B1 therapy or B vitamins10:13 More dangerous options: Benzos or Benzodiazepines12:59 Opioids15:38 NSAIDS17:36 Other pain relieving activities: Heat or sauna18:50 Cold plunges19:12 Interact with animals
HELPFUL LINKS:B1 Protocol: https://thiamineprotocols.com/
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
 
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

CIRS 101: A Beginner's Guide to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, is a complicated illness that affects 1 in 4 people, but won’t “show itself” unless that person is exposed to biotoxins. What happens when that happens? We dive into it today! Your mysterious chronic illness could totally be CIRS, and we hope that if it is, you find your path to healing ASAP. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer2:00 What is CIRS?2:30 Who might have CIRS?3:04 What are biotoxins?5:30 Why do biotoxins cause issues in some people but not others?9:00 The impact of biotoxins on the body11:00 The CIRS Symptom Clusters13:49 So you have CIRS, what next?
HELPFUL LINKS:The CIRS Group playlist on getting a CIRS diagnosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBhE7N-EFj4&list=PLtFmHRLGI2wGvamsYw4aQ4y9OyHnXkHU7The CIRS Group playlist on The Shoemaker Protocol, the only clinically proven path to healing from CIRS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCT2iJrbI7w&list=PLtFmHRLGI2wHZTqMRx5Ty4Dv2bDXwt273Online Vision Contrast Sensitivity Test to help you determine if CIRS is likely for you: https://www.survivingmold.com/store/online-vcs-screening
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

Does your child get chronic headaches, tummy aches, or still wet the bed? It could be CIRS (mold!)

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
 
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, affects children too! And often can be treated far easier than the treatment for adults. Today, we have a very special guest, Pediatrician and FIRST EVER Shoemaker certified doctor, Dr. Scott McMahon. We ask him all the big questions about CIRS in children: how to diagnose, how to treat, how it manifests, and how to get your pediatrician on board with the Shoemaker Protocol. Disclaimer: this is not medical advice, please consult a CIRS literate doctor for help treating you or your children’s CIRS. ALSO: Stay tuned until the end for EXCITING news about CIRSx 2025 and the first ever CIRS online Summit! For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
 
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 Intro and disclaimer
1:27 Pediatric Mold Exposure: The Next Great Epidemic?
11:05 CIRS in children vs adults
16:55 Diagnosing and treating children for CIRS
18:37 Common CIRS symptoms in children: ADHD
19:34 Bed wetting or toilet training issues paThe Art and Science of CIRS Medicinest 6 years of age
23:10 Growing Pains are a sign of CIRS
26:40 Why one major symptom can indicate CIRS in children
28:14 How the Shoemaker Protocol differs for children
32:04 Kids can often skip the VIP Spray step
39:30 What is the likelihood of passing on CIRS genes to your kids?
43:08 How and when to explain CIRS to children
46:00 How to approach your child’s pediatrician about CIRS
50:30 Dr. McMahon’s upcoming podcast
51:44 CIRSx 2025 Announcement: June 5th in Tempe, AZ
54:24 The first annual CIRS Summit this December!
HELPFUL LINKS:
Dr. McMahon’s website: https://scottmcmahon.doctor/
Dr. McMahon’s book: The Art and Science of CIRS Medicine: https://a.co/d/9t1Vt7T
Ming Dooley and Scott McMahon study to explain CIRS to your doctor: https://www.survivingmold.com/Downloads/Dooley-McMahon_Final_Publication_-_3-30-2020.pdf
Ritchie Shoemaker, Scott McMahon, et al. study re: the diagnostic process for CIRS: https://www.survivingmold.com/Publications/CIRS_diagnostic_protocol_final_5_1_2018.pdf
For more information about CIRSx: https://www.cirsx.com/
For more information about CIRS Summit: https://cirs-research-foundation.org/
The CIRS Group:
Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
 
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory
Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/
Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
 
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:
Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
 
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.
 

Chronic migraines and headaches might actually be something more sinister...and treatable!

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, is almost always accompanied by headaches or migraines. If you suffer from headaches with any kind of regularity, you really should look into CIRS as a potential culprit. Why? There are actually a TON of effects CIRS causes in the body that all can make you feel brain pain. We go over all those causes and a solution in today’s episode. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer0:30 Headaches are one of the top five reported symptoms of CIRS2:00 Causes: Elevated cytokines and elevated immune response2:40 Electrolyte imbalance, aka ADH / Osmolality3:13 POTS, feeling light headed, fainting4:55 Use elevated symptoms like an exposure alarm and GTFO5:44 POTS tip: tell a flight attendant!6:38 Other causes: Hormone imbalance and fluctuations7:05 Ehlers-Danlos is also likely CIRS (and causes migraines)9:05 More stories of how Jacie and Barbara handle telling people about CIRS9:46 Another cause: Multi-Chemical Sensitivity10:45 MCAS or histamine response can cause headaches12:50 Chronic pain can also cause headaches13:09 Kids with chronic headaches14:32 Shoemaker Protocol helps all of the above!
HELPFUL LINKS:Link to content creator Jacie suspects has CIRS: https://www.youtube.com/@taylorwynnAnother content creator Jacie suspects has CIRS: https://www.youtube.com/@physicsgirl
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
 
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

STOP wasting money on urinary mycotoxin tests! Seriously!

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, is an expensive illness to treat - so why get unnecessary tests? Friggin don’t do it! Save your money. Today we tackle a very very popular, but very very pointless one: The Urinary Mycotoxin Test that supposedly tests you for mold. We will tell you why it’s pointless and feel free to send this to any doctor or practitioner that says otherwise. :)  For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
 
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer1:40 The only thing Urinary Mycotoxin Tests can tell you2:44 No difference between healthy and chronically ill results3:53 The danger of getting tested with others in your household4:39 Bloodwork is also needed, making this urine test redundant at best6:30 Urine tests do not indicate treatment: all mycotoxins need the same binder7:40 The dangers of anti-fungals (-azoles)8:47 Urine tests will not show progress in treatment accurately9:34 The one saving grace of the urinary mycotoxin test10:09 Barbara’s conspiracy theory on urine tests11:35 Tell us if you took the urinary mycotoxin test and how it went for you
HELPFUL LINKS:https://www.survivingmold.com/Publications/Urinary_mycotoxins_10_8_19_RS_published.pdf
 
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
 
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

Do you have sleep issues, hormone problems, and leaky gut? Why your MSH matters (and how to fix it)!

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, often comes with very low or “undetectable” levels of MSH, or Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone. This hormone, which naturally occurs in the body, is connected to so many systems and can consequently cause a ton of symptoms when it’s too low. Today, we tackle all the ways this can manifest in CIRS patients, and offer some tips on getting yours back to normal levels. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer0:47 What is MSH and what happens to it if you have CIRS?2:45 Shoemaker’s Biotoxin Pathway (see notes below)3:13 What does low MSH impact?3:33 Sleep issues3:40 Suppressed endorphins3:46 Leaky gut/GI issues4:05 Immune system dysregulation: co-infections4:40 MARCoNs5:57 Cortisol/ACTH dysregulation7:02 Sex hormones: DHEA, Testosterone7:41 ADH/Osmolality dysregulation: frequent urination and urgency, fainting9:56 How do you raise your MSH?10:32 Dr. Peg and Dr. Christian’s work re: Histamines and MSH12:08 Barbara’s experience with MSH coming up12:46 VIP spray’s role in MSH13:30 Additional support: Sunrises and KPV14:40 Why root cause healing is so important: brain atrophy
HELPFUL LINKS:Dr. Shoemaker’s Biotoxin Pathway: https://www.survivingmold.com/resources-for-patients/diagnosis/the-biotoxin-pathwayOur CIRSx recap, which includes the talk Dr. Peg and Dr. Christian gave re: MSH: https://youtu.be/qkL6OuiD2mQ?si=ejvPUilbB0uncXcT
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

The path to healing is rarely linear: All the ways your CIRS journey might get derailed

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, is a complicated illness with a healing journey that is rarely linear. Today, we wanted to acknowledge how tough some complex CIRS cases can be, so you know you’re not alone if your path to healing hasn’t been as straightforward as you wish it was. Also, we hope this episode gives you some ideas on what to do next if you feel like your healing has stalled. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer1:10 Setbacks from travel re-exposure2:05 COVID or Spike Protein triggering event3:00 Staying put to heal4:18 Limbic Retraining and therapy5:40 Tick-borne illness and Lyme8:32 Dental infections, root canal issues11:00 Leaky Gut, GI issues, H. Pylori, SIBO/SIFO, Candida13:23 MCAS and Histamine issues14:10 DHEA, Testosterone supplementation15:25 Thyroid function support16:35 Validation for how unfair but also normal the setbacks can be18:48 As you heal, your immune system comes back online
HELPFUL LINKS:Spike Protein Protocol episode: https://youtu.be/lBQ0xi1tHLo?si=UxJQuff6hQirCS4bLimbic Retraining episode: https://youtu.be/tTzgIsdYovA?si=D-icIBUld7uT1dMwDr. Peg interview about tick-borne illnesses and Lyme: https://youtu.be/czSjykCdOR4?si=VGnEQ58HvKebVyg1Work with Judy Cho to fix your gut: https://www.nutritionwithjudy.com/Our CIRSx recap that includes Dr. Peg and Christian Navarro-Torres’ talk on MSH and histamines: https://youtu.be/qkL6OuiD2mQ?si=zo4reKuhfJ4gOY-T
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

Can Mindfulness Support Your Recovery From Mold Exposure? Exclusive Interview with Melanie Pensak!

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
 
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, is best treated by the Shoemaker Protocol, but there are supportive therapies that can “help the process of healing along” and one such practice is mindfulness meditation. We are joined today by Melanie Pensak to talk more about this fascinating topic. Melanie is a certified speech-language pathologist and mindfulness teacher, Shoemaker Proficiency Partner, the host of The Heart of CIRS podcast, and we are excited today to have her on to explore the topic of meditation. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
 
HELPFUL LINKS:
Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meditation4cirs/
Melanie's Practice Portal Group: https://thepracticeportal.circle.so
The Heart of CIRS Podcast: https://theheartofcirs.buzzsprout.com/
#CIRSAlly Video: https://youtu.be/nZGAe_AFjQk?si=X9_GUUfmBxrkKBwt 
 
The CIRS Group: Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory
Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/
 
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:
Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
 
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

From Leviticus to the Middle Ages: Is CIRS the reason some survived the Black Plague?

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com
CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, has its roots in the BIBLE. Did you know? Today we discuss fun historic and biblical health and mold references to give us some context for why we may have evolved with these really fun, CIRSy genes. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com
TIME STAMPS:0:00 Intro and disclaimer0:50 How did we evolve to have crappy genes?1:40 Protective genes during black plague may now cause autoimmunity3:55 Genes have a purpose4:39 The Biblical mold reference7:55 The emphasis on mold to keep yourselves “clean”9:20 Our bodies want to heal
HELPFUL LINKS:The Harvard study Jacie found: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/genes-protective-during-the-black-death-may-now-be-increasing-autoimmune-disorders-202212012859The Biblical passage Jacie reads: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2014%3A33-53&version=NIV
The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/
Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/Pre-order Jacie’s book! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0
Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara
Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.