Articles
Prevalence of mast cell activation disorders and hereditary alpha tryptasemia among patients with postural orthostatic tacycardia syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A systematic review
Matthew Farley, Ricardo J. Estrada-Medisabel, Emily A. Gansert, Dayne Voelker, Lisa A. Marks, Alexei Gonzalez-Estrada (2025). This article systematically reviews the prevalence of mast cell activation disorders (MCADs) and hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HAT) in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). It finds that no studies that met strict diagnostic criteria confirm a clear association. Despite anecdotal reports and individual studies suggesting potential overlap between these conditions, most existing research lacked validated diagnostic standards and consistency. The article concludes that more rigorous, well-designed studies are needed to determine whether a true clinical relationship exists among POTS, EDS, MCADs, and HAT.
Prevalence and treatment response of neuropsychiatric disorders in mast cell activation syndrome
Leonard B. Weinstock , Lawrence B. Afrin, Angela M. Reierson, Jill Brook, Svetlana Blitshteyn, Gillian Ehrlich, Jill R. Schofield, Laurence Kinsella, David Kaufman, Tania Dempsey, Gerhard J. Molderings (2025). This article investigates the prevalence of a variety of neuropsychiatric manifestations in MCAS patients in comparison to healthy controls. It finds that MCAS patients have high rates of self-reported neuropsychiatric disorders and symptoms compared to healthy age-matched controls. The study suggests that MCAS subjects may see improvement in comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders using MCAS-targeted therapies, and that genetic predisposition, life experience and mast cell mediators determine which neuropsychiatric conditions have potential to develop.
Seated Pilates Guide
This Seated Pilates guide has been designed especially for those living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Leanne is a Pain-Free Movement Specialist and Pilates Teacher with lived experience of multiple chronic illnesses. To use this guide, you might like to pick out an exercise, try it, see how you feel and then if you have no adverse effects try another.
Speaking to Your GP: Language and Tips for Effective Communication
This guide has been created to help you communicate more confidently and effectively with your GP. It offers practical language suggestions that can help you explain your symptoms, request support, and build a more collaborative relationship, whether you have a confirmed diagnosis or are still seeking answers.
Gratitude
PowerPoint Slides from Deborah Bircham from Live Well with Chronic Illness webinar 'Gratitude' exploring what is Gratitude, and how can it help us.
Living Well in the Prescence of MCAS- Ideas from Clinical Psychology to help Navigate the Storm of MCAS
PowerPoint Slides from Dr. Ashlyn Firkins webinar 'Living Well in the Prescence of MCAS- Ideas from Clinical Psychology to help Navigate the Storm of MCAS'.
Understanding Mast Cells, Autoimmune Disorders and Comorbidity
PowerPoint slides from Roselle O'Brien's talk 'Understanding Mast Cells, Autoimmune Disorders and Comorbidities'.
Navigating Diagnosis: Support and Guidance for the MCAS Community
This guide is designed to support individuals in the MCAS community who are navigating the challenges of seeking a diagnosis.
MCAS and Related Conditions - Special Consideration for Anaesthesia Aurgery with Dr. Anton Krige
PowerPoint slides from our recent webinar hosted by Dr Anton Krige, which explores the considerations required for surgery and anaesthesia with MCAS and related conditions.
Gratitude Handout
Use this journal however feels right for you. There’s no pressure to write every day or find something profound. Some days, it might be a kind word from a friend, a moment of peace, or simply managing to eat a safe meal. These moments matter. You matter.
Potato lectin activates basophils and mast cells of atopic subjects by its interaction with core chitobiose of cell-bound non-specific immunoglobulin E
S. N. Pramod, Y. P. Venkatesh and P. A. Mahesh (2007). This study addresses the role of potato lectin (STA) in activating mast cells and basophils through non-specific binding to IgE and FcεR receptors. It studies the effect of STA on atopic and non-atopic subjects, and finds that it may cause non-allergic hypersensitivity in some atopic individuals, despite not being a ‘true allergen’. Therefore, it suggests that lectins in foods like potatoes and tomatoes may contribute to symptoms of allergic reactions (e.g. asthma) in STA-sensitive individuals.
Retrain Your Brain, Retrain Your Mast Cells
PowerPoint slides from Roselle O'Brien's talk 'Retrain Your Brain, Retrain Your Mast Cells'. In this Roselle explores what retraining our cells, especially mast cells, and retraining our brains might mean when it comes to mast cell activation reactions and our strategies to support brain health and body health when managing mast cell activation reactions. Watch the recording on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSkEErXsQoc
Foods and Inflammation
PowerPoint slides from Deborah Bircham from live Well with Chronic Illness webinar 'Foods and Infammation'. In this talk, we will be exploring some of the foods that can provoke inflammation and some of the foods that can help reduce it, and how we can use these foods to help us with MCAS.
Dysautonomia
PowerPoint slides from Roselle O Brien's webinar on 'Dysautonomia', an umbrella term used to classify multiple disorders in which the autonomic nervous system isn't working properly.
Your Safe Haven at Home
PowerPoint slides from Roselle O Brien's webinar on 'Your Safe Haven at Home' exploring the realities of "safe haven" in the mast cell world, what it means, what it entails, crucial elements---and why it's so essential. Add to the tools in your ever-growing toolbox of health supports with insights and strategies for creating your safe haven.
MCAS and Environmental Pollution the Toxic Truth
PowerPoint slides from Deborah Bircham from Live Well with Chronic Illness' webinar on 'MCAS and Environmental Pollution the Toxic Truth' exploring the connection between MCAS and environmental toxins.
What is detoxing and how might it help with MCAS?
PowerPoint slides from Deborah Bircham from Live Well with Chronic Illness' webinar on 'What is detoxing and how might it help with MCAS?'. Learn tips and tricks to reduce toxins in your body and the environment.
Stress and Mast Cells
PowerPoint slides from Roselle O Brien's webinar on 'Stress and Mast Cells' exploring how stress impacts us physically in our bodies, the role it plays with mast cells and in mast cell activation, and some strategies for managing stress, the stressors in our lives, and mast cell activation reactions that can be brought on by stress.
Pillars of Health
PowerPoint slides from Deborah Bircham from Live Well with Chronic Illness's webinar 'Pillars of Health' exploring how these ‘pillars of health’ can improve the situation for any health condition. Deborah will share her unique ‘Health Discovery Framework’ with us, which she uses with her own clients.
The Neuroscience of Mindfulness
PowerPoint slides from Deborah Bircham from Live well with chronic illness's webinar 'The Neuroscience of Mindfulness' exploring the neuroscience of how Mindfulness works, and how everyone can develop their own unique mindfulness practice to support them to manage difficulty and feel better—EVEN if you struggle to sit still, switch off and relax!
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