Bringing Invisible Symptoms to Light

Understanding CIRS

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Invisible Symptoms, Real Struggles

Imagine waking up already exhausted—after another night of broken, restless sleep.
Struggling with memory, focus, mood swings... experiencing pain, anxiety, digestive issues... and hearing again and again:
“Your labs look fine.”
“There’s no obvious cause.”
“Maybe it’s just stress.”

This is the reality for many living with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and environmental sensitivities.

The truth?
These conditions are real. They’re measurable.
And they affect millions.

You're Not Alone— And You’re Not Imagining It

  • 24% of the population may carry a genetic susceptibility that makes them vulnerable to biotoxins.

  • Over 50% of U.S. buildings have water damage that can harbor mold and microbial overgrowth.

  • 75% of patients with persistent, unexplained symptoms report meaningful improvement when environmental triggers are identified and addressed.

These numbers tell a powerful story:
Environmental illness is real. It’s common. And it’s treatable.

What is CIRS?

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex, multi-system condition triggered by exposure to environmental biotoxins—most commonly from water-damaged buildings.

When certain individuals are exposed to these biotoxins, their immune system becomes stuck in overdrive, leading to chronic inflammation and widespread symptoms across multiple body systems.

Common Triggers

  • Mold & mycotoxins

  • Actinomyces (bacteria often found in dust)

  • Endotoxins from gram-negative bacteria

  • Lyme disease & co-infections

  • Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

  • Environmental toxins & EMFs

What CIRS Can Feel Like

CIRS doesn’t show up as just one thing—it often looks like a confusing blend of symptoms:

  • Persistent fatigue & energy crashes

  • Brain fog, poor memory, or trouble concentrating

  • Unexplained muscle and joint pain

  • Mood changes, anxiety, or depression

  • Digestive imbalances & food sensitivities

  • Frequent headaches or sinus issues

  • Sleep disturbances or unrefreshing rest


Many people are misdiagnosed

or left in limbo—told they might have:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Autoimmune disorders

  • Depression or early-onset dementia

  • Or simply “nothing” wrong

Less Common, But Very Real Symptoms

Everyone’s experience with CIRS is different. In addition to more commonly known symptoms, some people experience:

  • “Brain on fire” sensations (burning, swelling, or intense head pressure)

  • Ice-pick headaches or sudden, stabbing cranial pain

  • Static electrical shocks or strange sensitivity to electronics

  • Crawling or tingling skin sensations

  • Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smell

  • Feeling “wired and tired” at the same time—exhausted but unable to shut down

  • Word-finding issues, mix-ups in speech, or difficulty reading

  • Unexplained dizziness or visual distortions

Even the symptoms that feel strange or isolated are part of a larger picture—one that can be understood, and changed. These patterns matter. They tell a story—and they can guide your next steps.

Neurological Distress: When the Brain Feels on Fire

For many people navigating CIRS, the neurological symptoms can be some of the most confusing—and the most distressing.

You may have felt a deep pressure behind your eyes... a burning in your brain... sudden sharp, “ice-pick” headaches… or an unsettling, electric overstimulation that won’t seem to quiet down. For some, it’s like static in the head. For others, a sense of disconnection from language, focus, or even self.

Some describe it simply as: “My brain is on fire.”

This is more than brain fog. It’s neuroinflammation—a direct result of your immune system’s response to hidden biotoxins. And while it’s intense, often overwhelming, and deeply real…

It’s also often reversible.

With the right support and a commitment to healing, these symptoms can improve—sometimes dramatically. We’ve seen minds clear. Energy return. Speech, memory, and clarity restored.

This isn’t about "coping." It’s about recovering.

So if your brain feels wired, inflamed, or shut down—it isn’t just in your head. It’s in your biology. And biology can change.

Your body isn’t broken. It’s responding. And it’s capable of healing.

How Did We Get Here?

Our modern environments expose us to stressors our bodies were never designed to handle:

  • Poorly ventilated homes & offices

  • Hidden mold and bacterial overgrowth

  • Chemical pollutants & VOCs

  • Persistent electromagnetic fields (EMFs)

  • Lack of awareness in conventional medicine

When these exposures layer on top of genetic vulnerability, trauma history, or immune system dysregulation—
the result can be chronic, invisible illness.

The Turning Point: Biomarker Testing:

For years, environmental sensitivities were misunderstood or dismissed.

But thanks to groundbreaking work by researchers like Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, we now have measurable biomarkers that validate what so many patients have long known: This is real.

Key Tests Used in Diagnosing CIRS:

  • C4a – Indicates immune activation and inflammation triggered by biotoxins

  • TGF-beta1 – Reflects immune dysregulation and chronic inflammatory signaling

  • MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone) – A marker tied to energy, sleep, immune balance, and pain

  • MARCoNS nasal swab – Identifies antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the sinuses, which can prolong symptoms

These labs bring clarity to what often feels confusing—offering a map, not just a name.

Real Hope. Real Recovery.

Yes, healing is possible.
And it starts by addressing the root—not just the symptoms.

Core Pillars of CIRS Recovery:

  • Environmental Remediation

    Remove the ongoing exposure.
    Mold, mycotoxins, actinomyces, and endotoxins must be identified and addressed in your living space.

  • Detoxification Support

    Use gentle binders, antioxidants, and nutrients to support the safe removal of stored toxins.

  • Immune System Rebalancing

    Address lingering infections, reduce inflammation, and use targeted supplements or medications to restore immune function.

  • Nervous System Regulation

    Trauma, stress, and limbic system overload can sustain inflammation. Mind-body tools, breathwork, and nervous system retraining are helpful in long-term healing.

Together Toward A Healthier Future

Whether you're newly exploring CIRS or you’ve been navigating this journey for years— your story matters.

By understanding and honoring environmental sensitivities, we can:

  • Raise awareness

  • Shorten the time to diagnosis

  • Create safer living and working spaces

  • Build a more informed and compassionate medical system

  • Support a future that protects the body and the planet

You Are Not Your Diagnosis

You are not defined by your symptoms.
You’re not too sensitive.
And you’re never alone in this.

There is a path forward—grounded in science, guided by self-trust, and made possible through awareness, action, and support.