If you plan to detox your body, you may feel low as your body gets rid of toxins. Detox feels like your body is entirely normal. And it does not mean that you are becoming sicker. It’s a good sign when you’re experiencing these symptoms. It means that the program is successful and that the body is working to reach a new level of health.
What Is A Detox?
First, let’s describe what detox is. According to a study, detox diets are famous dieting methods that promote health and well-being by facilitating toxin removal and weight loss. A detox diet’s main goal is to exclude foods from the diet, usually unhealthy ones, and focus on a limited amount of high-value nutrients. Caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugar are just a few of the items that these detoxes aim to eliminate from your everyday life. By eliminating these toxins that have built up from our lifestyle and diet, it will help you to feel healthier and more energized. Other people also undertake a detox to lose weight with a specific regime of often liquids, including juices, soups, and teas.
Why Detox?
A detox diet has many advantages, ranging from reducing weight and increasing energy levels to enhancing the internal organs and preventing chronic disease. It’s similar to spring cleaning, except you’ll be performing a thorough cleansing of your body rather than your home.
Removing Toxic Substances From The Body:
- Reduces blood pressure
- Improves liver function
- Helps ease brain fog
- Improves mood
It can also help treat rashes and other skin disorders, clear out inflammatory fluids, and prevent a wide range of illnesses.
What Does A Detox Feel Like In Your Body And Brain?
Using any substance for a long period can have a profound impact on the body and the brain. The substance can change the way your brain works and will have serious damage to your wellbeing. When preparing to begin it, it is important to understand how detox feels like in your body during the process.
What Does A Detox Feel Like In Your Brain?
When a person is actively abusing a substance, the brain begins to change as it responds to the presence of the substance. The brain began to depend on the substance to produce dopamine as it adapts. The brain actually stops producing it after a while.
As the substance is removed, serotonin and dopamine levels drop rapidly. During detox, the brain produces an excess of glutamate. All of these chemical changes cause detox symptoms as the brain attempts to stabilize. Among the symptoms associated with the brain are:
- Feeling anxious
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Sleep issues
- Mental confusion
- Feeling restless
- Hallucinations
- Feeling depressed
- Mood swings
What Does A Detox Feel Like In Your Body?
The body will begin to show signs of distress as it purges the substance from its system. During the detox process, the body’s systems will be in chaos while it attempts to adjust. Some physical withdrawal signs may include:
- Excessive shaking
- Hand tremors
- Sweating
- Tearing of the eyes
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle and joint pain
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
What Is A Medical Detox?
During the detox process, your vital signs will be carefully monitored for any signs of illness. The unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can be controlled to some extent by meds provided by the detox team. They provide medications to treat symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, headache, and fever. Drugs including Valium and Librium are used during detox. They can reduce anxiety attacks, prevent seizures, and help sleep.
MAT can be begun late in the detox window for some people. These drugs can assist with withdrawal effects and cravings, lowering the chances of relapse.
During detox, there is also mental health support available. This is important because some people give up on detox when the symptoms become intolerable. The detox support team can encourage the person to keep moving forward. This kind of support can help a person stay with detox till the end.
What To Expect During Detox?
The Detox Experience Varies Greatly Depending On The Following Factors:
- Which substance is being abused, as each has its own set of symptoms
- The length of the substance abuse history and the amount consumed regularly
- Age and general health status
- If a mental health condition is present
You will go through three distinct stages during detox. Symptoms usually begin within hours of the last dose or drink and peak on days 2-3 before subsiding. Detox is usually done within a week. The drug should be gradually tapered off over two weeks in the case of a benzo detox.
Alcohol Detox
Detoxing from alcohol can be harmful. This is due to a relatively rare condition called delirium tremens, which can be fatal. Detox signs and timelines will vary depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder (AUD):
The Detox Procedure for Milder aud Follows This Timeline:
- Symptoms occur about 6 hours after you stop drinking.
- Sweating, upset stomach, and possibly vomiting, shaking, anxiety, increased heart rate, and headache are all possible symptoms.
- The symptoms peak between 12 and 24 hours.
- The detox period lasts between 24 and 72 hours.
The Following Timeline Describes The Detox Phase for Medium To Moderate Aud:
- Symptoms appear 2-8 hours after stopping alcohol use.
- High blood pressure, mental confusion, fever, insomnia, irritability, disorientation, anxiety, hallucinations, memory problems, tremors, and paranoid thinking, are likely to occur.
- DTs may occur on days 3-4, which would be a medical emergency. Severe disorientation, anxiety, hallucinations, and seizures are among the symptoms.
- The detox period will last approximately one week. If the DTs happens, the symptoms will last for two weeks.
Opiate Detox
Opiate detox starts with the start of withdrawal symptoms 6-12 hours after the last dose of the drug. Symptoms peak between 24-48 hours and then slowly fade. Opiate detox usually takes 5-7 days. Long-term effects may also linger on. This is known as a post-withdrawal syndrome. Among the symptoms of detoxification are:
- Fever
- Chills
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Teary eyes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Restlessness
- Intense drug cravings
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
Coping with The Symptoms Of Detox
Below Are Some Coping Mechanisms That Will Help You Deal With The Effects Of The Healing Crisis:
- Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking plenty of liquids, especially freshwater, will help remove toxins from your body. It is best to drink bottled water rather than tap water. Make an effort to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. If you are tired or lethargic, this is your body’s way of telling you that you need to rest.
- Use Herbs, Herbal Supplements & Other Herbal Remedies
Taking herbal teas, as well as adding fresh herbs to soups and casseroles, will not only speed up the body’s cleansing process but will also strengthen your immune system. Herbs are naturally diuretic, helping the body wash out waste products more quickly by urinating more often. They also support the lymphatic system detoxify while also strengthening the liver.
- Take Hot Showers
Taking hot showers during a detox can be greatly useful. Make the water as hot as your body can tolerate and scrub your skin well. Hot showers can help in the removal of toxins through the skin.
- Relax and Meditate
Meditation will help you better cope with the feelings and mood changes you may experience during the healing crisis. Engage in mind-body interventions such as yoga, qigong, and tai chi to relax the muscles and stimulate organ function. By doing so, you allow your body to release toxins while naturally suffering the symptoms of detox.
The Bottom Line
In this article, you have learned what does a detox feel like in your body. It’s important to remember that a healing crisis is only temporary and that you’re on the path to better health. Even though a healing crisis is uncomfortable, it is a good signal that the body is trying to heal itself and usually lasts between 2 and 5 days.
