{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/68de61129688ba0b55248a09/68e526daf513ad2b817f9854?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Autistic Advocacy: Navigating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with Jess Lewis","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/68de61129688ba0b55248a09/1759848042974-bf18b5e2-bc1a-4181-a738-02e585c365f7.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this episode of<em> Autistic Advocacy</em>, Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry LPP are joined by Jess Lewis — a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming functional medicine advocate — to explore the deeply intertwined connections between Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), autism, and POTS.</p><p>This conversation blends science, systems thinking, and lived autistic experience to unpack how chronic stress, sensory overload, and a dysregulated nervous system can trigger and worsen MCAS symptoms — and what we can do about it.</p><p><br></p><p>🎧 What You’ll Learn</p><ul><li>How sensory overload, chronic masking, and autistic nervous system differences can contribute to MCAS.</li><li>Why mold exposure and infections like COVID often trigger mast cell activation in neurodivergent bodies.</li><li>The overlap between MCAS, autism, and POTS — and why these conditions often coexist.</li><li>How to advocate for yourself in medical settings, even in the face of dismissal or gaslighting.</li><li>Practical strategies for mast cell stabilization, including calming protocols and low-histamine diets.</li><li>How functional medicine offers a holistic, neurodivergent-affirming approach to managing complex chronic illness.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>🎤 Featured Guest: Jess Lewis</p><p>Jess Lewis (she/they) is a former Chief Technology Officer turned MCAS researcher, functional medicine advocate, and founder of the Mast Cell Support community. After reversing a severe case of MCAS triggered by mold exposure and COVID-19, Jess now supports others through an evidence-based, neurodivergent-affirming approach rooted in functional medicine and trauma-informed care.</p><p><br></p><p>🔗 Follow Jess:</p><p>Threads, Instagram, Substack → @jesslewis</p><p>💻 Website → <a href=\"https://jesslewis.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">jesslewis.com</a></p><p>🤝 Community → <a href=\"https://mastcellsupport.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">mastcellsupport.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Resources:</p><p>MCAS-Friendly Food Guide: <a href=\"https://subscribepage.io/MCASfoodlist\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Food Guide Pharmacy – subscribepage.io/MCASfoodlist</a></p><p>🌱 What Is Quercetin? Learn more about Quercetin, a plant flavonoid known for its natural antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing properties, often used as part of MCAS and allergy support.📚 <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercetin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Quercetin on Wikipedia</a></p><p><br></p><p>Related Episodes:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/episode-14-autistic-medical-needs\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Autistic Medical Needs</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/autistic-podcast-meat-body-maintenance\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Meat Body Maintenance</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/autistic-medical-needs-part-2-episode\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Autistic Medical Needs, Part 2</a></p><p><br></p><p>🌟 Connect With Us</p><p>📱 Follow us on <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/autisticculturepodcast/?next=%2F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram</a></p><p>🎧 Find us on <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-autistic-culture-podcast/id1653171456\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Podcasts</a> and <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/6wyddJdKhPr0b74563fsFl?si=44b458376d0947b7\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify</a></p><p>🛍️Our Autism-affirming <a href=\"https://store.dftba.com/collections/the-autistic-culture-podcast?srsltid=AfmBOooZpStgFz-IgohwbyvOoZq5KAnWMIEneY9MEQPJcYf1AF5sN5Y_\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">merch shop</a></p><p>🌐 Learn more at<a href=\"http://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> www.autisticculturepodcast.com</a></p>","author_name":"Autistic Culture Institute"}