ABSTRACT
Detoxification is a process that occurs at the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Cleansing, or purification, transforms the body and spirit and eliminates waste (toxins that impair physical organ function and thus affect mental well-being and cognitive function). Trauma is toxic to the whole person; when fully understood, a toxin goes beyond the metaphor used about “toxic relationships.” Stress creates inflammation and metabolic by-products. Many people are exposed to chemical and biological toxins while being traumatized. War, natural disasters, genocide, or the consumption of substances such as alcohol and sugar are all toxic, and these toxins affect brain function. Furthermore, poor nutrition contributes to the buildup of toxins in the body as a natural by-product of daily life, suggesting that everyone can benefit from engaging in detoxification strategies and the activities that support detoxification.
