You might not think choosing a non toxic mattress would be so important for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

But your mattress may be contributing to your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome by exposing you to hidden mast cell triggers while you are sleeping! 

Many mattresses are extremely toxic! Exposure to these toxins can stimulate mast cell activation.  

Additionally, an unsupportive mattress may be making some of your symptoms even worse.  

Your mattress may not be giving you the postural support you need. That can lead to tossing and turning all night long. That isn’t restful at all! 

And it could be adding to your chronic pain. Chronic pain and chronic fatigue are common with Mast cell Activation Syndrome. 

Plus, pain and stress can both stimulate the mast cells. 

About 80% of clients at the Mast Cell 360 clinic have sleep problems, including insomnia. 

For years, I did, too. I dreaded bedtime. 

I’d toss and turn for 3-4 hours each night. 

When I could sleep, it wasn’t deep sleep. 

I was always in pain, too. 

I’d had numerous back, neck, and spine injuries that led to chronic pain.  

And I was suffering from Ehlers Danlos (EDS) hypermobility.  

I always felt pain and pressure on my joints, no matter how I tried to reposition my body. 

After watching me go downhill for 9 months, my functional medicine doctor emphasized: 

“Beth, you can’t heal without sleeping. If you don’t get some sleep, this is just going to keep spiraling out of control.” 

It was a wake-up call. 

I started looking at how I could better support my sleep health. 

Why is rest so critical, especially if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome? And how can your mattress really make a difference? 

Why A Supportive Non Toxic Mattress Is Important if You Have MCAS 

Sleep is critical for your body to heal. 

When you sleep, your normal body functions slow down.  

And all the energy that was being used to take in information or digest food or do chores becomes available for growth and repair.  

There is no substitute for restorative sleep. 

However, with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, you may not be getting the quality sleep you need. 

And your mattress may be part of the reason you aren’t. 

After my doctor told me how critical it was that I get more sleep, one of the things I started looking at was my mattress. 

It was old and sagging in some areas. 

It wasn’t so extreme I could see a crater in the bed.  

But I could feel high and low spots when I laid on it.  

So, I started looking into the differences between mattresses. 

I’d had a memory foam mattress and regular innerspring mattress. After getting new mattresses I’d be quite flared for a while, but I didn’t understand at the time why.  

Now I know that most mattresses off gas some scary chemicals that trigger mast cells. Mattresses can also be a breeding ground for mold. And with mold, you’ll have mycotoxin exposure, too. That’s also going to be a mast cell trigger. 

I tried several mattresses before I found the right non toxic mattress to support my Mast Cell Activation Syndrome needs.

I hope you’ll be able to save time and money by learning from my mistakes!  

I’ll tell you more about what I learned about choosing the best mattress. 

And you’ll learn more about: 

• The importance of healing sleep for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 
• How to know if you need a new mattress 
• Hidden toxins in mattresses 
• The ugly truth about some eco friendly mattresses 
• Pros and cons of different types of mattresses 
• How to choose a healthy mattress 
• My top picks for non toxic mattresses 

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of good quality sleep for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.  

The Importance of Healing Sleep for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 

Poor quality sleep can worsen your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. 

Deep, restorative, sleep is key to healing when you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.  

But with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, you may not be getting the sleep you need. 

Click here to jump to choosing a healthy mattress!

One of the most common sleep complaints I hear is people waking up early in the morning (often between around 2-4am). 

This is the time when the histamine that built up from the day is dumped into your bloodstream to be processed by your liver.  

Histamine is stimulating. Too high levels of histamine, and other mast cell mediators, can wake you up at night. 

Toxins can worsen your sleep, too. These toxins may be toxic manmade chemicals, or they may be mycotoxins (toxins from mold). 

If you’re sleeping on a mattress that is off gassing toxic chemicals or exposing you to mycotoxins, this just adds to your toxic load.  And that can make your sleep much worse! 

Reducing your histamine load and your toxin load can help with some of your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms, including insomnia. 

Related Article: How to Do A Low Histamine Diet  

Chronic pain can also worsen your sleep.  

Does joint and muscle pain wake you up multiple times during the night? 

Every time you roll over to get comfortable, your sleep cycle is disrupted. 

When your sleep cycle is disrupted then you don’t get deep sleep. Deep sleep is when the most healing happens. 

That’s where a supportive, non toxic mattress can help.  

Better support = deeper sleep = better health. 

The right mattress could help improve your sleep health greatly. That’s a huge investment in your health! 

So, how do you know if you need a new mattress?  

Here are a few questions to see if it’s time to get a new non toxic mattress. 

Signs Your Mattress Needs to Be Replaced 

If you are dealing with any of the following, you may want to consider how a new mattress may support you better.  

Physical Symptoms 

If you have any of these physical symptoms, your mattress may be a problem: 

• Back pain in the morning  
• Allergy symptoms are worse when you get in bed or 1st thing in the morning 
• Can’t get comfortable 
• Toss and turn all night 
• Pain at your pressure points like shoulders, hips, and knees 

Conditions/ Body Changes 

If you have any of these conditions or changes in your body, you may need to consider a mattress that can support your body better.

Especially if you notice an increase in any of the physical symptoms you just read about. You may not be getting the pressure relief you need! 

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
• Chronic injuries 
• Arthritis 
• Sciatica 
• Fibromyalgia 
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 
• Hypermobility 
• Disc issues 
• Cervical instability 
• Pregnancy 
• Weight gain or loss 

Mattress Wear and Tear 

Below are signs of an old or damaged mattress. It may be time to replace your mattress if it has any of these signs.  

• Sagging areas 
• Odor 
• Wear like stains or tears 
• Squeaky or noisy  

A quick note about stains. 

Stains aren’t really a reason to replace your mattress. 

However, stains are often the result of liquid spills or bodily fluids. These types of fluids can cause the breakdown of materials found in certain mattresses. For example, liquids can cause some foams to deteriorate.  

You can help extend the life of your mattress with a good, waterproof mattress cover. 

Waterproof mattress covers (sometimes called mattress pads) are very breathable nowadays. 

And mattress covers can help keep dust mites out of your mattress. 

When it comes to replacing your mattress, there’s something else you might need to consider…mold. 

Mold and Your Mattress 

Mold can grow in mattresses. They can be a perfect breeding ground.  

If you are in a humid environment, your mattress is going to hold moisture. Moisture is one of the things molds thrive with. 

You can help with moisture by getting a waterproof mattress cover like you just read. But that’s mostly going to help with fluids on the top of your mattress. 

Your mattress can still absorb moisture from the sides and bottom. 

And if you don’t have any kind of protective covering for your mattress at all, any bodily fluids that seep into your mattress can be a potential source of food of mold growth. 

Mold can also feed on materials that break down. That might be dust or dead skin or even the materials that make up the mattress itself. 

If you’ve had mold remediated in your home, the first thing to replace is your mattress. 

Related Article: Top Tips on Environmental Mold for those with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance 

Now, what if you’ve purchased a mattress in the last couple years? Should you still be considering a new mattress? 

Replacing a “New” Mattress 

If you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, here’s why you might consider replacing your current mattress, even if it is only a few years old. 

In just a minute, you’ll read more about this. But mattresses can off gas toxic chemicals which can trigger mast cell activation. You might have heard of VOCs, volatile organic compounds. 

These VOCs can be found in mattresses. And they can stick around a long time. Years. 

So, every night, you may be breathing in these VOCs. And they may be contributing to your ongoing symptoms. 

There is another issue to consider, too.

Even if your mattress is fairly new, if you’ve been in a moldy environment, your mattress could be growing mold now. 

And it could absorb mycotoxins (toxins from mold). So even if you don’t see mold, your mattress could still be contributing to Mold Toxicity and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. 

I Needed a New Mattress! 

When I evaluated my mattress, it had most of the problems I talked about above. I needed a new mattress badly! 

I did end up getting a new mattress. In fact, I got more than one. 🙁 

I tried a few different mattresses hoping that would help me sleep better. And I wasted money on “good” mattresses that didn’t help me at all.  

Memory Foam Mattress 

First, I just got a Tempur-Pedic mattress.  

It’s one of the popular foam mattresses you are probably familiar with. It did help with my fibromyalgia pain and hot spots.  At first. 

However, after a couple years of owning it, I started having lower back pain. 

And it was challenging dealing with temperature changes. In the cold winter, the mattress was rock hard and took a long time to warm up.  

I felt like the heat was being sucked right out of me. I had trouble falling asleep because I was so cold. 

But that wasn’t the only problem.  

I started having terrible headaches. I’d wake up feeling fuzzy headed and my eyes were often irritated. 

I now realize it must have been the VOCs off gassing. As well as the other toxic chemicals that were used to treat the bed to make it flame retardant.  

But I didn’t realize these symptoms directly related to the mattress at that time. 

At some point, I figured I might need to try a different type of mattress just to deal with the back pain, though. 

So, I tried out a traditional mattress.  

Innerspring Mattress 

This is your standard Sealy or Stearns and Foster type of mattress. Nowadays these are often hybrid models. That means they are part innerspring and part foam.  

I chose one made by the brand, Sealy. And it was medium-firm so I thought it would be a good blend of soft comfort and support. 

But it did nothing to help my pain.  

And my Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms were getting worse. Again, I would realize later that this was likely due to all the toxic chemicals that were off gassing from the mattress.

But I didn’t make the connection at the time. 

Natural Mattress 

Then I tried a mattress made of natural materials like wool.  

My experience was that it was too firm. Firm mattresses can be supportive. But they can also put a lot of pressure on your body, like your shoulders and hips. 

And I’d later find out that natural materials are more susceptible to mold growth. 

So, I wasn’t getting chemical off gassing from that mattress. But I wasn’t getting any relief from my pain. 

Here’s what I learned. This is particularly important if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. But it really can apply to anyone who wants better sleep. 

It’s important to find a mattress that:  

• Supports your body well while you sleep  
• Doesn’t add to your toxic load 

If one of those two things is missing, it can lead to sleep issues. 

Later, I’ll share more about the different types of mattresses on the market. Including which ones offer the best support. That’s very important if you have chronic pain!

But let’s look more at toxins next. Starting with what toxins you might be breathing in every night.

Hidden Toxins in Mattresses  

You’d think all mattresses would be designed to be non toxic mattresses.  

After all, you spend 1/3 of your life asleep in bed! That means for 1/3 of your life, you are breathing in whatever smells or toxins your mattress gives off.  

Unfortunately, most mattress companies are not concerned with avoiding harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process. 

And more unfortunately, if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, these toxins in your mattress may be triggering your mast cells. 

That means your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms may be made even worse by sleeping on a toxic mattress. 

And a common symptom of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome? Sleep issues like insomnia. 

So, among other things, your mattress may be contributing to your insomnia!  

Some of the toxins found in mattresses are from chemical flame retardants. 

Read more about that next. 

Flame Retardant Chemicals in Mattresses 

In the United States, mattresses must meet certain guidelines regarding fire safety. 

These standards are meant to help prevent fire from igniting and slow down the burn and intensity of fire if it does catch. 

Common reasons a mattress would catch on fire would be smoking in bed, having a candle near the bed, or having a space heater or other hot device too close to the bedding. 

These regulations are meant to help keep you safe by giving you time to put out the fire or get out of the house. 

However, one of the easiest ways to make mattresses flame retardant is by treating them with flame retardant chemicals. Unfortunately, some of these chemicals are extremely toxic. 

These chemicals may slow a fire down. But they may be making the air more toxic and potentially fatal when a fire does occur. Researchers are looking further into this and other safer options. 

Chemical flame retardants used to treat mattresses can be toxic for anyone. But if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, these toxins add to your mast cell activation, too. 

The good news is that mattresses can meet these safety guidelines without the use of these harmful chemicals.  

They can do this by using natural materials that don’t ignite easily. Wool, silica, and natural latex are 3 of the most popular mattress materials for this.   

However, many mattress companies are still using these toxic chemicals to treat mattresses.  

Here’s a look at some of the most common flame retardants and the health risks they pose. 

Firemaster 550:

• Shown to be an endocrine disruptor 

Formaldehyde:  

• May worsen autoimmune disease 
• Shrinks the thyroid, causing decreased T3 and T4 thyroid hormones 
• Linked to cancer 
• May contribute to type 2 diabetes  

Chlorinated tris (TDCPP):  

• May contribute to hormone related problems 
• May increase risk for some cancers 

Boric Acid:

• May cause hormone issues 

Antimony Trioxide:

• Nausea/vomiting 
• Weakness or muscle pain 
• Lung problems 
• Cancer 
• Arrhythmias 
• Heart damage 

Vinylidene Chloride may cause:

• Damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs 
• Problems with the nervous system 
• Convulsions and spasms 
• Passing out 

All these flame retardant chemical treatments can be mast cell triggers.  

That means you aren’t really getting healing sleep.

Sleeping on a toxic mattress might be activating your mast cells rather than calming them. 

But fire retardants aren’t the only toxins you might find in your mattress.  

Next, let’s look at other chemical toxins found in specific types of mattresses…and the health risks that may be associated with them. 

Other Hidden Toxins 

Flame retardants are just some of the harmful chemicals you might find in a mattress.  

Harmful chemicals are used in mattresses for different reasons.  

They can be used either to: 

• Manufacture materials including latex or foam 
• Treat textiles (even natural materials like cotton or wool) 
• Assemble mattresses (adhesives) 

Chemicals like these are added to increase the comfort and durability of the material.  

But this comfort and durability come at a cost.  

Have you heard the term “off gassing”? It refers to the emission of airborne chemicals called VOCs (volatile organic compounds). 

Read more about those next. 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) 

VOCs are one of the top 10 toxins in your home to watch out for and avoid. 

They are found in everything from carpet to paint to furniture…including mattresses. 

The EPA states that VOCs can stay in the air long after the initial exposure. 

In addition to being mast cell triggers, some of the common symptoms and conditions related to VOCs are: 

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation 
• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage
• And it’s suspected to cause cancer in humans 

Related Article: How To Remove VOCs from the Air 

Ideally, you want a non toxic mattress considered low VOC or even zero VOC (zVOC).  

Take a look next at some of the chemical toxins that may be off gassing from your mattress. They may be worsening your mast cell flares and contributing to other health conditions. 

Toxic Chemicals Found in Mattresses 

Be aware of these toxic chemicals found in some mattresses. 

• Chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) – used to make synthetic latex, used as a flame retardant 
• Diphenyl diisocyanate – used in natural and synthetic latex 
• Formaldehyde – used in memory foam or gel foam mattresses, used as an adhesive and flame retardant 
• Methylenedianiline (MDA) – used to make polyurethane foams 
• Methyl chloride/Chloromethane – used in making foam and other lightweight plastics. 
• Isocyanate compounds (benzene, acetone, ethylene oxide) – used to manufacture foam and foam-based products 
• Naphthalene – a pesticide used to treat materials 

These chemicals have been associated with health conditions ranging from basic sleep issues to cancer. 

Here are symptoms that have been associated with the various toxic chemicals commonly found in mattresses: 

• Sleep issues 
• Fatigue 
• Inflammation 
• Immune system problems 
• Autoimmune disease 
• Liver and kidney problems 
• Respiratory issues like asthma and other breathing problems 
• Abnormalities in the nervous, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems 
• Thyroid issues and other hormone related issues 
• Skin issues including hives and rashes 
• Eye irritation 
• Blurred vision 
• Hair loss (including alopecia) 
• Increased risk of cancer 
• Dizziness 
• Numbness 
• Tremors 
• Confusion  
• Convulsions 
• Nausea or vomiting 

Now, you may be thinking that your mattress is “All-Natural” or “Green,” so it is made safe.  

Not necessarily. Read more about a practice called greenwashing next.  

Greenwashing of “Non Toxic Mattresses” 

Greenwashing is when an industry makes a product seem healthier than it is.  

Anything, including healthy mattresses, might be marketed as natural, safe, or eco friendly.  

But did you know that no testing is required to make those claims? And sometimes, no certification is needed, either. 

Words or phrases used in marketing may include: 

• Uses organic materials 
• Natural or uses natural materials 
• Green energy 
• Eco friendly 
• Made from recycled materials 
• Made using wind energy 
• Lower carbon footprint 
• Sustainable 
• Carbon neutral 

The list goes on.  

But it’s important to look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on a few key words. 

For example, a mattress may be made using green energy. But it could still contain toxic materials.  

Or a company may say its product uses organic materials.  

Getting organic certifications can be difficult.  

However, this is where you need to pay attention to language. An organic product is different than a product that “uses organic materials”.  

“Uses organic materials” doesn’t specify if all the materials used are organic. It’s only saying that organic materials were used. They may have been used alongside conventional materials, too. Including toxic materials.  

It’s a trick to get you to think the finished product is all organic. 

In other words, these claims are for the purpose of selling the product. 

It often falls to you to read between the lines.   

So, how do you choose a truly healthy mattress?  

Let me save you some time! I’ve already done a lot of research in finding what non toxic mattresses are best for those of us with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

Choosing a Healthy, Non Toxic Mattress 

Here’s a quick safety and quality check list you can reference at any time. 

Click here to jump to choosing a healthy mattress!

Mattress Safety and Quality Checklist 

You can use this to check out any mattress you’re looking at.

This covers what you want to look for in a non toxic mattress. It also has some points to consider for financing and customer support. 

1. Nontoxic with zero off gassing 

2. Excellent postural body support to help alleviate chronic back pain, tossing and turning, and disrupted sleep cycle 

3. Hypoallergenic  

4. Firm and soft at the same time for postural support and pressure point relief 

5. Temperature control – sleeps cool, not hot to reduce night sweats

6. Tested durability so it won’t break down with heat, moisture, oxygen, or pressure 

7. Responsive customer support 

8. Comprehensive warranty  

9. Sleep trial with at least 60-day return policy – no questions asked 

10. Available financing options 

11. Long term value – Is a higher up-front cost going to end up being a better value because you don’t have to replace the mattress frequently? 

I wasted money on 3 mattresses that didn’t work out for me.  

And I lost a lot of sleep from tossing and turning on a mattress that did absolutely nothing to help my pain. 

I can’t even calculate how much time and energy went into being ill from the off gassing. 

But you don’t have to go through all this, too. 

I’ve already done the research for you. After all the failed mattresses, I still needed one that wasn’t going to hurt my body. And one that wasn’t going to trigger my mast cells. 

So, before I found the one I currently use and love, I did some serious investigating. 

Next read about the pros and cons of the different types of mattresses. And I’ll tell you which one I chose and why. 

I’ve also got another option for you to consider. It’s one that a trusted colleague of mine is having a lot of success with. 

Click here to jump to choosing a healthy mattress!

Pros and Cons of Types of Mattresses on the Market   

Spring mattresses, latex mattresses, memory foam mattresses, gel mattresses…where do you even start?  

And to make things more complicated, many mattresses nowadays are hybrid mattresses. That means they may use more than one type of technology to deliver a product. 

I’ll give you a basic description of each. And then give some pros and cons…including which ones could worsen Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and which ones offer the best postural support. 

Let’s start with traditional spring mattresses. 

Spring Mattresses 

This is the kind of mattress your grandparents or parents likely had. They’ve been used since the 1930s. 

They have multiple metal springs which provide a support layer underneath padding made from materials that vary widely.

The soft top can be made from any combination of foam, cotton, wool, and other various upholstery materials.  

They tend to be on the firm to medium firm side. 

Pros: 

• Affordable 
• Widely available 
• Initially comfortable for many people 

Cons: 

• Known to sag over time 
• Not long-lasting (My “old” mattress was under 2 years old when I noticed it started to sag) 
• Springs can be noisy and this can interrupt your sleep when you or your partner moves 
• Does not prevent transfer of movement – every time your partner rolls over, you’ll know it 
• Innersprings can be interconnected steel coils that pick up very high EMF levels, especially if the room has reverse polarity which amplifies EMFs (note: get your wiring checked out by a professional electrician if you do suspect reverse polarity) 
• Possible chemical toxins off gassing 

Additionally, my own experience was that when I approached the manufacturer about my warranty after only 2 years, they were not ethical and did not want to honor that warranty. 

Let’s look at natural latex mattresses next.  

Natural Latex Mattresses 

Natural latex actually is natural.

It’s made from latex from rubber trees. 

Natural latex mattress brands include Avocado Green Mattress and Saatva. Each uses a different type of latex.  

Technically, it’s really more the process of producing the latex that differs. However, the result is that Dunlop latex is denser and heavier. Talalay latex is softer and lighter.  

Pros: 

• A hypoallergenic option 
• Latex contains naturally occurring antibacterial and antifungal compounds 
• They “sleep cool” making them good for hot sleepers 
• May offer better pressure point relief than traditional mattresses 
• May offer more support for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers than a traditional mattress 
• Better at preventing motion transfer than a traditional mattress, however, some people have claimed latex is “bouncier” than foam

What does “bounce” mean? What so many people like about foam mattresses is the way they contour around your body. It offers great support. 

But if you change positions, sometimes you can feel engulfed. Like it’s a struggle to move.  

When you see that a mattress has more “bounce” it means that the material springs back from its sunken position more quickly. 

Cons: 

• They break down faster because they’re made from natural materials  
• Some (not all) may have toxic VOCs added to the natural latex 
• Tend to be heavy and difficult to move 
• May not be right for you if you have a latex allergy  

What about synthetic latex? Let’s look at that next.  

Synthetic Latex Mattresses 

Latex comes from the rubber tree.  

Latex is a milky-white liquid that can get processed to become rubber. 

During World War II, there was a rubber shortage. In fact, it was called the World War II Rubber Crisis.  

Synthetic latex mattresses were originally made because of this shortage. The use of synthetic latex for mattresses has continued. 

Pros: 

• Like natural latex, these mattresses “sleep cool” 
• Provides pressure point relief for comfort 
• Offers some help with motion transfer 
• Don’t tend to cause issues if you have a latex allergy 
• Usually less expensive than natural latex 

Cons: 

• A lot of harmful chemicals are used to manufacture synthetic latex mattresses (these will off gas) 
• Not long lasting 
• Heavy and difficult to move 

Another popular mattress trend is memory foam. Let’s look at that next.  

Memory Foam Mattresses 

You’ve probably heard of Tempur-Pedic. 

It’s the most popular brand of memory foam mattresses. It’s made of polyurethane. Polyurethane is a type of plastic material.  

You may also hear this referred to as a “viscoelastic” mattress.  

This refers to how it expands and compresses from pressure and heat from your body. It’s this quality that makes it good for body contouring. 

This material was originally made by NASA to protect air travelers in case of a crash. 

Tempur-Pedic is probably the most well known. And it’s one of the mattresses I bought. It did help with my chronic pain at first. I liked that aspect of it.  

But the chemical off gassing from these materials caused Mast Cell Activation Syndrome reactions. 

There are other memory foam mattress brands out there, too, though. And many of them are going to have the same pros and cons. 

Pros: 

• Comfortable and supportive 
• Contouring of memory foam to your body 
• Evenly distributes your weight 
• Great at preventing motion transfer 

Cons: 

• Lots of added chemicals that off gas into the air you breath  
• Not durable – materials break down over time causing these types of mattresses to lose firmness 
• Holds heat so it promotes nighttime sweating (not good for hot sleepers) 
• Holding heat can also increase tossing and turning 
• Known to sag over time 

Next, let’s look at “natural” memory foam. Have you heard of it?  

Natural Memory Foam Mattresses 

The term “natural foam” can be confusing. 

Some companies are using this term to refer to a “foam” which is really rubber. And rubber is made from latex. So, more or less, it’s a latex mattress. 

I guess foam sounds softer and more inviting. 

Some companies have a proprietary blend of plant oils mixed with petroleum oils that they use to manufacture a “latex foam.” 

Even though natural plant materials are used, you don’t always know what else is going into making this “natural memory foam.” 

So, when you see “natural memory foam” what you may really be seeing is the perfect example of greenwashing.  

Plant oils are natural. Even petroleum is natural. It’s a fossil fuel.  

But in the manufacturing process, these natural materials can be mixed with a lot of very unnatural and very toxic substances.

(But not always. It’s just important to be aware so you can ask the right questions to be sure the one you are considering really is a non toxic mattress.) 

Pros: 

• More environmentally friendly than pure petroleum based products 
• Conforms to your body 
• Evenly distributes your weight 
• Prevents the transfer of motion 

Cons: 

• May contain toxic chemicals 
• Inner core varies widely from brand to brand (may or may not support the spine, hips, and shoulders well) 
• Can sleep hot  

Lastly, let’s look at gel foam mattresses. 

Gel Foam Mattress 

Gel foam is a viscoelastic foam like memory foam. Like memory foam, it responds to pressure and heat from your body. 

What’s different is it’s infused with beads of gel.  

The gel beads are there to help with air movement inside the mattress. That means it will sleep cooler. 

But just what is gel, anyway? 

Getting an exact answer to that may be more difficult than you think. That’s because so many of the “gels” on the market are proprietary. 

Generally speaking, the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) defines gel as a “nonfluid colloidal network that is expanded throughout its whole volume by a fluid”. 

So, let’s break that down.  

Non fluid means it isn’t fluid. Fluid meaning that something doesn’t have a fixed shape. 

A colloid is, very basically speaking, a mixture in which one substance is split into small particles (sometimes microscopic) and mixed throughout a second substance. 

So, what you have here is a non fluid mixture of substances that is expanded by a fluid (something like a liquid or a gas.) 

Gel is encapsulated into gel beads. That helps keep the materials inside contained.  

That’s important because the gel inside these beads is made of materials that change states. Meaning it will change from a solid to a liquid.  

But what are those materials made of? 

That’s where the proprietary secrets close the door. 

I haven’t been able to get to the bottom of it. But that’s where testing can be really helpful. 

Even something as simple as testing a product with a VOC meter can help let you know if your mattress is off gassing VOCs. 

Here’s what I’ve seen with gel foam mattresses:    

Pros: 

• Soft and comfortable 
• Supportive of the spine 
• Prevents motion transfer 
• They sleep cool 
• They have more “bounce” than foam mattresses 

Cons: 

• May have toxic chemical additives 
• Addition of gel makes them more expensive than regular memory foam 
• Typically lasts only 5-8 years 

Now that you know more about the pros and cons of different types of mattresses, you may be wondering which is the best for someone with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. 

Remember, you want to have these two important qualities in a mattress: 

1) Good postural support 

2) Non toxic mattress

Keep reading to learn more about the bed I chose. And you’ll also read about another option that a trusted colleague of mine is using and loving, too. 

And good news…I’ve got coupon codes on both non toxic matttresses for you.  

My Top Pick for a Non Toxic Mattress 

After investigating different kinds of mattresses, I finally found one that’s been working well for me.  

I don’t wake up sore and achy. And I don’t get the headaches and fuzzy brain that I experienced with the other mattresses I’d used in the past. 

The non toxic mattress I picked is the Organix Tranquiliti™. I’ll tell you more about this next and how it differs from the other tech used in mattresses.

Organix Tranquiliti™ 

This bed is a hybrid mattress made of different non toxic layers that provide excellent support without chemical off gassing.  

What makes this material stand out from others is the use of Gel Matrix® technology. 

First, I want to say how supportive and comfortable this non toxic mattress is.  

It meets the requirements for good postural support.  

Gel Matrix® Postural Support 

This non toxic mattress is made of a posture-supporting Gel Matrix®.  

This technology has taken gel foam and gel beads to the next level.  

Intellibed’s Gel Matrix® is a hyperelastic polymer.

It’s comprised of a proprietary blend of food grade mineral oil. It is a durable, inert, and harmless material. It doesn’t contain polyurethane. 

The Gel Matrix® layer looks like a honeycomb. The honeycomb stretches and bends to support the body. So, it supports different sleeping positions. 

If you are a back sleeper, a stomach sleeper or a side sleeper, the Gel Matrix® mattress may be for you.  

The matrix is able to stretch, bend, and spring back more quickly than foam. It gives you the “bounce” but without the transfer of movement. 

That means you can reposition easily. But you aren’t going to wake up your partner every time you move. 

And when you don’t have pain that contributes to nighttime awakenings, you can get a good night’s sleep.  

I’ve had significant cranial cervical instability for years. I’ve had bulging discs and pinched nerves. 

It’s often been hard for me to get comfortable when I lay down in bed. But that isn’t the case with this non toxic mattress. 

I call it my Goldilocks mattress. It’s just right. 

It offers me great support without creating pressure points on my body.  

But it’s soft enough that it feels comfortable. No more morning back aches! 

I’ve had this non toxic mattress for about three years now. And it’s the best mattress I’ve ever had. 

And unlike some of the other gel foam mattresses out there, this one is non toxic.  

Non Toxic Mattress 

You may notice this isn’t an organic mattress. 

In part, this is because they make them with mineral oil.

It’s 100% pure and safe, food-grade mineral oil. 

While I wouldn’t drink mineral oil, it’s perfectly safe inside a mattress. It doesn’t even touch your skin.

This is because food grade mineral oil has been processed to remove impurities. And it is inert. That means it’s highly stable and chemically inactive.  

The bottom line here is that this means no off gassing of toxic chemicals. 

When I got mine, I didn’t have to air it out at all. That’s a big deal for me! 

Usually new things have to air out for 2-3 weeks before I can use them. But with my Organix Tranquiliti™, I was able to use it right away. 

You can sleep and breathe deeply. Without worrying about what you’re being exposed to. 

Testing for Toxins 

Since this is a hybrid bed, you’re probably wondering about all the other components. 

This non toxic mattress includes OEKO-TEX®, FSC, and ECO-Institut Certified Talalay Latex. 

And it has 100% CertiPUR-US certified gel-infused foam. 

These are certifications saying that the materials used have been tested for toxic chemicals. 

And, to comply with fire safety regulations, all the mattresses have a silica based fire blocker with modacrylic fiber and no bio available chemicals. It’s completely non toxic and safe! 

Some healthy lifestyle consumers have tested this mattress in their own homes with a VOC meter. They have reported that the readings they took at home were extremely low.

One consumer said that in her home, the readout of VOCs from the new mattress was between 0.07-0.08.

A VOC meter reading of 0.10 is considered excellent.

So, unlike some of the other hybrid mattresses, the materials and processes used to make this mattress yield a product with extremely low VOC readout. 

I am chemically sensitive and have had no problems whatsoever. 

In our population of folks with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome who are highly chemically sensitive, I’ve seen very few complaints.  

The complaints that I have seen (and I’ve only seen 2 out of hundreds) were from people who said they were also reacting to everything – supplements, foods, scents, heat, and more. 

I’ve been there. I know it’s awful. But there’s usually an underlying root cause like Mold Toxicity that is messing with the immune and nervous system causing all kinds of strange reactions. 

Durability 

Unlike some memory foam and gel foam mattresses, the Organix Tranquiliti™ mattress is durable. It has a warranty for up to 20 years. 

It doesn’t break down from heat, moisture, pressure, or oxygen. 

Pros and Cons Recap of Gel Matrix® 

Pros: 

• Supportive of the spine, hips, and shoulders 
• Non toxic 
• Doesn’t off gas  
• Hypoallergenic 
• Excellent warranty (20 years!) 
• Durability 
• 90-day sleep trial 
• Coils are separated and individually wrapped to prevent EMF buildup 
• Long term value  
• Financing options 

Cons: 

• Made of mineral oil so it can’t be labeled as organic 
• More expensive at first, but lasts longer 
• It must be on a solid platform or box spring. I don’t see this as a true con, but it is something to be aware of. 

Here Was What Made My Final Decision… 

My “old” mattress was only 2 years old when I had to replace it. And when I looked back, my previous mattress was only about that old when I replaced it. 

And then I tried several mattresses that made me feel even worse. 

It all added up. Literally. The cost added up. 

When I calculated what I’d spent on mattresses, the cost was about $6600 over 20 years, plus taxes and delivery/shipping. 

You can spend at least $1500 on a mattress every 5-7 years. Or you can buy 1 mattress designed and warrantied to last 20 years. This costs a few thousand less in the long run.

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t want to keep replacing my mattress. Not only was the expense adding up, but it was hard on my body.  

But, the Organix Tranquiliti™ is guaranteed to last 20 years.  

And they have a 90-day trial period. So, I was able to try it without worrying I might be wasting money on yet another mattress that wouldn’t work. 

Now, I know that having serious health issues means a lot of bills for a lot of people.  

I also know how important it is to invest in your health. 

For me, it’s always been a priority to have clean food and water. Even if that meant I had to go without in some other areas. 

And once I invested in a quality non toxic mattress, I wished I’d done it sooner. 

I know that a good, non toxic mattress is an investment. But there are payment plans available, that can help break down payments into small, manageable, monthly increments. 

I did a webinar about “How to Choose a Healthy Mattress” with Jason from Organix. Sign up here to watch it.

And if you can get a special discount, that can help, too. I’m always asking for special discounts for our community. I know it all helps! 

Organix® Coupon Code for the Mast Cell 360 Community

When I reached out to Organix asking if they could help our community, they were gracious to offer us this special deal. 

With purchase of any Organix mattress you will get: 

• 15% off your mattress order ($399.90 – $589.90 value) 
• 1 free set of sheets ($55.00 – $185.00 value) 
• 1 free mattress protector ($55.00 – $90.00 value) 
• Free shipping in US ($369 value) 
• No sales tax when buying online or over the phone (most states)

This offer is good for US and Canada (except free shipping). 

Simply call 866-647-5513 and mention the Mast Cell 360 offer or place an order here: 

>>>Click here to get 15% of your Organix mattress

Plus, you get a 90-day trial period. If you aren’t happy with the mattress for any reason, you can return it within the 90-day trial.  

And remember, they do also offer financing, which can help a lot too, if you are on a budget. 

Let’s look at another option for natural, non toxic mattresses. 

This is the one that my trusted colleague has been using. She’s also very concerned about toxin exposure. 

And like all of us, she wants comfort and support, too. 

Best Organic Mattress: Naturepedic® 

I love the Organix Tranquiliti™ I have.  

But I know you like to have options. 

That’s why I reached out and asked around to see what my peers were saying about mattresses they’ve tried. 

If you are looking for something at a lower price point than the Organix Tranquiliti™, Naturepedic® may be a good option to look into. 

Naturepedic® mattresses are made from natural, organic materials. Like organic cotton, organic wool, and organic latex.  

These have been certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). 

GOTS certified means that the materials have gone through inspection by this third-party organization. It isn’t just a greenwashing label. 

With these types of natural mattresses, there is a focus on providing a product without using toxic chemicals or toxic materials in the manufacturing process. 

This non toxic mattress doesn’t use any polyurethane foam or glue. 

And what about added chemicals for fire retardants? Nope. Their mattresses pass flame standards without any fire retardants or chemicals. This is in large part due to the nature of wool. 

And even though you may associate wool with warm winter sweaters and hats, wool has cooling properties, too!  

Organic wool wicks away moisture keeping you dry and comfortable.  

All of the mattresses from Naturepedic® are considered organic and non toxic. They’ve all met GOTS standards. And they are MADE SAFE® certified, too.  

Naturepedic® mattresses don’t have harmful ingredients or release vapors, gases, or by-products that could impact your health. 

So, when we look at our top two points for choosing a mattress, non toxic and supportive, you can check off the non toxic box right away. 

Next let’s look at support.  

Naturepedic® Mattress Options 

Naturepedic® has different non toxic mattress models. One option is cotton and wool. Another is latex. Another is a hybrid. 

In terms of support, each type offers different support. 

The cotton/wool option is considered medium firm. That’s good for a variety of different sleeping positions. If you don’t have a lot of chronic pain, this may be a good non toxic and affordable option for you. 

If you are prone to chronic fatigue and wake up with aches and pains a lot, you may want to look at something with different support. The latex or hybrid model may be better suited to you.

Like you read in the pros and cons, latex beds are good at preventing transfer of movement. They “bounce” back nicely. But they offer good support by contouring your body. 

So, you don’t get hot spots or pressure point pain. 

One of the special features of Naturepedic® is that they have several customizable mattress options. And you can swap out layers for 100 days for no charge.

That means you can get the right firmness for your needs. (There is a small deposit for returns, but once the old layer has been received, you’ll get that deposit refunded.) 

While a lot of non toxic mattresses made with natural materials may not be very durability, Naturepedic® offers an incredible 25-year warranty on their mattresses. 

There are some stipulations on this warranty. The first ten 10 years are a full component repair or replacement warranty. 

The last 15 years will be prorated based on a 60/40 percentage basis. That’s still a decent warranty. There are other details, but these are all easily accessed on their site before you buy. You can check it out for yourself. 

More Pros and Cons of Naturepedic® 

Pros: 

• Non toxic 
• No use of chemical flame retardants 
• Organic 
• No highly toxic pesticides 
• Eco friendly 
• No off gassing 
• Individually encased coils (prevents EMF buildup) 
• 100 night sleep trial 
• Free returns 
• Long term value 
• Financing options 

Cons:  

• Can be heavy 
• More expensive upfront than traditional mattresses and even some foam mattresses 
• It must be on a solid platform or box spring (I don’t see this as a true con, but it is something to be aware of)
• Warranty not as comprehensive as Organix 

I’ve not tried this one out for myself. But as I mentioned, one of my peers who is very concerned with living a non toxic lifestyle loves this. 

And one of the Mast Cell 360 team members uses a Naturepedic® crib mattress for her son. 

She told me she chose this because she wanted a healthy mattress for her baby. 

And she has a lot of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome sensitivities, too. Knowing she’d be near the crib a lot, she didn’t want to set off her own reactions, either. 

She reported that in the 3 years her son has been using it, she never had any issues with reactions from off gassing. 

And she said she never noticed any excessive wear and tear on the mattress itself. No dips or sags. 

She’s now even considering a Naturepedic® mattress for her own room! 

Naturepedic® Coupon Code for the Mast Cell 360 Community

I reached out to Naturepedic®, too, to see if they could help us out with a coupon code for non toxic mattresses. 

They were very generous in sharing this special offer with you.  

>>>Use Coupon Code MASTCELL360 for 15% off Naturepedic®

But they do offer financing options. So, it may be worth it to go ahead and use that 15% off now! 

Worried about how you’ll get the mattress to your bedroom once it’s delivered?

They have a white glove service option available! That means you have the option of getting your mattress delivered directly to your bedroom. 

But if you need to move the mattress yourself later down the road, here’s the good news. The mattress is made of several components that can be taken apart and put back together. Being able to move smaller, less heavy parts is much easier than moving an entire mattress.

Check out the Facebook Live webinar I did with Arin from Naturepedic® about Getting Better Sleep with MCAS. He shared great information with us and answered some of your top questions. Click here to watch it.

Note: You don’t need a Facebook account to watch!

How Do You Choose the Best Non Toxic Mattress? 

Both the Organix Tranquiliti™ mattress and the Naturepedic® mattress are good choices. 

You’ve read about the pros and cons of both above. 

When it comes down to it, here’s what you might boil your choice down to. 

If you have hypermobility, spine issues, or cranial instability, I’d go with the Organix Tranquiliti™ if you have the budget for it.  

If budget is your top concern, I’d go with Naturpedic®. 

Sweet Dreams 

Whether you are shopping for a non toxic mattress now or in the future…remember, you spend 30% of each day on just this one item of furniture.  

And it can really help support your health if you have the right one. 

Whatever is right for you, just make sure your mattress is non toxic and doesn’t cause any body pain so you can get deep, restorative sleep. 

Wishing you sweet dreams and restful sleep! 

Click here to jump to choosing a healthy mattress!

Some links in this website are affiliate links, which means Mast Cell 360 may make a very small commission if you purchase through the link. It never costs you any more to purchase through the links, and we try to find the best deals we can. We only recommend products that we love and use personally or use in the Mast Cell 360 practice. Any commissions help support the newsletter, website, and ongoing research so Mast Cell 360.

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