The term "canary in a coal mine" comes from the use of canaries as an early warning system in the coal mines before good ventilation systems were developed. Canaries are particularly sensitive to methane and carbon monoxide. As long as the canary was alive, the miners were safe. If the poor bird collapsed, it warned the miners that there was a build up of some sort of gas and they had to respond.

The following symptoms are similar to the canary. They are warning you (us) that something is wrong and if you don't do something different, you may suffer. The symptoms are not unique to the ingestion of excitotoxins, but if one gets repetitive reactions such as some of those listed below, then maybe one may want to just check out their diet. Just suppose you have a child that is being doctored for ADHD and you found that his condition disappears if you eliminate certain food substances. They may be sugar, certain dyes and excitotoxins. Wouldn't that be great? It actually can work that way. Read the symptoms and then chart your own or your loved ones symptoms. By keeping a log of the symptoms and then adding to it the food that was ate in the past 24 hours, you may start to see a pattern. Good luck with your efforts.

Like many people who are MSG sensitive, I am aware when I've just ate something I shouldn't have. The reactions I can expect first include tingling in the finger tips, light-headedness, and weakness in my arms. Dizziness, nausea, unquenchable thirst, rapid heartbeat, and looking "pale as a ghost" as Mick has described my complexion, will occasionally follow. Sometimes I will get a delayed reaction which will include a migraine, flu-like symptoms, drowsiness, and sensitivity to light. My symptoms are not limited to only these reactions. I've had rare incidents of spinning rooms, unable to stand unassisted, and excessive vomiting.

There are many lists of symptoms which people have compiled on the internet to help inform others what to expect if they are MSG sensitive. The most inclusive list I have found is on Truth in Labeling. Feel free to visit their website. It has given me much appreciated information over the years.