Our brain relies on histamines

Histamines. We often fear them, associating them with seasonal, environmental and food allergies, hives and rashes, and blocked sinuses.

But, they also play some crucial roles in our bodies, and are essential for both immune responses and brain function

  1. Immune system - When the body encounters allergens or pathogens, histamine is released from mast cells as part of the inflammatory response. This release causes blood vessels to dilate and become more permeable, allowing immune cells to access the affected tissues. This process helps to eliminate invaders and initiate healing

  2. Brain function - Histamines act as neurotransmitters in the brain. They influence cognitive functions, including learning and memory eg their release enhances the brain's ability to form new memories, particularly in spatial learning. This means that histamines are essential for our ability to navigate and understand our environment

  3. Sleep-wake cycle - Histamines promote wakefulness and alertness, acting as a natural stimulant. This is why antihistamines that block histamine receptors can cause drowsiness

Histamines are thus part of a delicate balancing act in the body playing a dual role that can be protective when functioning properly and problematic when dysregulated.

Achieving histamine balance involves a combination of maintaining a healthy diet low in histamine-triggering foods, managing stress levels, ensuring good gut health, and possibly incorporating natural antihistamines. This helps calm the immune system so the root cause can be dealt with eg mould, Lyme, gut infections.