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About the Histamine-ADHD Link
Just another ADHD theory? Not this time. Histamine, usually better known for allergies —
Written by: Pippa Thackeray
Updated: April 13, 2025
Written by: Pippa Thackeray | Updated: April 13, 2025
Quick Read
- Histamine, beyond its role in allergies, may influence focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in individuals with ADHD.
- Histamine intolerance, stemming from insufficient DAO enzyme activity, can lead to an accumulation of histamine, potentially exacerbating ADHD symptoms by disrupting key neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine.
- High histamine levels may interfere with dopamine and acetylcholine, impacting motivation, focus, memory, and problem-solving abilities, all crucial for managing ADHD.
- The overlap between high histamine symptoms (irritability, disrupted sleep, mood swings, hyperactivity) and ADHD behaviors suggests a possible connection, supported by higher rates of allergic conditions among individuals with ADHD.
- Strategies to reduce histamine load, such as quercetin supplementation, vagus nerve stimulation, and calming herbs like saffron, may help manage ADHD symptoms by supporting nervous system regulation.
Contents
- 1. Could histamine be adding to ADHD symptoms?
- 2. Histamine doesn’t always get the credit it deserves
- 3. What is histamine intolerance?
- 4. Dopamine’s disrupted rhythm
- 5. Acetylcholine, also in the crossfire
- 6. Does histamine generally explain the feeling of restlessness?
- 7. The allergy connection
- 8. Key takeaways
- 9. The bottom line
