The ADHD Adults Podcast Episode 196 ADHD and Histamine
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Oct 27, 2025 Delve into the intriguing connections between ADHD and histamine, a lesser-known neurotransmitter. Discover how histamine affects wakefulness, attention, and interactions with dopamine. The hosts examine the potential links between immune issues, like allergies, and ADHD symptoms, along with emerging research on histamine intolerance. Personal anecdotes add a light-hearted touch, with amusing tales of misplaced items and technical mishaps, as they advocate for a broader understanding of ADHD beyond just dopamine.
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Histamine Is A Multirole Brain Chemical
- Histamine is both a brain neurotransmitter and an immune mediator with multiple receptor types (H1–H4) across body and brain.
- H3 in the brain modulates wakefulness, attention, and other neurotransmitters relevant to ADHD.
H3 Receptor Controls Other Neurotransmitters
- H3 receptors act as a dimmer for histamine and influence dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and acetylcholine.
- Blocking H3 can boost these neurotransmitters in animals, suggesting a mechanism relevant to ADHD.
Animal Success Didn't Translate To Humans
- Promising H3 antagonist results in ADHD-like rats failed to replicate in human trials.
- Clinical trials (MK-0249, Bavisant) showed no clear benefit and caused insomnia or worse effects at higher doses.
