Histamine could be a key player in depression, according to study in mice (Anti-histamines help if inflammation is depression cause)

Medical XPress / Imperial College London / The Journal of Neuroscience ^ | Aug 17, 2021 | Caroline Brogan / Melinda Hersey et al

[ConservativeMind]

Bodily inflammation dampens levels of a "feel-good molecule" and antidepressants' ability to boost them, according to new research in mice.

The findings add to mounting evidence that inflammation, and the accompanying release of the molecule histamine, affects a key molecule responsible for mood in the brain—serotonin.

If replicated in humans, the findings—which identify histamine as a "new molecule of interest" in depression—could open new avenues for treating depression, which is the most common mental health problem worldwide.

Inflammation—a blanket term describing an immune response—triggers the release of histamine in the body. This increases blood flow to affected areas to flood them with immune cells. While these effects help the body fight infections, both long-term and acute inflammation is increasingly linked to depression.

Inflammation accompanies infections but can also be caused by stress, allergic responses and a host of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Lead author Dr. Parastoo said: "Inflammation could play a huge role in depression, and there is already strong evidence that patients with both depression and severe inflammation are the ones most likely not to respond to antidepressants.

On further examination they found that the histamine in the brain was triggered by the inflammatory response and directly inhibited the release of serotonin, by attaching to inhibitory receptors on the serotonin neurons.

To counter this, the researchers administered SSRIs to the mice, but they were much less able to boost serotonin levels than in control mice. They posited that this is because the SSRIs directly increased the amount of histamine in the brain, cancelling out its serotonin boosting action.

The researchers then administered histamine reducing drugs alongside the SSRIs to counter histamine's inhibitory effects, and saw serotonin levels rise back to control levels.

[ConservativeMind]

Inflammation takes a toll on many processes. Also consider more Omega-3 fats, fewer Omega-6 fats, and more antioxidants in your diet to help reduce inflammation. Also consider reducing weight and more exercise.

[Born to Conserve]

Back in the day, there were little white pills that cured depression. Most people benefited, but some people took too many and ruined it for the rest of us. Now they’re illegal for everyone. Handicap everyone so no one is left behind.

[EEGator]

Fish oil, proper sleep and exercise, solid nutrition, time in nature, and meditation.
Sex and company is good as well.

[EEGator]

What pills?

[nuconvert]

Mother’s Little Helper

https://tinyurl.com/yeqnsevq

[moovova]

Good dental care also reduces inflammation.

Regular dentist visits and keep your teefs clean!

[moovova]

Uppers.

[Born to Conserve]

“What pills?”

“Weed, whites, and wiiiiiiine...”