Why histamine can fuel anxiety
V
Vicente
fromComputerMindMerging computers with the human mind.
July 13, 2025
5 min read
ComputerMind Blog
| Level | Key points | Selected evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular | Mast-cells in brain parenchyma and meninges release histamine, IL-6, TNF-α and leukotrienes when triggered by stress, allergens or cytokines. | Neuropsychiatric MCAS review (PMC) |
| Circuit | Histamine excites H₁-receptor-rich pyramidal neurons in amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, increasing arousal and anxiety; H₃-autoreceptors normally damp this signal. | Brain mast-cell knockout or pharmacologic blockade heightens anxiety-like behaviour in mice, confirming a causal link (PMC) |
| Clinical | Patients with mast-cell-activation syndrome (MCAS) or high-histamine diets frequently report generalised anxiety and panic-like autonomic surges. | Prospective MCAS cohort – 37 % met GAD criteria (ScienceDirect) |