Histadelia is a less commonly-known factor in mental health issues, especially anxiety and depression. Note that this is different from testing for Histamine Intolerance, where people with allergy reactions may have a lack of the DAO enzyme needed to break excess histamine down. You can read about that side of histamine here.

 

Why is Histamine important?

Histamine is a brain neurotransmitter that is often overlooked. The level of histamine a person produces can have a major effect on mental and physical health. A nutritional pioneer, Carl Pfeiffer, discovered the link to histamine levels. Some people are genetically programmed to make too much and this is termed ‘Histadelia’. Some people have too little and this is ‘Histapenia.’

What if I have too much?

It’s a question of degree. In the right proportions, people are driven and achieve great things, but out of proportion, trouble can occur as things become obsessive and addictive. If mildly increased, this type of person may wake early, eat well, cry easily, has an active mind, tends towards being compulsive and obsessive and suffers from allergies. Histamine causes allergic reactions, increased production of mucus and saliva, a tendency to hyperactivity, compulsive behaviour and depression.

If the histamine level gets very high, though, this can cause severe compulsions, obsessive behaviour, depression and suicidal tendencies. This person will often have abnormal thoughts, is confused, has a blank mind and cries a lot. In fact, Pfeiffer discovered that about 20 per cent of schizophrenics are histadelic, and a great many people suffering from depression.  It is a trait that usually runs in families. Patients do not usually respond very well to orthodox drug therapy or electrotherapy.

Histadelics often love things like alcohol (for which they have a high tolerance most often) and high carbohydrate foods which sedate the mind, but are often addicted to sugar. They may be quite hairless, can eat a lot and not gain weight, have quite long fingers and toes, with the second toe often longer than the big toe, have a high sex drive. There is often a history of allergies, headaches and sensitivity to pain. Many histadelics are great artists, writers etc. Histamine produces a faster metabolism and a lot of heat in the body. In turn, this leads to a greater use and demand for nutrients and if this is not met, the person will ‘burn out’ and become ill and most likely very depressed.

 

What if I have too little?

 

Dr Pfeiffer discovered that many people with abnormal fears, anxiety, phobias and paranoia had very low histamine levels. This often occurred because they had very high copper levels in the blood that depresses histamine. The characteristics of a histapenic person are more or less opposite to those who have too much.

People often tend to put on weight easily, are quite hairy, rarely have headaches or allergies, a high pain threshold and often have a suspicious nature.  High copper will also affect zinc levels in the blood – and this mineral is crucial for balancing moods and for good mental health.