I found this study a few months ago and keep thinking about it, so I thought I would share.

The study was on mice but it showed that elevated histamine levels were not only linked to lower levels of serotonin, but an SSRI (lexapro) lost the ability to boost serotonin as a result of the high histamine levels. 

I was put on lexapro in 2020 and it did not make a difference. In fact, new symptoms appeared and intensified over the months as I upped my dosage, so I tapered off. I had been prescribed klonopin as well and hated using it, so I asked to try hydroxyzine, an antihistamine that can be prescribed for anxiety. Now, the only medications I take regularly are pepcid and hydroxyzine as needed.

I still have anxiety, but I am not experiencing panic attacks like I had been. I also started therapy again and really got into ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy). The level of general anxiety I deal with today is much more tolerable than it was when I was prescribed lexapro. The panic attacks have not happened in well over a year. A lot of the physical symptoms I experienced before starting lexapro and then immediately after have gotten better.

I’m sure multiple things were at play, but I cannot stop thinking about this study and the possible correlation. I know the effectiveness of SSRIs has been debated, so this may be a possible reason why. I deal with a few allergic conditions and have been going to doctors for years because of them.

Again, this is a fairly new finding in a study on mice, but it’s intriguing!

[Histamine Disrupts Serotonin and May Impede How SSRIs Work](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/202108/histamine-disrupts-serotonin-and-may-impede-how-ssris-work?amp)