Histamine Intolerances, Mast Cells, Our Nervous System, and Liver with Dr. Jess Peatross

Have you ever broken out in mysterious hives that seemed to appear from nowhere? Or maybe you’re dealing with unexplained anxiety, heart palpitations, or skin reactions that your doctor can’t quite figure out? If you’re nodding your head right now, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not crazy. As someone who recently experienced my first-ever hive outbreak after a perfect storm of surgery, travel to Bali, and the infamous “Bali belly,” I found myself diving deep into the world of histamine and mast cells. What I discovered shocked me: these reactions that seem to come out of nowhere, especially in midlife, often have a root cause that most doctors completely miss. That’s why I knew I had to bring on Dr. Jessica Peatross—or Dr. Jess as we call her. She’s not your typical MD. She’s what I call a “surgeon of figuring out what’s really going on”—someone who digs deep to uncover the hidden connections between your symptoms when everyone else has given up.

Understanding the Histamine-Mast Cell Connection

When most people hear “histamine,” they immediately think allergies—sneezing, watery eyes, maybe some itching. But according to Dr. Jess, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Histamine is a substance produced by specialized cells called mast cells, which act as your body’s first line of defense. These cells are everywhere in your body, ready to protect you from what they perceive as threats. When triggered, they release histamine, which can cause symptoms anywhere from your skin to your heart to your digestive system. The fascinating (and frustrating) part? Your mast cells don’t just respond to actual threats like pathogens or toxins. They can be triggered by something most of us never consider: our own nervous system.

The Nervous System: The Hidden Trigger Nobody Talks About

Here’s what blew my mind during our conversation: nervous system dysregulation is the number one reason for histamine outbreaks, according to Dr. Jess’s years of clinical experience. Think about it this way—when you’re anxious or stressed, your body literally can’t tell the difference between your racing thoughts and an actual bear chasing you. Those anxious thoughts trigger a cascade of chemical signals including adrenaline and cortisol. Your body interprets these signals as danger and responds by releasing its chemical defenders, including histamine. Dr. Jess shared something profound: many patients tell her their mind feels calm, but their body feels unsafe. This disconnect between mind and body can keep you stuck in a cycle of histamine reactions that seem to have no clear cause.

Why Midlife Women Are Especially Vulnerable

During midlife, our bodies are already navigating significant hormonal shifts. Add in years of accumulated stress, potential gut issues, and increased toxic exposure, and you have the perfect storm for histamine problems to suddenly appear. Dr. Jess explained that symptoms can vary wildly—from classic hives to heart palpitations (a histamine response affecting the vagus nerve and circulatory system) to digestive issues. Some women develop dermatographia, where even light scratching causes welts. Others experience full-body hives during times of stress or after exposure to certain triggers.

The Gut Connection You Can’t Ignore

One crucial piece of the puzzle that Dr. Jess emphasized is the gut-histamine connection. When your body can’t eliminate toxins through normal bowel movements, it often pushes them out through the skin—hello, hives and rashes! This is why addressing gut health is essential. If you’re dealing with parasites, bacterial overgrowth, or other gut dysfunction, your histamine issues won’t fully resolve until you address the root cause.

Your Healing Protocol: A Comprehensive Approach

Dr. Jess doesn’t believe in band-aid solutions. Her approach targets the root causes while providing symptom relief. Here’s what she recommends:

1. Nervous System Regulation (The Foundation) Before any protocol will work effectively, you must address nervous system dysregulation. Dr. Jess spent the first month or two with patients focusing solely on this foundational piece.
2. Strategic Supplementation

• Clear AF: A dissolving strip containing Ganoderma immunomodulatory protein and vitamin D3, designed to calm mast cells and reduce inflammation
• PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide): Helps stabilize mast cells and reduce their reactivity
• Quercetin: A natural antihistamine that helps regulate mast cell activity
• Quality Minerals: Essential for nervous system function and cellular communication

3. The Power of Binders Dr. Jess calls binders her “magic trick.” These substances act like sponges, mopping up excess histamine, toxins, and inflammatory compounds. She shared her personal protocol for clearing her own severe eczema outbreak: seven binders twice daily for three days (though she emphasizes this aggressive approach isn’t for everyone).

Different binders work differently:

• Humic and fulvic acid binders: Can be taken with food, provide minerals, and act as cellular drivers
• Activated charcoal, zeolite, or bentonite clay: Must be taken away from food and supplements as they bind minerals
• Psyllium husk: Acts like a broom through the digestive tract, also helpful for cholesterol management

4. Address Underlying Infections If parasites, mold, or other pathogens are triggering your mast cells, they must be addressed. This often requires working with a knowledgeable practitioner who understands the complex interplay between infections and histamine.

The Mind-Body Connection: Your Thoughts Matter More Than You Think

One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was understanding that your thoughts can be your best ally or worst enemy in healing. Dr. Jess emphasized the importance of becoming an observer of your thoughts rather than being controlled by them. When you’re stuck in anxiety or fear, you’re literally creating a chemical environment in your body that triggers mast cell activation. Learning to regulate your nervous system through practices like breathwork, meditation, or even simple grounding exercises can be as powerful as any supplement.

When to Let It Run Its Course vs. When to Intervene

I asked Dr. Jess a question many of you probably have: when you’re having a histamine reaction, should you let it run its course (like a fever) or stop it immediately? Her answer was nuanced. If the reaction is due to your body trying to eliminate a pathogen or toxin (like food poisoning), the histamine response is actually doing its job—creating inflammation to help eliminate the threat. In these cases, supporting your body’s natural detox processes might be more beneficial than suppressing symptoms. However, if you’re dealing with chronic, ongoing reactions that are disrupting your life, intervention is appropriate. The key is understanding why you’re reacting in the first place.

Your Action Plan: Start With the Nervous System

If you’re dealing with mysterious symptoms that seem to have no clear cause—especially if they started or worsened in midlife—consider that histamine and mast cell activation might be at play. But don’t just throw antihistamines at the problem and hope for the best. Start with nervous system regulation. This might mean:

• Addressing anxiety and stress through therapy or mindfulness practices
• Improving sleep quality
• Supporting your body with targeted supplements
• Working with a practitioner who understands the complex connections between your nervous system, gut, and immune response

Remember, these reactions aren’t happening because your body is broken or betraying you. They’re happening because your body is trying to protect you. The goal isn’t to suppress this protective mechanism but to help your body understand when it’s actually safe.

Moving Forward: You’re Not Stuck With This

The most empowering message from Dr. Jess is that you don’t have to live with these symptoms forever. By addressing the root causes—particularly nervous system dysregulation and gut health—many people see dramatic improvements in their histamine-related symptoms. This isn’t about finding another quick fix or magic pill. It’s about understanding the intricate connections in your body and addressing them systematically. With the right approach, you can calm your overactive mast cells, reduce histamine reactions, and reclaim your health.

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    The contents of the Midlife Conversations podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links mentioned on this podcast.