18 replies to this topic

[Wingless]

I get severe allergies every spring. I've always taken Clartin (Loratadine) but it exacerbates my depressive symptoms.

 

What is a good alternative? Itchy watery eyes and constant sneezing/runny nose are the problems.

[stan08]

I have the same problems with zyrtec.  I just read an article that the methanol extract of bacopa works really well as a mast cell stabilizer - http://www.sciencedi...6X00003099?np=y.  It provided comparable results to disodium cromoglycate .  I can't find doses in the study but plan on giving it a try (Himalaya brand of bacopa is a methanol extract).  A mast cell stabilizer (along with a low histamine diet) seems like a better long-term solution than taking an anti-histamine.  Now, I'm not sure this actually addresses your question since you mention in the heading "without psychological effects" and bacopa will likely provide psychological effects. However, I would think its effects would be more on the positive side versus the negative effects from an antihistamine.

[YOLF]

I think I had depressive symptoms from claritin for years before I realized it. I don't remember so much what it was like, but make sure you make an adverse event report on it.

 

Bioflavanoids in general

Reishi and some other less common mushrooms

Ester C

Boosting T

Listerine Mouthwash

A good B complex

 

Generally, anything that speeds up your metabolism tends to clear you up. Don't treat the symptoms, prevent them.

[stan08]

Apparently L-Theanine might also be a mast cell stabilizer - http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21344174

 

Also wanted to add that I see quercetin and bromelain recommended a lot for allergies.  

Edited by stan08, 26 April 2016 - 04:36 PM.

[YOLF]

Apparently L-Theanine might also be a mast cell stabilizer - http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21344174

 

Also a sedative though.

[stan08]

 

Apparently L-Theanine might also be a mast cell stabilizer - http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21344174

 

Also a sedative though.

 

 

Definitely agree with that.  I tried it a while back but couldn't tolerate the sedative effects (even at just 100 mg).  However, if it does work as a mast cell stabilizer then maybe it would be something to add at night since its sedative action could also help with sleep.

[irony]

Allegra (fexofenadine) doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and isn't anticholinergic 

[YOLF]

 

 

Apparently L-Theanine might also be a mast cell stabilizer - http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21344174

 

Also a sedative though.

 

 

Definitely agree with that.  I tried it a while back but couldn't tolerate the sedative effects (even at just 100 mg).  However, if it does work as a mast cell stabilizer then maybe it would be something to add at night since its sedative action could also help with sleep.

 

 

lol, it cancels out the effects of adderall and the half life is 36 hours. I took a sample with Coleus and ECGs(contain Theanine) and caffeine, and after the Coleus wore off, I was left with theanine depression as if I was drinking tea... I wrote a song while on it though... def. good for writing emo songs. Glycine during the day is vastly cheaper and superior for sleep, also good for skin.

[YOLF]

Allegra (fexofenadine) doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and isn't anticholinergic 

 

I haven't tried this one, but it has immunosuppression side effects. This generally results in malaise and decreased mood. Probably affects the gut (vagus nerve) as well and that's an important part of mood.

[stan08]

Allegra (fexofenadine) doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and isn't anticholinergic 

 

I tried Allegra for a couple weeks but it was also sedating (not as bad as zyrtec though) and definitely increased my depression.  It was horrible...felt on the verge of tears and "giving up on life" while on it.  It was by far worse than zyrtec for me.  

[Wingless]

I am thinking of just trying to treat the symptoms locally ie nasal spray, allergy eye drops, cough syrup. Might be more expensive though.

 

 

Also does anyone have any insight on the interactions between Modafinil and allergies? Modafinil increases histamine levels in the brain which is what leads to you feeling more awake, and apparently histamines are involved in the nervous systems response to the allergies.

 

Seems to me like it could hypothetically increase allergy sensitivity. But if you take Modafinil with an antihistamine drug, I wonder if you get rid of the allergic reactions without the drowsiness.

[Heisok]

I used to get severe seasonal allergies. You might want to try Butterbur. Even the Swanson's and Vitacost brands seem to work well for us. I also do not like the effects of Allegra or Claritin and other drugs similar to these.

 

For years, I relied on LEF's Butterbur, Rosmarinic Acid, Luteolin and Perilla leaf extract formula . They have discontinued it. Currently I use nasal Fluticasone or generic Flonase once a day, supplemented by Swanson's Butterbur twice daily. I live in a very high allergy area and this combination keeps me free of symptoms. My wife only uses Butterbur.

 

 

[BasicBiO]

I've had pretty severe seasonal allergies during my younger years. I tried many of the antohistamines out there and had the same problem as the OP. I stumbled on a passage in the book "Alternative Medicine; The Definitive Guide", which talked about case studies of severe allergies being treated/cured with B12 injections.

 

Long story short, I tried them and they work and have continued to work for 14 years. Both cyano and methylcobalamins seem to work fine for this purpose. During high pollen times, I inject 1ml (1000mg B12) every 2 weeks and it keeps histamine reactions at bay.

 

Butterbur does work pretty well, however there were concerns about kidney/liver damage so I think that may be the reason it's a little harder to find these days.

[YOLF]

I am thinking of just trying to treat the symptoms locally ie nasal spray, allergy eye drops, cough syrup. Might be more expensive though.

 

 

Also does anyone have any insight on the interactions between Modafinil and allergies? Modafinil increases histamine levels in the brain which is what leads to you feeling more awake, and apparently histamines are involved in the nervous systems response to the allergies.

 

Seems to me like it could hypothetically increase allergy sensitivity. But if you take Modafinil with an antihistamine drug, I wonder if you get rid of the allergic reactions without the drowsiness.

Don't worry about lowering histamine. Higher can be fine if your immune system has the right fuel. It's all about balance. If you want to take a drug, try metformin or acarbose, lowers blood sugar and raises FGF21 which improves immune function. Tocotrienols help too... there are probably 100 alternatives that improve mood, awareness, and cognitive performance... Antihistamines are the wrong path... it proves results, but at expense, for the money you could have a pile of side benefits...

[Dichotohmy]

Have you ever tried flonase or a prescription inhaled corticosteroid?

For me flunisolide (inhaled corticcosteroid) virtually abolished all upper respiratory allergies flat. Its unbelievable how much pollen laden air doesn't bother me any more. These drugs are easy to get prescribed, cheap, last a long time (I just dose once/24 hours maintenance) and likely safe. There is some controversy in what if any effect these drugs effect endogenous cortisol levels - with implications of course WRT psychoactive effects or worse depression. Personally, I cant tell. I say that with experience with prednisone and trying cortisol suppressors like ashwaghanda or PS, with suppressors being pretty bad for me.

All sorts of antihistamines have always been beyond useless for me and produce nothing but side effects.

Avoid OTC dialators like afrin at all costs. The rebound congestion happens fast and addiction is real. They also worsen nasal allergies in my experience.

[YOLF]

Have you ever tried flonase or a prescription inhaled corticosteroid?

For me flunisolide (inhaled corticcosteroid) virtually abolished all upper respiratory allergies flat. Its unbelievable how much pollen laden air doesn't bother me any more. These drugs are easy to get prescribed, cheap, last a long time (I just dose once/24 hours maintenance) and likely safe. There is some controversy in what if any effect these drugs effect endogenous cortisol levels - with implications of course WRT psychoactive effects or worse depression. Personally, I cant tell. I say that with experience with prednisone and trying cortisol suppressors like ashwaghanda or PS, with suppressors being pretty bad for me.

All sorts of antihistamines have always been beyond useless for me and produce nothing but side effects.

Avoid OTC dialators like afrin at all costs. The rebound congestion happens fast and addiction is real. They also worsen nasal allergies in my experience.

 

Have you been genotyped with 23andme? I'm thinking those with more sensitive brain chemistry are more susceptible to depression from anything with negative neurological effects. Would love to look at the 23andme data of those who have mood and cognitive side effects on this stuff.

 

If taking adderall, ritalin, or any kind of TAAR1 activator abolishes/diminishes the effect, that would be interesting to note also.

[Keizo]

You could try desloratadine

[YOLF]

You could try desloratadine

That's basically the active metabolite of claritin. Causes psychomotor retardation and is expected to lower important neurosteroids such as T. I have to wonder how many nootropic users are taking other drugs which create a need of some kind for nootropics.

 

I'm also wondering if Histidine>Histamine would increase the activity of the immune system to remove more pathological cells and the higher histamine side effects would fade with time as improvements in cell profiles occur. It just seems like they're getting this all wrong. So how many people who take immune lowering drugs will get some kind of low grade, pro aging infection? And once it sets in, will it lower the recovery potential of the immune system when the immunosuppressant drug is removed? It seems like these allergy conditions only get worse and more widespread.

[Keizo]

 

You could try desloratadine

That's basically the active metabolite of claritin. Causes psychomotor retardation and is expected to lower important neurosteroids such as T. I have to wonder how many nootropic users are taking other drugs which create a need of some kind for nootropics.

 

 

 

Yes and supposedly it should have fewer side effects. I used to use loratadine and desloratadine to help with my breathing/asthma which was tied to my allergies (dog, pollen, and whatever else). I also used to use inhalable corticosteroids for about 10 months a few years ago. Just my personal experience is that desloratadine causes less sluggishness.

I'm not sure what made the change but my breathing improved even as I chain smoked and still had my dog. I'm guessing vitamin D, or maybe something was restored after benzodiazepine withdrawal. Anyway I don't recall breathing this well in my life as I have for the past 2 years.

 

Sounds bad about the side effects I am throwing away the remainder of my anti-histamines, I don't really need them anyway.

Edited by Keizo, 29 April 2016 - 08:11 PM.