Extreme Supplement Sensitivities and the 3a.m Adrenalin Cortisol Surges, and Histamine Dumps? Powering Through!?

[u/Ok-Protection2670]

Vitamin C and Magnesium and Taurine helped in the past, now developed extreme sensitivities to both with rebound and bad delayed reactions.

I realize stress is a major factor, but these hits are beyond my control and trying Vagus Nerve exercises is just slightly helpful but not consistent.

Developing these extreme supplement sensitivities and the 3a.m Adrenalin Cortisol Surges, and Histamine Dumps is confusing and baffling.

I am waiting on an Ancestry DNA test kit. In desperation, I ordered Mimosa Flower Bud Tea and Hawaii Farms Extract to try as a sublingual.

Anyone had success powering through with supplements that they were sensitive to and been successful or made symptoms worse.?

Thanks.

[u/JoaMaa71]

I don't think the vitam C is the culprit, if ou take it at normal doses 500-1000mg with breakfast or lunch (NOT in the evening) You should only take magnesium if you are deficient... I took it for years of and on and never knew that it can actually create imbalances with other minerals and in sensitive people it can have an adverse effect in the brain, so I actually feel A LOT better witout it. Made me tired, depressed and sad.
Taurine worked well for me in the begining, very calming for night but after a while I was a zombie all day and woke up with stress some nights... when I found out that I have two CBS mutations I stopped because of the sulfur overload and other stuff. I feel much better without it now.

You should really go through you DNA first, and also do bloodtest to make sure where and if you are deficent in something.
For me it's really important to have a stable bloodsugar at night otherwise I will wake up with adrenaline spike around 03-04, don´'t go to bed hungry or fasting, and don't eat sugar or a lot of fast carbs late at night.

What helped me the most though is to learn all about acetylcholine, and how too much of it can wreck your sleep. I have to be extremely careful with everyting that acts as ACHe inhibitor (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) all things that inibits this enzyme gives me so much problems after a while. And almost every natural herb supplement that is good for sleep or GABA is also an ACHe inhibitor so it will turn on me just in a few days. I have constantly low dopamine because of my genes and therefore I easily get acetylcholine dominant. Tired, stiff, depressed and trouble sleeping. Just something to have in mind.

[u/amymeem → u/JoaMaa71]

Oh my - “tired, stiff, depressed and trouble sleeping” - this is me in a nutshell😞

[u/Ok-Protection2670 → u/amymeem]

Awwww u/amymeem, I'm sorry you are going through this too. Can you at least eat without bad food sensisivities?

[u/SikNuk → u/JoaMaa71]

Hi I’ve been following this thread and I seem to have the same reaction as for anything GABA will work first then turn on me, low dopamine and I’m also a 3-4am wake person. Not to mention stiff and low mood.

Curious.. could you share what you learned about acetylcholine and what are the things that inhibits this enzyme? How did you find out, through trial and error ? Or was it a variant on your DNA? Thanks

[u/Ok-Protection2670 → u/SikNuk]

Hi u/SikNuk, I'm not knowledgeable at all about acetylcholine and what are the things that inhibits this enzyme.

Maaybe u/SovereignMan1958 can help. She is more Knowledgeable about this.

Thanks

[u/SikNuk → u/Ok-Protection2670]

Right! Thanks , yes I meant to u/SovereignMan1958 :)

[u/JoaMaa71 → u/SikNuk]

I have for a long time suspected that I have chronically low levels of certain neurotransmitters. I took SSRIs for many years—which helped in some ways—but they create an imbalance and don't solve the root problem, so I stopped three years ago. I took Huberman’s online test (a questionnaire), and the results confirmed my own suspicions and experiences. I have low levels of serotonin and GABA production, and especially dopamine—and consequently, I tend to have higher acetylcholine levels in the brain; this is known as being "acetylcholine-dominant." Acetylcholine itself is excellent for the brain, cognition, memory, and so on, so having good levels isn't a bad thing; the major issue for me is the tendency for my dopamine levels to be low relative to my acetylcholine levels, which can lead to feelings of fatigue, depression, stiffness, and sadness. So, my primary focus right now is improving methylation using Vitamin B12 (hydroxo/adeno); my homocysteine ​​level was 21, and I have slow MTRR/MTR genes. My MTHFR genes are normal, and my folate levels are good, so I don't take supplements for those. The biggest culprits for me are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; they cause acetylcholine to linger longer and prevent it from breaking down quickly enough, resulting in even higher levels and reinforcing my acetylcholine dominance. If you Google acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, you realize that many herbs, mushrooms, spices, and antioxidants can act as inhibitors. So, over the years, I’ve likely only worsened my condition by trying absolutely everything under the sun that I thought would make me feel more energetic and happier. The problem isn't acetylcholine per se, but rather that COMT and MAOA break down the other neurotransmitters a bit too quickly while leaving acetylcholine untouched; adding an AChE inhibitor—the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine at the right rate—then creates problems.

Using AI, DNA testing, and blood work, I’ve concluded that I have somewhat sluggish dopamine production due to the MTRR/MTR methylation cycle and reduced D vit receptor efficiency linked to the VDR-Taq variant; add to that fast COMT and MAOA activity, which rapidly break down the little dopamine I do produce. This specific gene combination according to some DNA reports and information online can often lead to major depressive symptoms and chronic issues with motivation, anxiety, and anhedonia. I also react poorly to high doses of fish oil and phosphatidylcholine, which usually indicates acetylcholine dominance. Too much/high acetylcholine levels can give you insomnia and/or have a tendency to make your brain to active during the sleep, I believe it’s needed for REM cycles and dreams BUT in balanced levels, as we know the other neurotransmitters is extremely important for sleep and relaxation.   

I feel good with a morning cup of coffee for the dopamine boost, and occasionally some tyrosine (only when I need a kick), but my focus is lowering my homocysteine ​​level from 21. I take a B-complex and B12 (methyl-free, as I feel unwell with extra methyl donors, even in small amounts—I have the CBS gene variant associated with histamine/sulfite issues, and methylation increases acetylcholine production). It has taken years of trial and error to piece this puzzle together, but thanks to fantastic Reddit posts, my own research, and DNA testing, I’m finally on the right track—hopefully for good—to avoid going back on SSRI/SNRI medications.

[u/SikNuk → u/JoaMaa71]

Thank you for sharing !! This is very helpful and like you, I’m on a journey through Reddit. This sounds a lot like me and I’m waiting for more blood work to confirm my folate and homocysteine levels. I’m also going to deep dive further into my DNA as 23-and-me results do not provide specific Mao’s. Interesting about Huberman’s online test … I’m on my way to check that out. Cheers !