Aside from allergies what is histamine good for?
Histamine has several other roles in the body, including:
- Stimulating gastric acid secretion: Histamine is released by the stomach in response to food, which helps to break down proteins.
- Vasodilation: Histamine can cause the dilation of blood vessels, which can lead to increased blood flow to a particular area. This is why histamine is often used in nasal decongestants and eye drops to help relieve congestion and swelling.
- Neurotransmission: Histamine is a neurotransmitter, meaning that it helps to transmit signals between nerve cells. Histamine is involved in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, attention, learning and memory.
- Immune regulation: Histamine is involved in the regulation of the immune system, and it can help to protect the body from infection and allergic reactions.