Why Taking Activated Charcoal At Night Can Help Lower Histamine - And Help You Sleep
- Dr. Brian Lum
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 15
A wide range of seemingly unrelated symptoms, like restless sleep, insomnia, hives, sinus congestion, muscle twitches, heart pounding, heart palpitations, strong hypnic jerks (those muscle contractions you get when you are trying to fall asleep), can be caused by high histamine/histamine sensitivity.
In this article we will find out why taking activated charcoal can help you sleep.
In this article you will find:
What are the symptoms of high histamine?
What is histamine?
How can histamine keep you awake at night?
How activated charcoal may help you sleep if you have sleeplessness/insomnia caused by high histamine
The information in this article and on this website are intended for informational purposes only and does not take the place of seeing a doctor and should not be used for the purposes of diagnosis. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, have chest pain, or have trouble breathing, go to a hospital right away. Consult a doctor before beginning or stopping any medications or interventions.
What Symptoms Can Be Caused by High Histamine?
Gastrointestinal - stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, food sensitivities, acid reflux, GERD
Neurological - migraines, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, brain fog, hypnic jerks, muscle twitches, heightened neuropathy
Skin - hives, rashes, itchiness
Heart - heart palpitations, arrhythmia, POTS/dysautonomia, heart pounding
Long covid is also known to cause histamine issues, you can read more about that here:
What is Histamine?
Histamine Overload, rather than Histamine Intolerance or Sensitivity, would be a more accurate characterization of what is going on in Histamine Sensitive patients.
Histamine is an amino acid derivative secreted by basophils (a type of white blood cell), mast cells, and some neurons. [1]
It functions as a paracrine secretion (a chemical messenger that affects a small area, also called a 'local hormone') and neurotransmitter and has a wide range of effects, including gastric secretion, bronchoconstriction, and vasodilation. [2] Histamine can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. [3]
Why Activated Charcoal Can Help High Histamine
Histamine in small amounts is part of a healthy functioning immune system but often, things like stress, underlying infections and environmental allergens can cause your body to release an excess of histamine or cause you to have a hard time clearing up histamine once it is released.
Your body releases higher levels of histamine naturally at night after your last meal which could be why many patients see a spike in symptoms before they go to sleep
For many patients, taking activated charcoal at night (about two hours after an early dinner) can aid in the reduction of symptoms like anxiety and hives and can improve sleep. Interestingly, a small amount (a half a capsule dissolved in a small amount of water) of coconut shell-derived activated charcoal achieves this effect for many.
Traditionally, activated charcoal is used in cases of poisoning. [4]
There could be various mechanisms for why activated charcoal could be beneficial in cases of sleep disturbance. A non human study found that "by adsorbing urea and urea-derived ammonia, oral activated charcoal (AST-120) may ameliorate CKD-induced intestinal epithelial barrier disruption and systemic inflammation." [5] An older study also found that activated charcoal had could bind to endotoxins. [6]
I have found high levels of histamine to be a common underlying cause of insomnia that is rarely investigated.
Heart pounding or palpitations at night are also often written off as anxiety when they too can be the result of excess histamine. High levels of anxiety at night in Long Covid patients can also have a histamine component.
Remember that charcoal absorbs good minerals vitamins and necessary medications as well as excess histamine so you do not want to take activated charcoal long term - it is a temporary fix to a systemic problem. Always ask your doctor if you can take activated charcoal with your medications - they may recommend the best time to take it to not interfere.
Sourcing is important with activated charcoal, only get brands whose activated charcoal is derived from coconut shell (Bulletproof brand is what we usually recommend).
Online Consultations Available
For over a decade, I have treated complex and chronic illnesses and patients who are sensitive to conventional treatments. This experience has informed the way I help all my patients but has been especially useful in the large number of histamine-related conditions I now see.
With functional medicine diagnostics and treatment options, scientifically supported mind/body practices, powerful natural supplements and specific and personalized application - histamine symptoms can be drastically reduced or eliminated.
I am currently accepting new patients and offer online consultations worldwide.
If you would like to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me to ask questions about becoming a patient click the link below.
Histamine Course
In a few weeks time, we will be releasing 'Mastering Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): A Complex Illness Specialist’s Guide.'
Please visit our page to sign up for our mailing list and, if you have time, to fill out our survey to help us make this course the best possible resource for you!
Written by Stephanie Lum and Dr. Brian Lum
Disclaimer: If you think that you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information. Nor should you ever delay seeking medical advice or treatment due to the information contained on this Website. The information on this Website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The information discussed is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Reliance on the information provided by this Website, Dr. Brian Lum, or Functional Healthcare Institute is solely at your own risk.
Bibliography
[1] Saladin, K. S., Gan, C. A., & Cushman, H. N. (2011). Anatomy & physiology : the unity of form and function (Sixth edition.). McGraw-Hill Education. G-9.
[2] Saladin, K. S., Gan, C. A., & Cushman, H. N. (2011). Anatomy & physiology : the unity of form and function (Sixth edition.). McGraw-Hill Education. G-9.
[3] Thangam EB, Jemima EA, Singh H, Baig MS, Khan M, Mathias CB, Church MK and Saluja R (2018) The Role of Histamine and Histamine Receptors in Mast Cell-Mediated Allergy and Inflammation: The Hunt for New Therapeutic Targets. Front. Immunol. 9:1873. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01873
[4] Bakhsh, Hussian. 2023. “The Benefit of Activated Charcoal in Reducing Mortality in Toxic Patient: A Meta-Analysis.” International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science 8 (8): 335–39. https://doi.org/10.23958/ijirms/vol08-i08/1716.
[5] Vaziri, Nosratola D, Jun Yuan, Mahyar Khazaeli, Yuichi Masuda, Hirohito Ichii, and Shuman Liu. 2013. “Oral Activated Charcoal Adsorbent (AST-120) Ameliorates Chronic Kidney Disease-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Disruption.” American Journal of Nephrology 37 (6): 518–25. https://doi.org/10.1159/000351171.
[6] Nolan, J. P., McDevitt, J. J., Goldmann, G. S., & Bishop, C. (1975). Endotoxin binding by charged and uncharged resins. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 149(3), 766–770. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-149-38895