46. High Homocysteine: Histamine, Methylation & Why You Might Not Tolerate Methylated B Vitamins

53. Histamine Intolerance vs MCAS: How To Tell The Difference

Many people with flushing, hives, anxiety, brain fog, digestive issues, food sensitivities, and heart palpitations are told they have either histamine intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). While these conditions can look remarkably similar, they have very different underlying mechanisms—and understanding those differences is often the key to finding the right treatment. In this episode, Joanne explains the difference between histamine intolerance and MCAS, why symptoms overlap, and why some people continue to react despite following a low histamine diet. Drawing on her clinical experience, Joanne explores how histamine is processed in the body, the role of DAO and HNMT enzymes, common triggers for mast cell activation, and why addressing the root cause is essential for long-term recovery. She also discusses the connection between mould mycotoxins, gut dysfunction, SIBO, oxalates, nervous system dysregulation, and histamine-related illness, while sharing practical insights into how she approaches assessment and treatment in clinical practice. In this episode, you'll learn: * The difference between histamine intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) * Why these conditions share many of the same symptoms but require different treatment approaches * How DAO and HNMT enzymes help regulate histamine in the body * Common causes of histamine intolerance, including gut dysfunction, SIBO, mould exposure, oxalates, and hormone imbalances * Why MCAS symptoms are often more severe, unpredictable, and triggered by non-food factors * The connection between mould mycotoxins, chronic inflammation, and mast cell activation * Which laboratory tests may be helpful—and why some commonly recommended tests have limited clinical value * Joanne's clinical approach to identifying and treating the root causes of histamine-related symptoms Whether you're navigating histamine intolerance, suspect MCAS, or you're a healthcare practitioner wanting a deeper understanding of these complex conditions, this episode provides practical, evidence-informed insights to help you take the next step towards better health. ✨ Want more? Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joannekennedynaturopath/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Joannekennedynaturopathy1], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OVEwjTcNYfAg3_NrVK-xQ] for updates and tips. 📘 New to this journey? Buy The Ultimate Bundle for Managing Histamine Intolerance [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/the-ultimate-bundle-for-managing-histamine-intolerance-2/]—your step-by-step guide to manage your histamine intolerance effectively.  🧪 Curious about your methylation status? Try our at-home Methylation Test! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/methylation-test/] In just 15 minutes, discover if you're over-methylating or under-methylating and receive targeted supplement recommendations to help rebalance. Use code HISTAMINEWELL10 for 10% off. 🎓 Practitioner or student? Join the waitlist for the Histamine & Methylation Online Group Coaching Course [https://joanne-kennedy.mykajabi.com/hmc-application] starting early 2026! 📆 Work with us 1:1! Book a consultation [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/consultations/] and take your first step to real healing. 🎤 Have a topic suggestion? Submit it here! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/ask-a-question-or-suggest-a-topic/]

52. Clinical Experience Of Working With Women On Bioidentical Oestrogen & Progesterone

Many women enter their 40s expecting a few hormonal changes, but are often unprepared for the anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, low mood, histamine symptoms, weight changes, and nervous system shifts that can accompany perimenopause. In this episode, Joanne shares her clinical and personal experience working with women through perimenopause and menopause, including her own journey with bioidentical oestrogen and progesterone. She discusses the signs of low oestrogen and progesterone, the limitations of standard hormone testing, and how bioidentical hormone therapy may support women during this transition. You'll learn: * The difference between perimenopause and menopause * Common symptoms of low oestrogen and low progesterone * How hormonal changes can influence histamine intolerance and mast cell activation * Why hormone blood tests don't always tell the full story * The potential benefits and challenges of bioidentical oestrogen and progesterone * The connection between hormones, anxiety, sleep, mood, energy, libido, and weight * Why hormone therapy should be individualised rather than one-size-fits-all Whether you're navigating perimenopause yourself or supporting women through this stage of life, this episode offers practical insights to help you better understand the relationship between hormones, histamine, and healthy ageing. ✨ Want more? Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joannekennedynaturopath/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Joannekennedynaturopathy1], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OVEwjTcNYfAg3_NrVK-xQ] for updates and tips. 📘 New to this journey? Buy The Ultimate Bundle for Managing Histamine Intolerance [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/the-ultimate-bundle-for-managing-histamine-intolerance-2/]—your step-by-step guide to manage your histamine intolerance effectively.  🧪 Curious about your methylation status? Try our at-home Methylation Test! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/methylation-test/] In just 15 minutes, discover if you're over-methylating or under-methylating and receive targeted supplement recommendations to help rebalance. Use code HISTAMINEWELL10 for 10% off. 🎓 Practitioner or student? Join the waitlist for the Histamine & Methylation Online Group Coaching Course [https://joanne-kennedy.mykajabi.com/hmc-application] starting early 2026! 📆 Work with us 1:1! Book a consultation [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/consultations/] and take your first step to real healing. 🎤 Have a topic suggestion? Submit it here! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/ask-a-question-or-suggest-a-topic/]

51. Methylation Optimisation: What The Biohacking Trend Gets Wrong

Methylation has become one of the hottest topics in functional medicine, biohacking, and wellness. From MTHFR testing to methylated supplements, many people are being told that boosting methylation is the key to better energy, mood, detoxification, hormone balance, and longevity. But what if more methylation isn't always better? In this episode, Joanne explores the science behind methylation, the roles of MTHFR and COMT, and why relying solely on genetic reports can lead to inappropriate supplementation. Joanne explains the difference between undermethylation and overmethylation, the symptoms of excess methyl groups, and why many people experience worsening anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and other adverse effects when taking methylated supplements. Whether you're a practitioner, student, or someone navigating histamine intolerance, hormone imbalances, or chronic health concerns, this episode provides a balanced, evidence-informed perspective on one of today's most talked-about health trends. In this episode, you'll learn: * What methylation is and why it's essential for health * How methylation affects neurotransmitters, hormones, detoxification, and gene expression * The difference between undermethylation and overmethylation * The role of MTHFR, COMT, folate, and vitamin B12 in methylation pathways * Common symptoms of excess methyl groups * Why genetic testing alone doesn't tell the whole story * The potential risks of methylated supplements * A more personalised approach to methylation support ✨ Want more? Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joannekennedynaturopath/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Joannekennedynaturopathy1], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OVEwjTcNYfAg3_NrVK-xQ] for updates and tips. 📘 New to this journey? Buy The Ultimate Bundle for Managing Histamine Intolerance [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/the-ultimate-bundle-for-managing-histamine-intolerance-2/]—your step-by-step guide to manage your histamine intolerance effectively.  🧪 Curious about your methylation status? Try our at-home Methylation Test! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/methylation-test/] In just 15 minutes, discover if you're over-methylating or under-methylating and receive targeted supplement recommendations to help rebalance. Use code HISTAMINEWELL10 for 10% off. 🎓 Practitioner or student? Join the waitlist for the Histamine & Methylation Online Group Coaching Course [https://joanne-kennedy.mykajabi.com/hmc-application] starting early 2026! 📆 Work with us 1:1! Book a consultation [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/consultations/] and take your first step to real healing. 🎤 Have a topic suggestion? Submit it here! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/ask-a-question-or-suggest-a-topic/]

50. Is PMDD a Histamine Problem? H1 and H2 Blockers Explained

Could histamine be contributing to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)? In this episode of The Histamine Well Podcast, Joanne explores the growing interest in the connection between PMDD, histamine intolerance, mast cell activation, and hormonal fluctuations. As more women report improvements in PMDD symptoms with antihistamines, the question is gaining attention: could histamine be a missing piece of the PMDD puzzle? Joanne breaks down the science behind the estrogen-histamine feedback loop, explains how histamine interacts with estrogen and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle, and discusses why some women experience worsening mood symptoms during the luteal phase. You'll learn about the role of mast cells, neurotransmitters, neuroinflammation, and hormone sensitivity in PMDD, as well as the potential benefits and limitations of H1 and H2 antihistamines. Joanne also shares her clinical observations on histamine-related hormone symptoms and why addressing underlying drivers of histamine excess may be essential for long-term symptom improvement. In This Episode You'll Learn: * What PMDD is and how it differs from PMS * The relationship between histamine and women's hormones * How estrogen can increase histamine levels * The role of progesterone in histamine regulation * Mast cell activation and hormone-related symptoms * Why histamine may worsen anxiety, irritability, and mood swings * The science behind H1 and H2 blockers * Potential risks of long-term antihistamine use * Histamine's effects on neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine * The connection between PMDD, MCAS, and histamine intolerance * Why methylation may play a role in PMDD symptoms * Common root causes of histamine excess, including SIBO, mold exposure, oxalates, and gut dysfunction * Natural strategies for addressing histamine-related hormone symptoms ✨ Want more? Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joannekennedynaturopath/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Joannekennedynaturopathy1], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OVEwjTcNYfAg3_NrVK-xQ] for updates and tips. 📘 New to this journey? Buy The Ultimate Bundle for Managing Histamine Intolerance [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/the-ultimate-bundle-for-managing-histamine-intolerance-2/]—your step-by-step guide to manage your histamine intolerance effectively.  🧪 Curious about your methylation status? Try our at-home Methylation Test! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/methylation-test/] In just 15 minutes, discover if you're over-methylating or under-methylating and receive targeted supplement recommendations to help rebalance. Use code HISTAMINEWELL10 for 10% off. 🎓 Practitioner or student? Join the waitlist for the Histamine & Methylation Online Group Coaching Course [https://joanne-kennedy.mykajabi.com/hmc-application] starting early 2026! 📆 Work with us 1:1! Book a consultation [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/consultations/] and take your first step to real healing. 🎤 Have a topic suggestion? Submit it here! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/ask-a-question-or-suggest-a-topic/]

49. Mould & Mitochondria: Why You're Still Exhausted (and What's Really Driving It)

Persistent fatigue is one of the most common—and most frustrating—symptoms experienced by people with mould illness. Many find that despite sleeping more, resting, pacing themselves, and trying countless supplements, the exhaustion simply doesn't improve. In this episode of The Histamine Well Podcast, Joanne explores the hidden connection between mould illness and mitochondrial dysfunction, revealing why fatigue can persist long after mould exposure has been identified. You'll learn how three key factors often work together to impair cellular energy production: * Mycotoxins and their direct toxic effects on mitochondria * Sulfur depletion and reduced glutathione production * Oxalate accumulation and mitochondrial stress Joanne explains how these mechanisms can disrupt ATP production, increase oxidative stress, and contribute to symptoms such as chronic fatigue, brain fog, muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, post-exertional malaise, pain sensitivity, and temperature dysregulation. This episode also explores the important relationship between mould exposure, gut dysbiosis, SIBO, sulfur metabolism, and oxalate overload—factors that are frequently overlooked when addressing ongoing fatigue and recovery from mould illness. Whether you're a practitioner, student, or someone navigating chronic health challenges, this episode provides valuable insights into the biological processes driving fatigue and what may need to be addressed for meaningful recovery. In this episode, you'll discover: * How mould toxins damage mitochondrial function * Why fatigue often persists despite rest and sleep * The critical role of sulfur in energy production and detoxification * How oxalates can contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction * Common signs of mould-related mitochondrial impairment * Why addressing mould exposure alone may not be enough for recovery ✨ Want more? Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joannekennedynaturopath/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Joannekennedynaturopathy1], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OVEwjTcNYfAg3_NrVK-xQ] for updates and tips. 📘 New to this journey? Buy The Ultimate Bundle for Managing Histamine Intolerance [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/the-ultimate-bundle-for-managing-histamine-intolerance-2/]—your step-by-step guide to manage your histamine intolerance effectively.  🧪 Curious about your methylation status? Try our at-home Methylation Test! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/methylation-test/] In just 15 minutes, discover if you're over-methylating or under-methylating and receive targeted supplement recommendations to help rebalance. Use code HISTAMINEWELL10 for 10% off. 🎓 Practitioner or student? Join the waitlist for the Histamine & Methylation Online Group Coaching Course [https://joanne-kennedy.mykajabi.com/hmc-application] starting early 2026! 📆 Work with us 1:1! Book a consultation [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/consultations/] and take your first step to real healing. 🎤 Have a topic suggestion? Submit it here! [https://joannekennedynaturopathy.com/ask-a-question-or-suggest-a-topic/]