The red wine trap: Why your "self-care" might be fueling your 3 am marathon

From histamine spikes to a 148 HRV: Decoding the symptoms of the shift

Lately, my inbox has been flooded with invitations to speak about the menopause and perimenopause. It’s a topic I’ve taught to over 650 medical professionals, but now, it’s personal. I’m 45, exactly two years older than my mother was when she was diagnosed with cancer. I feel incredibly healthy, yet I am acutely aware that my biology is shifting.

People ask me, "Naomi, how do you deal with the symptoms?"

My answer? I don't "suffer" from symptoms. I treat them as biological data. I don't let the menopause "happen" to me; I lead my system through it. But even as an expert, I recently hit a wall that looked a lot like a beautiful bottle of organic Portuguese red wine.

The mystery of the "lost self"

I love a good glass of wine. But lately, I’ve noticed a disturbing shift. When I drink red wine, I feel like I’m "losing myself." It’s not a hangover; it’s a psychological shift, a restless feeling that lingers long after the alcohol should be gone. Interestingly, a beer doesn't do this to me (though I try to avoid gluten where possible).

As a physician in an addiction clinic, I had to look at the biochemistry. Why the difference?

The GABA showdown: Beer vs. wine

Alcohol is a "false brake." It mimics GABA (the calming neurotransmitter), which is why that first sip feels like a relief. But the comedown is where the trouble starts.

• Beer: Contains hops. Hops are naturally GABAergic (containing humulone and lupulone), which can provide a milder, more sedative landing.
• Red wine: This is a chemical cocktail. Red wine is high in histamines and tyramine. In your 40s, as estrogen fluctuates, your ability to break down histamines (via the DAO enzyme) often decreases.
• The result: Instead of a smooth landing, red wine triggers a massive glutamate rebound. Your brain isn't just waking up at 3 am because the alcohol is gone; it’s waking up because your brain is literally "on fire" from the histamine-induced glutamate surge. You feel "wired," anxious, and—as I experienced—a bit lost.

The "dirty" truth about the grape

Even though I mainly drink organic wines, I have to be aware that grapes consistently sit at the top of the "Dirty Dozen." This is the list of fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue. These pesticides are often neurotoxic endocrine disruptors. When you ferment grapes into wine, you are concentrating these chemicals. For a liver already managing hormonal shifts, these pesticides are the straw that breaks the camel's back.

The ultimate biohack: The 148 HRV breakthrough

But here is where the data got truly interesting.

While my "clean sleep stack" (Glycine, Theanine, and Magnesium) was helping me stabilize, I hit a record-breaking HRV of 148 this week. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a sign of a healthy, resilient nervous system. For a woman under the pressure of a legal "inquisition," this number is nearly impossible.

What changed? It wasn't just the supplements. It was a dream.

I dreamt that I had truly forgiven my ex. It was a deep, visceral release of an old burden. In that moment of sleep, my nervous system reached a state of what is called ventral-vagal safety, a state of peace that no pill can replicate. My heart rate variability shot up because I had finally let go of the "moral noise" that was keeping my system on high alert.

From suffering to self-care: Decoding the voice

To understand these shifts, I use a technology called Voice Analysis (VA). This system decodes the frequency and vibration patterns of the human voice to provide insight into emotional and physical well-being.

When I compared my analysis from last year to my results now, the shift was undeniable. Last year, my voice patterns showed the "spikes" of a brain running a constant marathon, markers of deep-seated stress and unresolved emotional blocks. Today, those patterns are smoothing out. By identifying my "Personal Key", the specific DNA-related frequency that makes "me be me", I have been able to reprogram my system for recovery.

Reclaiming your rest

I haven't "solved" the menopause. I’ve simply started listening to the data. When my body says "no" to red wine, I don't mourn the drink; I celebrate the clarity of the message. My "marathon brain" was being fueled by both chemical triggers and emotional weight. By addressing both, I found the brake.

Are you tired of "suffering" through your symptoms? Let’s decode your biological data together and turn it into a recovery plan.