What ingredient in the pictured energy drink causes paresthesias?
Beta-alanine. This amino acid is mediated through the MrgprD receptor found in the skin, and is not histamine dependent
Liu Q, Sikand P, Ma C, Tang Z, Han L, Li Z, Sun S, LaMotte RH, Dong X. Mechanisms of itch evoked by β-alanine. J Neurosci. 2012 Oct 17;32(42):14532-7. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3509-12.2012. PMID: 23077038; PMCID: PMC3491570.
Contributed by: Thaddeus Whiting, DO MSFS
Posted in Question Of The Day