What If Heavy Hydrogen Is Slowing the Brain?

Exploring Deuterium, Glyphosate, and Parkinson’s Disease with Dr. Stephanie Seneff

At our Parkinson’s retreat on Stout’s Island, we were joined by Dr. Stephanie Seneff, a senior research scientist at MIT who has spent over a decade tracing the hidden biochemical threads between environmental toxins and chronic disease. Her talk centered on three key players—deuterium, glyphosate, and cardiolipin—and how they might be entangled in the story of Parkinson’s.

Let’s walk through these concepts together.

Deuterium: The Heavy Hydrogen Hiding in Plain Sight

Hydrogen is the lightest element, but not all hydrogen atoms are the same. Most are made of a single proton. Deuterium, however, is a rare version—an isotope—that also has a neutron, making it about twice as heavy. You’ll find it in water and throughout nature in trace amounts. But when it accumulates beyond a certain threshold, it begins to interfere with the body’s nanomachines—particularly the mitochondria, where our cells make energy.

Imagine trying to ride a bicycle with sandbags attached to the frame. That’s what excess deuterium does to cellular machinery—especially the mitochondria. The mitochondrial ATPase, which produces cellular energy (ATP), is especially vulnerable to this slowdown, leading to reduced energy output and increased oxidative stress.

Glyphosate: The Microbiome Disruptor with a Hidden Agenda

Glyphosate—the active ingredient in Roundup—is a synthetic herbicide widely used in modern agriculture. Its known mechanism is to block a plant enzyme needed for amino acid synthesis, but Dr. Seneff and others have proposed broader impacts in mammals, particularly at the microbiome level.

Glyphosate structurally mimics glycine, a simple but crucial amino acid. The concern is that enzymes requiring glycine might mistakenly incorporate glyphosate instead, altering their shape and function. Among these enzymes are those involved in managing hydrogen metabolism and producing butyrate—a short-chain fatty acid made by gut bacteria that supports gut lining integrity and calms immune responses.

Butyrate is also naturally low in deuterium. So, if glyphosate reduces butyrate production, this might indirectly raise deuterium levels, further stressing the mitochondria.

The Gut-Brain Axis and Parkinson’s

Dr. Seneff drew a striking connection between gut health and Parkinson’s: early pathology often starts in the gut, with misfolded proteins like alpha-synuclein traveling via the vagus nerve to the brain. Reduced butyrate, increased gut permeability, and microbial imbalance may all play a role in seeding this process.

She pointed to Bifidobacteria—beneficial microbes essential to gut health—as being highly sensitive to glyphosate exposure. When these microbes are suppressed, butyrate levels fall, and opportunistic pathogens may flourish.

Histamine and the Deuterium Trap

Another intriguing part of the discussion involved histamine—a compound released during allergic responses. Histamine contains a structure called an imidazole ring, which can bind deuterium. The enzyme histaminase, which breaks down histamine, is glycine-rich and likely vulnerable to glyphosate.

Dr. Seneff proposed that histamine and its metabolites may act as deuterium sponges, helping to remove heavy hydrogen from circulation. But if histaminase is impaired, this system could break down, allowing excess histamine and deuterium to accumulate—possibly activating mast cells and driving chronic inflammation.

Cardiolipin: The Mitochondrial Phospholipid with a Mission

Cardiolipin is a special fat molecule unique to mitochondria. It has four fatty acid chains—many of which are polyunsaturated and contain bisallylic carbons, ideal binding sites for deuterium. These bisallylic carbons are specific carbon atoms located between two double bonds. What makes them special is their high reactivity—they're prone to oxidation, but they also have a unique ability to bind deuterium atoms more tightly than other molecular sites.

Dr. Seneff suggested that these bisallylic carbons in cardiolipin might help trap deuterium, pulling it away from delicate structures like the mitochondrial membrane. In this way, cardiolipin could be acting like a deuterium “filter,” shielding mitochondrial function. In Parkinson’s, where damaged mitochondria and misfolded proteins clump together in Lewy bodies, she theorized that cardiolipin might be helping to lock away excess deuterium—perhaps as part of the body’s natural containment strategy.

What Can We Do?

The picture Dr. Seneff painted is complex, but hopeful. By understanding how deuterium, glyphosate, and gut health intersect, we may be able to shift the terrain. Supporting butyrate-producing bacteria, reducing glyphosate exposure (through organic food and careful sourcing), and possibly using binders like humic and fulvic acids ( I like BEAM Minerals - you can check out my interview with Caroline Alan of BEAM on our BiotiQuest YouTube Channel) to mop up toxins may all play a role.

I talk a lot about the microbiome here on Martha's Quest. Restoring this critical internal ecosystem is essential for your long term well being and what you put in your body has a profound effect. Other resources I have discussed about diet (Dr. Laurie Mischley's work) and exercize (John's Pedaling for Parkinson's Program) and Chi Gong should be part of your toolkit for supporting your microbiome.

Summary

Stephanie Seneff from MIT discussed the potential role of deuterium and glyphosate in Parkinson's disease, highlighting how glyphosate might disrupt deuterium homeostasis by interfering with enzymes and the gut microbiome's ability to produce deuterium-depleted nutrients like butyrate. Stephanie Seneff proposed that histamine metabolites and cardiolipin could trap deuterium, and cardiolipin might be involved in sequestering deuterium in Lewy bodies associated with Parkinson's. Martha Carlin and Daniel Paredes also participated in the discussion, raising questions about cardiolipin antibodies, PPIs, antihistamines, and potential countermeasures to glyphosate like humic and fulvic acids.

A more technical review of the talk for those interested in the deeper science lingo! You can watch the video on our YouTube Channel here

• Introduction to Deuterium and Parkinson's Disease Stephanie Seneff, a senior research scientist at MIT, introduced the topic of the role of deuterium and glyphosate in Parkinson's disease (00:01:28). Stephanie has been researching toxic chemicals and disease since 2007 and has published over 30 peer-reviewed papers (00:00:00). They expressed excitement about deuterium and mentioned a pre-print paper on the topic that has received positive reviews (00:01:28).

• Deuterium Basics and Mitochondrial Function Stephanie Seneff explained that deuterium is a heavier isotope of hydrogen that can disrupt mitochondrial ATPases, leading to energy loss and reactive oxygen species. Defective mitochondria are linked to many chronic diseases. Stephanie noted that the gut mucins and blood vessel linings contain sulfated glycosaminoglycans, which they believe help trap deuterium (00:02:25). Glyphosate can interfere with proteins involved in deuterium homeostasis (00:03:42).

• Glyphosate and Parkinson's Disease Link Stephanie Seneff highlighted a 2023 Lancet paper suggesting glyphosate as a potential causal factor in Parkinson's disease, which is the fastest-rising neurological disease worldwide. Pesticides can negatively affect the gut microbiome, and neurodegenerative processes can spread from the gut to the brain via the vagus nerve. Stephanie cited multiple studies showing glyphosate's association with mitochondrial stress, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction (00:03:42).

• Gut Microbiome and Deuterium Depleted Nutrients Stephanie Seneff discussed how gut microbes produce hydrogen gas, which is remarkably depleted in deuterium. This gas is recycled into deuterium-depleted organic nutrients by other microbes. Enzymes involved in this process rely on glycine, which could be substituted by glyphosate, potentially impairing hydrogen recycling and contributing to gut issues. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid sourced from hydrogen gas, is also low in deuterium and suppresses mass cell activation and histamine release, relevant to Parkinson's disease (00:07:07).

• Glyphosate's Impact on Gut Microbiome and Butyrate Stephanie Seneff referenced a study on BTBRI mice (a model for autism) showing reduced acetate levels in the gut with glyphosate exposure. Glyphosate raises gut pH, hindering acetate-producing bacteria, leading to butyrate deficiency (00:10:03). Children with autism also show reduced acetate in stool samples. Butyrate, produced by secondary degraders in the gut from dietary fiber, is a preferred fuel for colonocytes and is likely deuterium-depleted (00:11:04).

• Bifidobacteria and Gut Health Stephanie Seneff emphasized the crucial role of Bifidobacteria in gut health, citing a paper showing their beneficial effects in a colitis mouse model. Bifidobacteria reduce inflammation, enhance tight junction health, inhibit pathogen growth, and increase short-chain fatty acid production like butyrate. Notably, Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are sensitive to glyphosate, leading to their reduction and potential overgrowth of pathogens (00:12:14).

• Histamine, Mast Cell Activation, and Deuterium Stephanie Seneff proposed that mast cells release histamine in response to allergens, and histamine contains an imidazole ring that can trap deuterium. Histamine is metabolized by histaminase, which Stephanie hypothesizes is suppressed by glyphosate (00:13:12). They suggested that excessive deuterium in the gut lumen might induce mast cell activation, and histamine metabolites could permanently sequester deuterium (00:14:19).

• Glyphosate Susceptibility of Histaminase Stephanie Seneff identified histaminase as having a strong glyphosate susceptibility motif due to multiple glycine residues at phosphate-binding sites. They published a paper theorizing deuterium sequestering by reactive carbon atoms, specifically in molecules like histamine and its metabolites, due to the imidazole ring's ability to trap deuterium (00:15:41). This trapping could reduce deuterium levels in the body's water-based medium (00:16:45).

• Imidazole Ring and Deuterium Trapping Stephanie Seneff explained the unique ability of the carbon atom in the imidazole ring to hold onto deuterium even in environments where other oxygen and nitrogen atoms readily exchange it (00:16:45). They discussed a study showing the pH-dependent deuterium uptake by different imidazole-containing molecules, with imidazol propionate (IPA) showing a high reaction rate at higher pH (00:17:45). Stephanie hypothesized that histamine or histidine metabolites trap deuterium when the gut lumen becomes too basic, acting as "deuterium landmine" removers (00:18:40).

• IPA Production and Diabetes Link Stephanie Seneff noted that IPA is produced by gut microbes under basic conditions and its presence is strongly associated with diabetes. They theorized that diabetes might be linked to excessive deuterium, and IPA's deuterium-trapping ability could be a protective mechanism (00:18:40). Stephanie cited a theory aligning with their glyphosate perspective, suggesting that an increased colon pH (possibly due to decreased short-chain fatty acids from glyphosate) could increase IPA production (00:19:55). Glyphosate's role in raising gut pH and increasing ammonia production (disrupting protein metabolism) further supports this (00:20:55).

• Cardiolipin and Deuterated Fatty Acids Stephanie Seneff introduced cardiolipin, a unique mitochondrial phospholipid with four fatty acid chains, crucial for oxidative phosphorylation and rich in DHA, which has bisallylic carbon atoms considered deuterium traps (00:21:56). They proposed that lipids in Lewy bodies (associated with Parkinson's) might be trapping deuterium, sequestering it away from mitochondria (00:23:05). Deuterated DHA has been shown to protect retinal cells from lipid peroxidation by quenching chain reactions (00:23:58).

• Bisallylic Carbons and Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effect Stephanie Seneff explained that bisallylic carbons in polyunsaturated fatty acids are reactive and can potentially trap deuterium (00:23:05). A study on deuterated arachidonic acid showed that deuterium on a specific bisallylic carbon (C10) significantly alters reaction rates, shutting down pro-inflammatory enzymes and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory resolins (00:24:57). This suggests inflammation might be a process to gather deuterium in lipids (00:26:03).

• Cardiolipin's Role in Deuterium Management Stephanie Seneff discussed a study showing deuterated linoleic acid preferentially incorporates into cardiolipin, suggesting cardiolipin's potential role in protecting mitochondria from oxidative stress by trapping deuterium (00:26:03). They hypothesized that cardiolipin acts as a filter, allowing protons through for ATP production while trapping deuterons at bisallylic carbon atoms, preventing membrane peroxidation. Cardiolipin's interaction with misfolded proteins like alpha-synuclein, leading to pore formation and mitochondrial damage, might also be a mechanism to sequester deuterium in mitochondrial debris within Lewy bodies (00:28:11).

• Summary and Concluding Thoughts Stephanie Seneff summarized that gut microbes deplete deuterium from organic molecules via hydrogen gas recycling, a process disrupted by glyphosate. Parkinson's disease may begin in the gut with reduced deuterium-depleted butyrate. Histamine metabolites and cardiolipin may trap deuterium, and cardiolipin might seed alpha-synuclein misfolding to sequester deuterium in Lewy bodies, reducing mitochondrial exposure. Stephanie suggested that an organic diet rich in low-deuterium nutrients might protect against Parkinson's disease (00:30:48).

• Discussion on Cardiolipin Antibodies and Microbial Cardiolipin Martha Carlin mentioned the presence of elevated antibodies to cardiolipin in Parkinson's patients and the fact that some pathogenic microbes also produce cardiolipin similar to human cardiolipin. Stephanie Seneff found this information very interesting (00:31:58).

• Questions on PPIs and Antihistamines Daniel asked about Stephanie Seneff's perspective on the chronic use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antihistamines (00:32:45). Stephanie stated that while antihistamines might alleviate symptoms of histamine sensitivity, they don't address the underlying issue, which they believe is often linked to glyphosate exposure affecting histaminase. They suggested that addressing the root cause by avoiding glyphosate is crucial (00:33:44).

• Humic and Fulvic Acids and Glyphosate Martha Carlin relayed a question about the potential of fulvic and humic acids to counteract glyphosate's impact. Stephanie Seneff acknowledged hearing about these substances, noting that they can act as binders and humic acid might contain enzymes capable of breaking down glyphosate, although this is theoretical (00:33:44). They highlighted the difficulty in breaking glyphosate's carbon-phosphorus bond (00:34:39).

• Data on Mast Cells in Parkinson's Mullen from Tulane University praised Stephanie Seneff's mass cell hypothesis and inquired about the type of data from a Parkinson's colonic biopsy that would support or refute the involvement of mast cell biology (00:34:39). Stephanie admitted difficulty in providing a specific answer but suggested looking at deuterium levels in feces as a potential indicator of healthy deuterium trapping mechanisms in the gut (00:35:38).

• Connection through Llo and Mannitol Production Martha Carlin mentioned a past connection with Stephanie Seneff through Llo Boros, a pioneer in deuterium research (00:36:45). Martha described developing a probiotic to produce mannitol in the gut for their husband's Parkinson's, based on research showing mannitol's ability to inhibit protein aggregation. They proposed that the process of mannitol production from glucose and fructose could potentially deplete deuterium in the body (00:37:40).

• Metabolic Pathways and Deuterium Isomers Stephanie Seneff found the idea of sugar isomerases potentially stripping or trapping deuterium fascinating (00:37:40). They noted that mannitol is not readily metabolized, similar to a cholesterol metabolite they found intriguing, speculating that these non-metabolized compounds might sequester deuterium in places like cardiovascular plaques (00:39:01). Stephanie suggested analyzing plaque for deuterium content as a preliminary step in testing this theory (00:39:42).