What is the "cheese effect"?

The "cheese effect" refers to a phenomenon that occurs when certain individuals take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors), which are a type of antidepressant, and consume foods high in tyramine, such as certain cheeses like Parmesan. According to Andrew Huberman, this effect happens because these foods contain high levels of tyramine, a derivative of tyrosine, which can lead to excessive amounts of dopamine in the system. Since MAO inhibitors prevent the breakdown of dopamine, this combination can cause adverse effects such as potent migraines, headaches, and increased blood pressure 1.