I don't think it's likely an allergy. Both my wife and I experienced a sedative like effect upon eating the pie. I would rule out the brown sugar (molasses) and other ingredients as we intake them somewhat often. Although the combination might change things a little. Only commonality between us was the algin. I'm not just talking about a little sleepy effect that happens naturally from a meal but drug like induced type of weariness. I'm looking at the pecan nuts and algin as being the players here. Maybe this is a great find, but maybe it was nothing.