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Neurotransmitters that generate feelings of happiness can also be harmful at high levels.

Edited and resized image by frank mckenna is available on Unsplash

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is a substance produced in the serotonergic neurons of the Central Nervous System and in the enterochromaffin cells of animals (including humans), and is also found in mushrooms and plants. It is responsible for inhibiting sensations such as anger, aggression, body heat, bad mood, sleep, vomiting and appetite.

Made from the essential amino acid tryptophan, serotonin is present in abundance (90%) in the gastrointestinal tract and in small amounts stored in platelets in the bloodstream.

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What is the function of serotonin?

Serotonin acts throughout the body, influencing from emotions to motor skills. It is considered a natural mood stabilizer, helps regulate sleep, hunger and digestion and is important for maintaining bone health, stimulating nausea, healing wounds, stimulating bowel movements and reducing depression and anxiety.

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Interestingly, high levels of serotonin can lead to osteoporosis and decreased libido; while, conversely, low serotonin levels increase libido. When serotonin is at its normal levels, it provides a sense of happiness, calm, focus, and emotional stability. A 2007 study found that people with depression often have low levels of serotonin. Serotonin deficiency has also been linked to anxiety and insomnia.

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However, there is controversy, while some studies question the relationship between serotonin levels and depression; other more recent studies, done with mice, concluded that those animals that had higher serotonin levels had less anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. However, it is unclear whether low serotonin levels contribute to depression, or whether depression causes a drop in serotonin levels.

Normal blood levels of serotonin are typically 101 to 283 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). When this value is too high, it can be a sign of Carcinoid Syndrome, which involves a group of symptoms related to tumors in the small intestine, appendix, colon and bronchi.

When serotonin is too low there can be depression, anxiety and sleep problems. Many doctors prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to treat depression. They are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant (usually marketed under the names Zoloft and Prozac). They increase serotonin levels in the brain, blocking its reabsorption, causing more serotonin to remain active.

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When you are taking serotoninergic drugs, you should not use other medications without first seeking medical help, as the mixture of medications may put you at risk for developing serotoninergic syndrome.

Natural Serotonin Stimulators

Edited and resized image by Peter Lloyd is available on Unsplash

According to a study published by Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, there are some natural serotonin stimulators, which can be:

• Exposure to Light: Sunlight or light therapy are commonly recommended remedies for the treatment of seasonal depression;
• Physical exercise;
• Healthy diet (tofu, pineapple, walnuts, among others);
• Meditation.

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Serotonin Syndrome

Drugs that cause serotonin levels to rise and build up quickly in the body can lead to Serotonin Syndrome. This condition usually occurs when the person starts taking a new medication or increases its dosage. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:

• shiver
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Confusion
• pupil dilation
• Goosebumps
• Muscular contraction
• Loss of muscle agility
• muscle stiffness
• High fever
• fast heart rate
• High pressure
• Convulsion

It is necessary for your doctor or doctor to perform a physical examination to make the diagnosis. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome usually disappear within a day after taking a drug that blocks serotonin, or a drug that replaces the drug that is causing the illness. If left untreated, serotonin syndrome can be fatal.