Verywell / Nez Riaz
Serotonin is a naturally occurring monoamineneurotransmitterthat carries signals between nerve cells throughout your body.
Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is also considered a hormone.
Most of the serotonin in your body is actually found in yourgut, not your brain.
Verywell / Nez Riaz
What Exactly Does Serotonin Do?
Serotonin is known to be involved in many bodily functions, ranging from regulating mood to digesting food.
Mood
Serotonin’s effects on the brain could be considered its starring role in the body.
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
It also plays a protective role in the gut.
For example, if you eat something irritating or toxic, your gut responds by producing more serotonin.
The extra dose moves the unwanted food along, expelling it from your body more quickly.
The serotonin-melatonin relationship might also contribute tosleep disruptionslike insomnia, which are common in people with depression.
The parts of your brain that are responsible for regulating sleep also have serotonin receptors.
Dopamine will keep you awake.
As they get smaller, blood flow slows.
Serotonin’s influence on libido is also somewhat related to its relationship to dopamine.
Tryptophan, an essential amino acid involved in serotonin production, can only be obtained through diet.
Signs of Low Serotonin
How do you know if your serotonin levels may be low?
This is why prescription antidepressant medications are used to treat clinical depression and other mood disorders.
There are also natural ways to increase serotonin levels.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are themost commonly prescribed antidepressantsworldwide.
When brain cells send signals to one another, they release neurotransmitters, including serotonin.
Before they can send the next signal, the cells must reabsorb and recycle the neurotransmitters they have released.
This process is calledreuptake.
SSRIs make more serotonin available in the brain by blocking the serotonin reuptake process.
Trintellix (vortioxetine) is a similar drug.
Drugs that act on both serotonin and norepinephrine are sometimes referred to as dual-acting antidepressants.
Talk to your healthcare provider before starting an exercise routine.
have a go at spend 10 to 15 minutes outside in the sun each day.
Sunlight also boosts your levels of vitamin D, which is needed for serotonin production.
You don’t even need a professional massage to reap the benefits.
Certain medications and supplements can raise serotonin levels too much, which can lead toserotonin syndrome.
Too much serotonin can also cause an increase in anxiety or nervousness.
Always ask your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement toincrease low serotonin.
Serious cases of serotonin syndrome can be fatal if left untreated.
And while low levels of serotonin can cause problems, having too much serotonin can also be an issue.
If you’re concerned about the symptoms you’re experiencing, talk to your healthcare provider.
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