Everything You Need To Know About Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone influencing mood, digestion, sleep, and healing. Produced mostly in the gut from tryptophan, it helps stabilize emotions, regulate bowel movements, and support wound healing.

Scientifically known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), it acts like a neurotransmitter and hormone. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin carries messages between nerve cells in your brain (your central nervous system) and throughout your body (your peripheral nervous system). These chemical messages tell your body how to work.

Serotonin plays several roles in your body, including influencing learning, memory, happiness as well as regulating body temperature, sleep, sexual behaviour and hunger. Lack of enough serotonin is thought to play a role in depression, anxiety, mania and other health conditions.

Bowel movements: About 90% is produced in the intestines, controlling bowel functions.

Mood: Serotonin in the brain regulates happiness and anxiety; SSRIs enhance serotonin activity to treat mood disorders.

Nausea: Helps induce nausea in response to illness or irritation.

Sleep: Regulates wakefulness and transitions between REM and non-REM sleep.

Blood clotting: Platelets release serotonin to stop bleeding and heal wounds.

Sexual functions: Influences sex drive, with some medications causing side effects.

Serotonin plays a role in mental health, but depression involves complex factors beyond serotonin deficiency. While antidepressants targeting serotonin remain key treatments, they work alongside psychotherapy for the best outcomes.

Natural boosters of Serotonin include sunlight, exercise, a balanced diet, and meditation. Supplements like tryptophan and St. John's wort may help but should be used cautiously under medical advice to avoid serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin Syndrome

Excess serotonin from medications or supplements can cause serotonin syndrome, leading to symptoms like nausea, tremors, anxiety, or severe issues such as muscle stiffness or rapid heart rate. Immediate medical attention is crucial.

Serotonin syndrome can happen when you: