Introduction
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in humans that’s responsible for maintaining mood balance. Scientists believe that serotonin levels can influence “mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and function” (“What is serotonin?”, 2015).
Production & Location
Serotonin is created through a biochemical conversion process in which tryptophan, an amino acid, is combined with tryptophan hydroxylase to form 5-hydroxytryptamine (or 3-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol), or serotonin. It’s created in both the brain and intestines. Serotonin used in the brain must be created in the brain. 80-90% of serotonin is found in the body’s gastrointestinal tract, while about 5% is found in the brain (“What is serotonin?”, 2015; Manson, 2009) .
Function & Effects
While low levels of serotonin in the brain have been correlated with depression, it is unclear whether depression causes low levels of serotonin or low levels of serotonin causes depression. Additionally, low levels of serotonin have been linked to social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, bulimia, phobias, and bipolar disorder. In the gastrointestinal system, serotonin helps to control the contractions that force food through the digestive tract. Serotonin also helps to regulate the sleep cycle and circadian rhythms and has been linked to dreaming. It can also affect heart rate, breathing rate, blood clotting, and sexual desire (Coila, 2015).
Reuptake of Serotonin
In normal, functioning neurons, serotonin is released into the synapse where some molecules bind to receptors in the postsynaptic nerve. Some serotonin remaining in the synapse is reabsorbed (reuptake) by the presynaptic nerve. This decreases levels of serotonin in the synapse, but in people experiencing depression, the levels of serotonin are too low due to the reuptake of too much serotonin (“What is serotonin?”, 2015). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) inhibit this reuptake and thus increase the serotonin levels in the synapse and receptors, leading to more neuron stimulation (“What is serotonin?”, 2015).
Increasing Serotonin Levels
Proper diet and adequate exercise naturally increase serotonin levels. Drugs containing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prevent the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing serotonin levels in the synapses, allowing for more serotonin to bind to the postsynaptic nerve. FDA approved drugs include Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, Pexeva, and Zoloft though side effects like nausea, nervousness, dizziness, and insomnia may ensue ("What is serotonin?", 2015).
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in humans that’s responsible for maintaining mood balance. Scientists believe that serotonin levels can influence “mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and function” (“What is serotonin?”, 2015).
Production & Location
Serotonin is created through a biochemical conversion process in which tryptophan, an amino acid, is combined with tryptophan hydroxylase to form 5-hydroxytryptamine (or 3-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol), or serotonin. It’s created in both the brain and intestines. Serotonin used in the brain must be created in the brain. 80-90% of serotonin is found in the body’s gastrointestinal tract, while about 5% is found in the brain (“What is serotonin?”, 2015; Manson, 2009) .
Function & Effects
While low levels of serotonin in the brain have been correlated with depression, it is unclear whether depression causes low levels of serotonin or low levels of serotonin causes depression. Additionally, low levels of serotonin have been linked to social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, bulimia, phobias, and bipolar disorder. In the gastrointestinal system, serotonin helps to control the contractions that force food through the digestive tract. Serotonin also helps to regulate the sleep cycle and circadian rhythms and has been linked to dreaming. It can also affect heart rate, breathing rate, blood clotting, and sexual desire (Coila, 2015).
Reuptake of Serotonin
In normal, functioning neurons, serotonin is released into the synapse where some molecules bind to receptors in the postsynaptic nerve. Some serotonin remaining in the synapse is reabsorbed (reuptake) by the presynaptic nerve. This decreases levels of serotonin in the synapse, but in people experiencing depression, the levels of serotonin are too low due to the reuptake of too much serotonin (“What is serotonin?”, 2015). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) inhibit this reuptake and thus increase the serotonin levels in the synapse and receptors, leading to more neuron stimulation (“What is serotonin?”, 2015).
Increasing Serotonin Levels
Proper diet and adequate exercise naturally increase serotonin levels. Drugs containing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prevent the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing serotonin levels in the synapses, allowing for more serotonin to bind to the postsynaptic nerve. FDA approved drugs include Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, Pexeva, and Zoloft though side effects like nausea, nervousness, dizziness, and insomnia may ensue ("What is serotonin?", 2015).
Sources
What is serotonin? What doe serotonin do? (2015, February 12). Retrieved May 18, 2015.
Manson, E. (2009, September 12). Where Is Serotonin Produced in the Body? Retrieved May 18, 2015.
Coila, B. (2015, May 12). Effects of Serotonin on the Body. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015.
What is serotonin? What doe serotonin do? (2015, February 12). Retrieved May 18, 2015.
Manson, E. (2009, September 12). Where Is Serotonin Produced in the Body? Retrieved May 18, 2015.
Coila, B. (2015, May 12). Effects of Serotonin on the Body. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015.