Description
Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for regulating mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. Primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract's enteric nervous system, serotonin plays a vital role in mood stabilization, sleep regulation, and body temperature control (thermoregulation). Additionally, it impacts digestion by influencing bowel movements and assists in blood clotting by helping constrict blood vessels. Low serotonin levels have been linked to conditions like depression, anxiety, and insomnia, while excessively high levels can lead to serotonin syndrome, a condition marked by symptoms such as fever, seizures, and osteoporosis. Serotonin is also involved in maintaining appetite and cognitive function, further emphasizing its broad influence on both mental and physical health. Ensuring optimal serotonin balance is key to improving emotional stability, mental well-being, and overall bodily function.
Functions in the Body
Category
Deficiency Symptoms
A deficiency in serotonin may result in anxiety, panic disorders, attention disorders, eating disorders, social phobias, lack of joy, anger, digestive complaints, feeling overly dependent on others, hypervigilance, low self-esteem, and poor cognitive function.
Synergy & Antagonism
Serotonin production is closely tied to tryptophan and vitamin B6, which act synergistically to enhance its synthesis. Dopamine and norepinephrine can antagonize serotonin, as they compete for neurotransmitter balance in the brain.
Serotonin
Warnings
Caution is advised when supplementing serotonin precursors, as it may interact with medications such as SSRIs or MAO inhibitors.
Food Sources
Serotonin is produced from tryptophan, which can be found in foods such as milk, cheese, turkey, chicken, shrimp, salmon, tuna, sardines, flax seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds, kidney beans, chickpeas, apples, bananas, peaches, avocado, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and onions.
Time Frame
Serotonin production is linked to circadian rhythms, so maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle may support its optimal levels.
Depleted By
Serotonin production is linked to circadian rhythms, so maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle may support its optimal levels.