Depleted serotonin symptoms
Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Treatments
Serotonin, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is best known for the part it plays in mood and behavior.
But did you know that it also affects your sleep, appetite, digestion, and more? Low levels of serotonin can have wide-ranging effects on your mental and physical health.
Serotonin deficiency occurs when serotonin doesn’t act as well as it should in your body. This can happen if your body doesn’t produce enough serotonin or if it doesn’t use serotonin efficiently.
Scientists don’t yet understand exactly how serotonin works, what it does, and what causes low levels in the body. They’re also not certain exactly what the right levels are and how these might vary for different people.
Read on to learn what serotonin deficiency is and how it can affect your body.
Serotonin deficiency is a complex condition for which there are no diagnostic criteria and no clear tests. It’s generally discussed in terms of the symptoms that result, rather than the exact levels that might bring it on.
Serotonin deficiency has been linked to many physical and psychological symptoms. However, its exact role in any of them isn’t fully understood. Much research continues within the medical and scientific communities.
For example, researchers continue to debate the link between serotonin and depression. The connection between sleep and serotonin is also controversial. About the only thing researchers agree on is that serotonin’s function in the human body is complex and far-reaching.
Research has found that the overwhelming amount of serotonin in your body — 95 percent — is produced in the lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The remaining 5 percent is produced in your brain. There it acts as a neurotransmitter that carries signals between brain nerve cells (neurons).
Some research about serotonin has to do with its role in what is called the gut-brain axis. This is a communication line between the central nervous system and the enteric, or intestinal, nervous system.
This effectively links the brain and the gut, giving rise to the name: gut-brain axis.
Research has shown that some of the serotonin produced in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract moves through your body in circulating platelets, or tiny blood cells, to help regulate important body processes such as:
- immune response
- bone development
- digestion
- cardiac function
Study of serotonin’s role in this gut-brain axis is relatively new, and ideas are changing rapidly. Much further research is needed.
Below, we’ll discuss the symptoms of serotonin deficiency and what may cause it. We’ll also outline ways to increase your serotonin levels.
Serotonin deficiency may be a contributing factor in many psychological and physical symptoms.
Psychological symptoms
Serotonin deficiency is associated with many psychological symptoms. These may include:
- anxiety
- depressed mood
- aggression
- impulsive behavior
- insomnia
- dementia and cognitive decline
Low serotonin levels are also associated with various behavioral and emotional conditions, including:
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder
- suicidal behavior
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- social anxiety disorder
Serotonin deficiency affects people differently.
For example, research shows that people who haven’t experienced depression previously may not become significantly depressed with lower levels of serotonin, whereas those with a history of depression may.
Physical symptoms
Research has begun to show serotonin’s activity in increasing numbers of bodily processes, including:
- metabolism
- sleep
- blood clotting
- energy balance
- digestion
- body sugar balance
- cardiac function
- liver function
- immune system response
- pain production
Given serotonin’s wide scope of bodily functioning, it comes as no surprise that serotonin deficiency has been associated with many physical conditions, including:
- obesity
- diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
- fatigue
- osteoporosis
- gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome
Scientists are unsure what causes serotonin deficiency. Some research shows early life stressors might negatively affect the transport of serotonin in the body.
Other research shows that microbes in the gut help produce serotonin. This production might be disrupted when the microbiome, or gut bacteria as a whole, is disturbed because of stress, disease, diet, or other causes.
Both of these studies were done with animals, and researchers emphasized that further clinical research is needed.
Other potential causes of serotonin deficiency include:
- chronic stress
- nutritional deficiencies
- digestion issues
- certain drugs
- hormone changes
- lack of sunlight
Lower levels of serotonin are also thought to be related to a person’s particular biology, which may include:
- fewer or less effective serotonin receptors
- a body that breaks down serotonin or absorbs it too soon
- low levels of substances used to produce serotonin, including L-tryptophan, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids
Medical professionals generally don’t diagnose serotonin deficiency and choose instead to treat the symptoms.
This is because serotonin deficiency is a complex condition whose cause is very difficult to nail down. There are no diagnostic criteria, and it’s often unclear whether the symptoms cause the deficiency or the deficiency causes the symptoms.
There’s a test that measures the amount of serotonin in your blood, but medical professionals typically use this test only to check for tumors that produce serotonin outside of the brain. Your blood level of serotonin doesn’t accurately reflect the amount in your brain.
Serotonin generally can’t pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is a semi-permeable barrier surrounds your brain that lets some substances pass through, but not others.
This means that serotonin in your brain must be produced in your brain. For this reason, your body’s overall blood levels of serotonin are unreliable measurements of the amount of serotonin in your brain.
Urine tests are equally unreliable measures of your brain serotonin.
They measure the amount of serotonin that your body is producing and how much is in your body, but they don’t measure the amount in your brain.
Your doctor may prescribe a urine test in combination with blood tests to test for serotonin-producing tumors, but not for serotonin deficiency.
If you think you have symptoms of a serotonin deficiency, it’s best to work with a medical professional to narrow down potential causes and develop a treatment plan. Read on to learn about potential treatments.
Your doctor will probably treat your symptoms of serotonin deficiency in one of the following ways.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first-line treatment of symptoms of serotonin deficiency such as depression and anxiety.
SSRIs help your body use serotonin more efficiently. They don’t create more serotonin.
Only a portion of the serotonin that your brain releases is used by your body.
Some of the serotonin goes back into the cell that it came from. SSRIs block some of this reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin, leaving more available for the body to use.
SSRIs commonly used include:
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
Natural remedies
SSRIs can take weeks to have an effect, and sometimes they may not work at all. Also, they can also cause a range of side effects that you may not tolerate well.
When SSRIs do work, they work very well and are a good option. Sometimes, if one SSRI doesn’t work, another one will.
If SSRIs aren’t the best treatment for you, you might ask your doctor about one of the following options.
Mood induction
Mood induction is an experimental treatment in which you create a positive mood by doing something you like or thinking about something that lifts your mood. Music, film clips, and imagery are common methods.
Research shows that physical activity can raise brain serotonin levels by increasing both its production and its release in the brain.
Regular exercise is useful, but aerobic exercise is the most effective type of exercise for boosting serotonin levels. Aerobic exercises include:
- walking
- running
- swimming
Diet
Research suggests a diet high in tryptophan may help increase serotonin levels in the body. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid in the body that is needed for the production of serotonin.
Significant amounts of tryptophan will probably not be absorbed into the brain from foods. Regularly consuming a variety of foods containing tryptophan may combine to make a difference, especially when combined with healthy carbs like whole grains or oatmeal.
Try these seven foods to start adding tryptophan to your diet.
Other substances that are thought to promote serotonin production in the body include:
- vitamin D
- B vitamins
- omega-3 fatty acids
Bright light
Research has shown that exposure to bright light — such as from the sun or a light box — may boost serotonin levels in your brain.
Serotonin deficiency can have far-reaching effects on both your mental and physical health. After more than 70 years of research, scientists and researchers still don’t entirely understand how serotonin is produced and used in the body.
If you have symptoms that make you think you might have a serotonin deficiency, talk with a doctor. Together, you can decide the best treatment options for you.
You might also try natural remedies, such as adding more sunlight, certain foods, and aerobic exercise to your lifestyle. These are best used as add-ons to medical treatment, not substitutions.
Serotonin deficiency is a complex condition, and a medical professional is the best person to guide you through it.
Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Treatments
Serotonin, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is best known for the part it plays in mood and behavior.
But did you know that it also affects your sleep, appetite, digestion, and more? Low levels of serotonin can have wide-ranging effects on your mental and physical health.
Serotonin deficiency occurs when serotonin doesn’t act as well as it should in your body. This can happen if your body doesn’t produce enough serotonin or if it doesn’t use serotonin efficiently.
Scientists don’t yet understand exactly how serotonin works, what it does, and what causes low levels in the body. They’re also not certain exactly what the right levels are and how these might vary for different people.
Read on to learn what serotonin deficiency is and how it can affect your body.
Serotonin deficiency is a complex condition for which there are no diagnostic criteria and no clear tests. It’s generally discussed in terms of the symptoms that result, rather than the exact levels that might bring it on.
Serotonin deficiency has been linked to many physical and psychological symptoms. However, its exact role in any of them isn’t fully understood. Much research continues within the medical and scientific communities.
For example, researchers continue to debate the link between serotonin and depression.
The connection between sleep and serotonin is also controversial. About the only thing researchers agree on is that serotonin’s function in the human body is complex and far-reaching.
Research has found that the overwhelming amount of serotonin in your body — 95 percent — is produced in the lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The remaining 5 percent is produced in your brain. There it acts as a neurotransmitter that carries signals between brain nerve cells (neurons).
Some research about serotonin has to do with its role in what is called the gut-brain axis. This is a communication line between the central nervous system and the enteric, or intestinal, nervous system. This effectively links the brain and the gut, giving rise to the name: gut-brain axis.
Research has shown that some of the serotonin produced in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract moves through your body in circulating platelets, or tiny blood cells, to help regulate important body processes such as:
- immune response
- bone development
- digestion
- cardiac function
Study of serotonin’s role in this gut-brain axis is relatively new, and ideas are changing rapidly.
Much further research is needed.
Below, we’ll discuss the symptoms of serotonin deficiency and what may cause it. We’ll also outline ways to increase your serotonin levels.
Serotonin deficiency may be a contributing factor in many psychological and physical symptoms.
Psychological symptoms
Serotonin deficiency is associated with many psychological symptoms. These may include:
- anxiety
- depressed mood
- aggression
- impulsive behavior
- insomnia
- dementia and cognitive decline
Low serotonin levels are also associated with various behavioral and emotional conditions, including:
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder
- suicidal behavior
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- social anxiety disorder
Serotonin deficiency affects people differently. For example, research shows that people who haven’t experienced depression previously may not become significantly depressed with lower levels of serotonin, whereas those with a history of depression may.
Physical symptoms
Research has begun to show serotonin’s activity in increasing numbers of bodily processes, including:
- metabolism
- sleep
- blood clotting
- energy balance
- digestion
- body sugar balance
- cardiac function
- liver function
- immune system response
- pain production
Given serotonin’s wide scope of bodily functioning, it comes as no surprise that serotonin deficiency has been associated with many physical conditions, including:
- obesity
- diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
- fatigue
- osteoporosis
- gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome
Scientists are unsure what causes serotonin deficiency. Some research shows early life stressors might negatively affect the transport of serotonin in the body.
Other research shows that microbes in the gut help produce serotonin. This production might be disrupted when the microbiome, or gut bacteria as a whole, is disturbed because of stress, disease, diet, or other causes.
Both of these studies were done with animals, and researchers emphasized that further clinical research is needed.
Other potential causes of serotonin deficiency include:
- chronic stress
- nutritional deficiencies
- digestion issues
- certain drugs
- hormone changes
- lack of sunlight
Lower levels of serotonin are also thought to be related to a person’s particular biology, which may include:
- fewer or less effective serotonin receptors
- a body that breaks down serotonin or absorbs it too soon
- low levels of substances used to produce serotonin, including L-tryptophan, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids
Medical professionals generally don’t diagnose serotonin deficiency and choose instead to treat the symptoms.
This is because serotonin deficiency is a complex condition whose cause is very difficult to nail down. There are no diagnostic criteria, and it’s often unclear whether the symptoms cause the deficiency or the deficiency causes the symptoms.
There’s a test that measures the amount of serotonin in your blood, but medical professionals typically use this test only to check for tumors that produce serotonin outside of the brain. Your blood level of serotonin doesn’t accurately reflect the amount in your brain.
Serotonin generally can’t pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is a semi-permeable barrier surrounds your brain that lets some substances pass through, but not others.
This means that serotonin in your brain must be produced in your brain. For this reason, your body’s overall blood levels of serotonin are unreliable measurements of the amount of serotonin in your brain.
Urine tests are equally unreliable measures of your brain serotonin. They measure the amount of serotonin that your body is producing and how much is in your body, but they don’t measure the amount in your brain.
Your doctor may prescribe a urine test in combination with blood tests to test for serotonin-producing tumors, but not for serotonin deficiency.
If you think you have symptoms of a serotonin deficiency, it’s best to work with a medical professional to narrow down potential causes and develop a treatment plan. Read on to learn about potential treatments.
Your doctor will probably treat your symptoms of serotonin deficiency in one of the following ways.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first-line treatment of symptoms of serotonin deficiency such as depression and anxiety.
SSRIs help your body use serotonin more efficiently. They don’t create more serotonin.
Only a portion of the serotonin that your brain releases is used by your body. Some of the serotonin goes back into the cell that it came from. SSRIs block some of this reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin, leaving more available for the body to use.
SSRIs commonly used include:
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
Natural remedies
SSRIs can take weeks to have an effect, and sometimes they may not work at all.
Also, they can also cause a range of side effects that you may not tolerate well.
When SSRIs do work, they work very well and are a good option. Sometimes, if one SSRI doesn’t work, another one will.
If SSRIs aren’t the best treatment for you, you might ask your doctor about one of the following options.
Mood induction
Mood induction is an experimental treatment in which you create a positive mood by doing something you like or thinking about something that lifts your mood. Music, film clips, and imagery are common methods.
ExerciseResearch shows that physical activity can raise brain serotonin levels by increasing both its production and its release in the brain.
Regular exercise is useful, but aerobic exercise is the most effective type of exercise for boosting serotonin levels. Aerobic exercises include:
- walking
- running
- swimming
Diet
Research suggests a diet high in tryptophan may help increase serotonin levels in the body.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid in the body that is needed for the production of serotonin.
Significant amounts of tryptophan will probably not be absorbed into the brain from foods. Regularly consuming a variety of foods containing tryptophan may combine to make a difference, especially when combined with healthy carbs like whole grains or oatmeal.
Try these seven foods to start adding tryptophan to your diet.
Other substances that are thought to promote serotonin production in the body include:
- vitamin D
- B vitamins
- omega-3 fatty acids
Bright light
Research has shown that exposure to bright light — such as from the sun or a light box — may boost serotonin levels in your brain.
Serotonin deficiency can have far-reaching effects on both your mental and physical health. After more than 70 years of research, scientists and researchers still don’t entirely understand how serotonin is produced and used in the body.
If you have symptoms that make you think you might have a serotonin deficiency, talk with a doctor. Together, you can decide the best treatment options for you.
You might also try natural remedies, such as adding more sunlight, certain foods, and aerobic exercise to your lifestyle. These are best used as add-ons to medical treatment, not substitutions.
Serotonin deficiency is a complex condition, and a medical professional is the best person to guide you through it.
20 Health Problems Caused by Serotonin Deficiency
20 Health Problems Caused by Serotonin Deficiency - PRO AUTISM Reading time: 11 min.This article is based on research, that is, it has scientific evidence. Numbers in brackets (1, 2, 3) are active links to publications of peer-reviewed studies. nine0006 20 health problems caused by serotonin deficiency
Read: 10 610
Serotonin is best known as the neurotransmitter which modulates neural activity and a wide range of neuropsychological processes, and drugs that target the serotonin receptors are widely used in psychiatry and neurology. Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan via a short metabolic pathway consisting of two enzymes. Tryptophan is first converted to 5-hydroxytryptophan ( 5-HTP ) by tryptophan hydroxylase. In the second step, 5-HTP is converted to serotonin (5-HT) by the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzyme [ 1 ]. Any disruption of these mechanisms or damage to serotonin receptors can lead to a decrease in the overall effects of serotonin in the body. nine0006 When the level of serotonin is below normal, it can lead to dysfunction of the body and psychological disorders, which are known as serotonin deficiency [ 2 ]. Serotonin deficiency can be caused by: Interestingly, an animal study found that serotonin-deficient mice became more bisexual compared to controls. When animals were deficient of serotonin (by medication or diet free of tryptophan), this increased bisexual mating behavior (male) [8]. Lack of sexual preference appears to be related to changes in the sense of smell of pheromones. Males still had a sense of smell, but seem to gravitate toward other male pheromones [8]. nine0006 In a similar study, female serotonin-deficient mice preferred females to males [9]. A human male study has shown that heterosexual and homosexual men exhibit differences in neurotransmitter activity and respond differently to drugs that increase serotonin levels [10]. Based on these studies, serotonin deficiency may be related to sexual preference in humans. However, Sexual preference is determined by many factors, including neural structures in the brain that do not change with changes in serotonin , so it is unknown how much, if anything, increasing or decreasing serotonin will change sexual preference. We cannot extrapolate from animal studies to humans . In addition, studies have only been conducted in animals with severe serotonin depletion. We don't know what would be the case for people who only have a moderate deficiency. nine0006 Muscle contraction in the intestines (peristalsis) allows food and liquids to move through the digestive tract. When serotonin levels are low, it changes the magnitude and length of muscle cell signals and reduces the amount of calcium released from the cells. Consequently, the ability of the digestive muscles to contract, resulting in constipation [11]. Blood vessels need muscle contraction. Serotonin deficiency reduces the contraction of blood vessels, hence impairing blood flow throughout the body [2]. Serotonin plays a major role in the clotting process and is absorbed and stored in platelets where it can activate the clotting process. Mutations that reduce serotonin transporters (SERTs) counteract serotonin clotting [12]. nine0006 A pilot study in mice showed that due to low levels of serotonin, bleeding was prolonged even with the smallest cuts and scrapes, which were eliminated by treatment with serotonin [13]. Almost 95% of serotonin is produced and stored in the intestines. Serotonin deficiency can have a significant impact on gut function [14, 15]. Low levels of serotonin in the intestine impair the function of its muscles, causing irritable bowel syndrome with a predominance of constipation. Consequently, muscle disorders reduce intestinal motility or flow, making it difficult to pass stool [16]. nine0006 Diverticulitis occurs when bulging sacs that appear in the lining of the colon or colon become acutely infected or inflamed. Altered intestinal motility is an important feature of diverticulitis, which can be caused by a decrease in serotonin levels [14]. A pilot study of 51 patients showed that patients with diverticulitis had fewer gut serotonin transporters (SERTs) [16]. nine0006 Although changes in serotonin do not appear to be responsible for the development of diverticulitis, decreased SERT expression and function may be caused by inflammation and contribute to some of the symptoms [14]. In contrast, patients with celiac disease had elevated gut serotonin levels [16]. Serotonin deficiency in pregnant women can seriously affect fetal development, especially in early pregnancy. At the zygote (fertilized egg) stage, serotonin deficiency can disrupt cell division. Once implanted in the uterus, it can impair the development of fetal organs such as the brain, eyes, jaw, and blood vessels [17]. Animal studies have shown that serotonin deficiency correlates with immune system suppression. Fish with low levels of serotonin have shown decreased production and proliferation of immune cells, which weakens the immune system [18,19]. Also, in mice depleted of serotonin, there was a decrease in the production of immune cells [20, 21]. Low levels of serotonin can disrupt our biological clock (circadian rhythm). In particular, an animal study has shown that serotonin depletion disrupts the circadian rhythm and alters the number of hours of sleep [22,23]. Mice depleted of serotonin slept more during the day than at night [23]. Serotonin deficiency also led to symptoms depression , providing a possible link between serotonin, insomnia and depression [22]. An animal study showed that serotonin-depleted mice had more sodium cravings because they consumed more sodium than controls [24]. 5-HTP is involved in almost all behavioral changes observed in patients with anorexia. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to anorexia. Therefore, it has been suggested that tryptophan supplementation may help patients with anorexia [25]. nine0006 Excessive dietary restriction can lead to a decrease in serotonin stores in the brain. A review of several studies has shown that increasing serotonin levels can treat depression [26]. Other studies have shown that serotonin deficiency can cause relapse in depressed patients, but does not affect healthy people [27]. The demonstrated efficacy of 5-HT1A receptor partial agonists in anxiety disorders has highlighted the importance of these receptors. Increased anxiety was observed in mutant mice that lacked 5-HT1A receptors. [28]. An animal study found that mice with altered serotonin transporter receptor (SERT) or 5HT1A genes were more susceptible to more stress due to the presence of predators (cats) [29]. Tryptophan, a serotonin precursor, significantly reduced ADHD symptoms. Alterations in the 5HT1B serotonin receptor gene increased susceptibility to ADHD [30, 31]. Although it is not known exactly how they work, drugs that increase serotonin levels work better than placebo in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. These drugs block the reuptake of serotonin into the brain, increasing the amount of serotonin available [32]. nine0006 Panic attacks affect both the brain and the heart, as their main symptom is rapid heartbeat. Taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors reduces the symptoms of panic attacks by increasing the availability of serotonin [33]. Some studies have linked serotonin deficiency to social phobia. A study (DB-RCT) of 77 people diagnosed with social phobia found that drugs that increase serotonin levels improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and social phobia [34]. Moreover, a meta-analysis showed that drugs that increase serotonin levels are more effective in treating social phobia than benzodiazepines or antipsychotics [35]. A study has shown that mice with serotonin deficiency or without serotonin 5HT1B receptors exhibit more aggressive behavior [36,28]. Serotonin plays a role in causing migraine, although the exact mechanism is still unknown. Recent evidence suggests that deficiency of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, exacerbates migraine symptoms [37]. nine0006 The serotonin transporter (SERT) is involved in the mechanism of memory, determining the strength and extent of serotonin signals and interacting with other neurotransmitters [38, 39]. A recent study showed that serotonin-deficient rats, due to the lack of one or both copies of the SERT gene, had significantly impaired object memory, while those without such a deficiency were found to have highly functioning memory [38]. Serotonin levels can be increased in several ways, but serotonin itself cannot cross the barrier and enter the brain to have many of its effects, while tryptophan and 5-HT can. Exposure to bright sunlight, exercise, and increased tryptophan intake increase serotonin levels [40]. In addition, the consumption of carbohydrates, acting through the secretion of insulin, leads to an increase in tryptophan levels and, consequently, to an increase in the production of serotonin. Conversely, protein intake appears to decrease serotonin synthesis [41]. nine0006 Supplements that are good for increasing serotonin: 5-HTP and L-tryptophan. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs that prevent the reuptake of serotonin from outside cells, thereby increasing the availability of serotonin [32]. SSRIs are effective in treating various psychological disorders such as depression, addiction, social phobia, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder [42]. SSRIs are specific for serotonin and do not affect other neurotransmitters, causing fewer side effects that are observed with other antidepressants [42,43]. However, SSRIs may have side effects such as nausea, decreased libido, diarrhea, restlessness, tremors, and bone loss [42,44]. Go nine0000 Does low serotonin cause depression? No There is no strong evidence that low serotonin is the main cause of depression. This is the conclusion of an "exhaustive" review by British researchers that refutes the widely held belief that depression is the result of lower levels or reduced activity of this chemical. "These results question the rationale for using antidepressants. The claim that depression is caused by low serotonin levels is not based on evidence; if we were more honest and transparent with patients, we should have told them that an antidepressant might be useful in relieving their symptoms, but highly unlikely to be a solution or cure for their symptoms. The study was published July 20 in Molecular Psychiatry. The theory that low serotonin levels could be the cause of depression was first proposed in the 1960s, but researchers note that this was only one of several hypotheses. However, they report that this approach has taken hold and had significant impact over the decades and provided an important rationale for the use of antidepressants. nine0006 The authors add that with the advent of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the 1990s, this hypothesis gained even more publicity. Recent polls show that 80% or more of the population now believes in this theory. Most people think that depression is caused by a "chemical imbalance" in their brain or low levels of serotonin, and this is what many doctors tell depressed patients. It is known in academia that no conclusive evidence has been found for low serotonin in depression, but drug company marketing efforts have reinforced hypotheses about "chemical imbalances" and the effects of low serotonin. The authors investigated the following six hypotheses: Of 361 publications, 17 were selected for inclusion in the review. These included meta-analyses, systematic reviews, a genetic association study, and an umbrella review that included more than 165,000 patients. Tryptophan depletion was thought to lower serotonin levels and was used to study whether lower serotonin levels could lead to depression.
Symptoms such as migraines, frequent infections, constipation, depression, insomnia, memory loss, irritable bowel syndrome, social phobia, aggression, and even bi and homosexuality can be signs of a serotonin deficiency. Read on to learn about the health and brain implications of a serotonin deficiency. nine0006 
Causes of serotonin deficiency
Serotonin depletion can lead to bisexuality / homosexuality
Negative health effects of serotonin deficiency
1. Constipation
2. Impairs blood flow
3. Reduces the ability of blood to clot
Thus, a significant decrease in serotonin can worsen blood clotting [2]. 4. May cause constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
5. Diverticulitis
6. May affect fetal development
7. Impairs immune system function
8. Disrupts the biological clock
9. May increase cravings for salty foods
10. Anorexia nervosa
Negative effect of serotonin deficiency on the brain:
1) leads to major depressive disorder
2) causes generalized anxiety disorder
3) may increase the likelihood of PTSD 
4) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
5) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 6) panic attacks
7) social phobias
nine0006 8) increases aggression
9) Cause of migraine
10) impairs memory
How to increase serotonin
Drugs that increase serotonin
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