Low serotonin in the brain

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.

Exercise

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.

Read on to learn what serotonin deficiency is and how it can affect your body.

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

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.

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.

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.

Your doctor may prescribe a urine test in combination with blood tests to test for serotonin-producing tumors, but not for serotonin deficiency.

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.

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

Exercise

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.

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.

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.

What you need to know about serotonin

Serotonin is an important monoamine neurotransmitter and hormone that acts in both the brain and the gut. It plays a large role in daily behavior, affecting appetite, emotions, mood, movement, cognition, circadian rhythm, and the "unconscious" nervous system (vegetative). Discovered in the 1940s, serotonin plays a key role in the homeostasis system and many intestinal functions.

Serotonin imbalance is associated with a wide range of symptoms that affect mental and physical health and quality of life. Increasing serotonin levels helps those who suffer from anxiety, depression, migraine or irritable bowel syndrome. Most often, it is during these diseases that the level of serotonin is low. Low serotonin levels have also been linked to depression, intestinal problems, some symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and other health outcomes.

Monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine affect mood. A meta-analysis of 90 studies found that patients who were deficient in tryptophan, serotonin, or tyrosine experienced low mood. An imbalance of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can contribute to bipolar disorder. Low levels of serotonin reduce melatonin levels, which disrupts the sleep-wake cycle.

Fortunately, there are ways to increase the level of serotonin in the body. This will help you take supplements and foods, some of which are already present in our diet.

Foods that increase serotonin levels.

Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan. Foods containing tryptophan:
1) Eggs
According to recent studies, the protein in eggs can significantly increase the level of tryptophan in the blood plasma. Yolks are rich in tryptophan and tyrosine, choline, biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that contribute greatly to maintaining health.

2) Cheese
Cheese is another great source of tryptophan.

3) Tofu
Soy products are rich sources of tryptophan. We can add tofu to almost any dish.

4) Salmon
In addition, salmon has other beneficial properties: maintaining cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure. It is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids.

5) Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are a good source of fiber, vitamins, antioxidants and tryptophan.

6) Turkey
Turkey meat also contains tryptophan.

Unlike tryptophan, serotonin is not found in foods. Foods high in protein, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6 tend to be high in this amino acid. While foods high in tryptophan do not by themselves increase serotonin levels, there is a trick to the system. These are carbohydrates, as they cause the body to secrete more insulin. Insulin promotes the absorption of amino acids and an increase in the activity of tryptophan in the blood.

So if you eat a diet high in tryptophan and carbohydrates, you increase your serotonin levels. For best results, consume the above foods with a serving of healthy carbohydrates such as rice, oatmeal, or whole grain bread.

Healthy habits that increase serotonin levels.

1) Stress reduction
Cortisol is a hormone released by the body during times of stress. High stress or high cortisol levels can lower your serotonin levels. How to reduce stress? This will help training, yoga and meditation.

2) Exercise
Fatigue after physical activity increases the amount of tryptophan that can cross the blood-brain barrier and increases serotonin production.

3) Yoga and meditation
Yoga and meditation can improve mood and relieve symptoms of various types of depression. Meditation activates many parts of the brain that are important for understanding yourself, emotions, problem solving, and awareness.

4) Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy significantly increases serotonin activity and reduces symptoms of depression.

5) Music
Music has been shown in research to increase neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

6) Dancing
Dancing also increases serotonin levels.

Physical treatments that increase serotonin levels:

1) Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback allows people to consciously change their brain activity and therefore change their behavior and cognition. Fibromyalgia patients have found that they experience less pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression after this procedure.

2) Massage
Massage lowers cortisol levels and raises serotonin and dopamine levels. Massage has been proven to be able to cope with health problems associated with stress.

3) Acupuncture
In a clinical study in 75 women with fibromyalgia, acupuncture increased serotonin levels.

4) Light Therapy
Bright light therapy (photobiomodulation) shows promising results in the treatment of depression.

5) Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve
Scientists conducted a study on rats. Long-term stimulation of the vagus nerve (for 14 days) increased the level of serotonin in the brains of rats.

Serotonin-increasing supplements:

Consult your physician before taking supplements. Follow his recommendations regarding their dosage.

L-tryptophan
L-tryptophan is used in the body to produce 5-HTP, from which serotonin is made. An increase in L-tryptophan can increase plasma serotonin levels, relieving cognitive, motor, or intestinal problems. In one study, women with PMS took supplements daily for 14 days. They noticed that their mood improved, irritability decreased, sleep problems and cravings for carbohydrates disappeared.

Probiotics
In the digestive tract, probiotics restore the gut microbiome and influence the gut-brain interaction. Gut bacteria are important because they can produce tryptophan, from which serotonin is made.

Vitamin D
If vitamin D levels are low, there will be less serotonin in the brain. Thus, increasing vitamin D intake increases serotonin levels, reducing the risk of psychiatric disorders.

Omega-3 fatty acids
While vitamin D helps neurons produce serotonin, omega-3s help neurons release serotonin and increase its activity. Fish such as salmon or trout are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are also sold as fish oil capsules.

St. John's wort
St. John's wort is a popular herb used as an antidepressant for mild depression. The plant increases serotonin levels in the brain, similar to typical antidepressants, but with fewer side effects.

Vitamin B
Lack of vitamin B may contribute to the occurrence of mental disorders. The body needs vitamin B6 to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin from 5-HTP. Vitamins B12 and B9 are needed to convert tryptophan to serotonin.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C supplementation for 6 weeks increased brain serotonin levels in rats.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E supplementation for 8 weeks increased serotonin levels in rats suffering from spinal cord injury.

Magnesium and zinc
Minerals such as zinc and magnesium may have antidepressant effects. Zinc can be increased through foods such as red meat, oysters, and whole grains. Magnesium is found in green leafy vegetables, nuts and beans.

Turmeric
In mice, a single dose of curcumin (10–80 mg/kg) increased serotonin levels.

L-theanine
Green tea has the highest concentration of L-theanine and has a relaxing effect on the mind.

Rhodiola rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a herb that helps reduce anxiety and depression. In a clinical study, 89 patients with mild to moderate depression and low serotonin levels took extracts of Rhodiola rosea (340 mg/day and 680 mg/day) for 42 days. They reduced symptoms of depression, including insomnia and emotional instability.

Saffron
30 mg per day of saffron capsules may improve depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder for 6-8 weeks.

Magnolia
Magnolia bark and ginger root are commonly used to treat mental disorders in traditional Chinese medicine.

Essential oils
Essential oils are commonly used to reduce anxiety, stress, bad mood and other mental disorders. The smell of essential oils (their inhalation) can increase the production of serotonin and dopamine. What types of oils we recommend: ylang-ylang, Surinamese cherry, lavender oil, orange, almond and bergamot.

Ginseng
Ginseng releases serotonin and increases its activity in the brain.

Valerian
Valerian plant root increases serotonin levels and activity.

How to know the level of serotonin

It is impossible to measure the levels of serotonin in a person's brain without a brain biopsy. Indirect markers that are good indicators of brain serotonin levels are cortisol levels and HIAA levels in the blood or urine.

Risks
Excess serotonin can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. Usually, excess serotonin occurs in people who take too many medications. MDMA, LSD, and other synthetic drugs can cause serotonin syndrome and should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.

What is serotonin and what is it for?

Serotonin is a chemical that has a wide range of functions in the human body. It is sometimes referred to as the “feel good hormone” and the “happiness hormone.”

The scientific name for serotonin is 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT. Serotonin is mainly found in the brain, intestines, and platelets.
Serotonin is used to send messages between nerve cells, is believed to be involved in smooth muscle contraction, and promotes positive emotions, among other things. As a precursor to melatonin, it helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycles and internal clock.

It is believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood and motor, cognitive and autonomic functions of the body. However, it is not known for sure whether serotonin directly affects these functions, or plays a general role in the coordination of the nervous system. Serotonin is likely involved in the regulation of social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual function. Low levels of serotonin are associated with the development of depression, however, it is still unclear whether low levels of serotonin contribute to depression or depression causes a decrease in serotonin levels. Serotonin-altering drugs are used to treat depression, nausea, and migraines, and they may also improve obesity and Parkinson's disease. Other ways to increase serotonin levels in the body include boosting mood, sunlight, exercise, and diet.

Serotonin is formed from the amino acid tryptophan. Sunlight is absolutely essential for the synthesis of serotonin.

Serotonin is generally considered to be a neurotransmitter, although some consider it a hormone. Serotonin is synthesized in the intestines and brain. It is also present in platelets and the central nervous system (CNS). It is believed that it affects various body functions and psychological state. Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.

As a neurotransmitter, serotonin ensures the transmission of signals between nerve cells (neurons), regulating their intensity. It is believed that it plays a key role in the functioning of the central nervous system and the body as a whole, especially the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have found links between serotonin and bone metabolism, breast milk production, liver regeneration, and cell division. Serotonin affects the brain. The main part of serotonin in the body is located in the gastrointestinal tract, where it regulates all its functions, including intestinal motility. Serotonin also plays a role in reducing appetite during meals. Serotonin affects mood, levels of anxiety and happiness. Serotonin promotes the formation of blood clots. When damage occurs, serotonin is released from platelets, resulting in constriction of blood vessels, reduced blood flow, and the formation of blood clots. When toxic or irritating substances enter the gastrointestinal tract, the intestines produce more serotonin to increase the transit time of food and eliminate the irritant. Serotonin also stimulates the vomiting center in the brain, causing nausea. Some scientists have linked high levels of serotonin in the bones to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Serotonin appears to inhibit sexual activity. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels in people with depression by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed, resulting in increased synapse levels, but 20 to 70 percent of people who take them experience a range of symptoms associated with sexual dysfunction.

It is not yet fully understood what exactly causes depression, but the main theory of the last 50 years is that the cause of depression may be an imbalance of neurotransmitters or hormones in the body. Depression has been linked to low levels of serotonin, but whether this remains a cause of depression or a consequence of it is still unclear.
However, scientists are currently questioning the role of serotonin or any single neurotransmitter in depression.

With a deficiency of serotonin, memory impairment and bad mood are observed. Also, low levels of serotonin can lead to cravings for sweet or starchy foods, poor sleep, low self-esteem, anxiety, and aggression.

Can serotonin really help with depression?
SSRIs have been used since the 1980s to treat depression by increasing serotonin levels. Medications such as SSRIs are thought to relieve symptoms of depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the body, but exactly how they work is unclear. Some scientists have suggested that increasing serotonin levels is unlikely to directly improve depression symptoms. One problem is that it is possible to measure serotonin levels in the blood, but not in the brain. Researchers don't know if circulating serotonin levels reflect brain serotonin levels, or if SSRIs can actually affect brain serotonin levels. A 2014 study in mice found that serotonin does not play a role in causing depression. A population of mice was created whose brains did not produce serotonin. These mice showed no signs of depression even when they were under stress.
However, in 2015, other scientists found that mice lacking serotonin were more susceptible to social stressors than healthy control mice. While SSRIs appear to help some people with depression, some scientists now argue that "the simple biochemical theories that link low serotonin levels to depressed mood are no longer reliable." SSRIs are also used to treat symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Antiserotonergic drugs that act on serotonin receptors are used to treat nausea caused by chemical toxins, including drugs used in chemotherapy and general anesthesia.

Serotonergic vasoconstrictive anti-migraine drugs or triptans can reduce migraine symptoms and are well tolerated.

The serotonergic system is associated with cognition, emotions and motor functions. Changes in this system can affect the motor and non-motor functions commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. Currently, research in this area is ongoing.

Hypersensitivity to one of the female hormones, progesterone, appears to lower brain serotonin levels. Serotonin inhibitors are sometimes used to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome at the time they occur.

Serotonin can also be used in the treatment of obesity and irritable bowel syndrome.

Serotonin syndrome occurs most often when a person takes two drugs that increase serotonin levels at the same time and is associated with excessive stimulation of the CNS and peripheral serotonin receptors. The simultaneous use of drugs prescribed by a doctor and, for example, dietary supplements that increase serotonin levels, can lead to the development of serotonin syndrome. Also, the development of serotonin syndrome is possible with cancerous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, since such tumors can cause too much release of serotonin. Signs of serotonin syndrome are agitation and anxiety, confusion, rapid heartbeat and increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, diarrhea, headaches, muscle tremors, sweating, incoordination, muscle rigidity. In severe, life-threatening cases, hyperthermia, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and loss of consciousness are possible.

There are simple and affordable ways to increase the level of serotonin in the body, not associated with the use of drugs. These include, for example, a change in thinking as a result of psychotherapy or self-induction, which can increase serotonin levels, since the interaction between serotonin synthesis and mood is two-way. Physical exercise has an antidepressant effect. Eating foods high in tryptophan can improve mood by increasing serotonin levels.

Tryptophan is an amino acid found in food. Some research has linked higher dietary tryptophan intake to positive mood scores because tryptophan increases serotonin levels. Tryptophan is found in high-protein foods such as turkey, eggs, salmon, milk, soy products, and cheese. Bananas also contain serotonin and can be included in your diet to boost your mood. Tryptophan is a precursor, the main ingredient needed by the body to produce serotonin. Eating foods high in this important chemical does not mean the body will absorb and use it. But the availability of tryptophan, if necessary, will improve the synthesis of serotonin.

In a number of studies, older adults who were given dietary supplements with tryptophan showed improved cognitive abilities. Currently, the idea of the influence of the gut microbiota on the CNS is gaining ground.

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