Serotonin: The Smile-Frown Chemical

Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain, blood platelets, and mainly in the digestive system (up to 90%). Its scientific name is 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT. This chemical is a neurotransmitter that delivers messages between our nerve cells. Most of our 40 million brain cells are communicating with serotonin. It is derived from tryptophan which is an essential amino acid, which means that we must obtain this chemical from outside sources.

Tryptophan is found in foods like nuts, red meat, and cheese. The normal range for serotonin levels in your blood is 101–283 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) which can be determined by a blood test. However, blood tests don’t reveal the brain’s level of serotonin and there is currently not a way to do this. 

Serotonin plays a number of roles in the body. It helps with eating, digestion, bone health maintenance, healing wounds, sleeping, and helps to reduce and regulate anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is often called the “happy chemical” because of its role in mood stabilization. When it comes to digestion, serotonin is found in the stomach and intestines and is involved in our bowel movements. This chemical also can be a danger to osteoporosis because high levels of serotonin cause the bones to weaken. Serotonin also helps with our sleep-wake cycle. Low levels of this chemical have been associated with depression and an imbalance can affect anxiety, happiness, and overall mood. Men and women should have about the same amount of serotonin, however, since depression is more common in women it is believed that men and women respond to low levels of serotonin differently.

When serotonin is balanced in the body, that person feels calmer, more focused, and emotionally stable. Regular exercise can be a mood enhancer as well. On the other hand, when serotonin levels are high, a person becomes at risk for tumors in the colon, small appendix, bronchial tubes, and appendix.

There are natural approaches to try to increase serotonin levels in the body. A heathy diet rich in protein can help, including foods like nuts, cheese, eggs, turkey, salmon, pineapple, and tofu. 

When serotonin levels are low, specifically in the brain, a person may suffer from insomnia, anxiety, and/or depression. Doctors can prescribe an antidepressant, also called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This medication is able to increase serotonin levels by blocking the brain’s ability to reabsorb the chemical. This makes serotonin remain active. Common SSRI’s are Zoloft and Prozac.

It is important to pay attention to any warning signs that might indicate a serotonin imbalance in the body. This chemical truly does affect every part of the body including mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Be sure to speak to a doctor to seek help when any out of the ordinary symptoms occur.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin

https://www.healthline.com/health/serotonin-deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471964/

https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/foods-that-could-boost-your-serotonin