Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, it is a type of chemical that plays many important roles in the human body.
A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance, that transmits signals from one area of the brain to another area.
The nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells through electrochemical signals, which are known as chemical messengers.
Our brain is made up of unique types of cells called neurons or nerve cells, which count around 100 billion.
As we know dopamine is also responsible for pleasure and reward feelings known as (the pleasure neurotransmitter)

How serotonin is made?
Contents
Serotonin begins with the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is required in infant growth.
This amino acid commonly found in food like chocolate, oats, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, red meat, eggs, fish, etc.
If the body has a low level of tryptophan, then this leads to a serotonin deficiency level, and this can cause depression, sleep trouble, anxiety, etc.
It is made in the brain, but 80 to 90% is mostly found in the digestive system, also in blood platelets, and central nervous system (1).
What Does Serotonin Do?
It plays an vital role in the body it involves the regulation of various activities (e.g. behaviour, mood, and memory) (2).
Enough levels of ST in the body also help in:
- Preventing depression
- Help in controlling anxiety
- Heal wounds
- Maintain bone health
- Healthy s*xual life
- Learning and memory
- Regulate temperature
NOTE: Let’s see how ST works in different functions in our body:
Serotonin function affects cardiovascular health, muscles, and the endocrine system (a unique network of glands and organs).
Blood clotting: It helps the body to heal faster.
Sleep: Controls the sleep cycle by stimulating the brain area that is responsible for sleep-wake behaviour.
S*xual function: Enough levels in the body promote a healthy s*xual life, and too much level leads to a decrease in libido.
Regulate mood: This is very important because ST low and too high level leads to depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.
Nausea: Helps the body expel food quicker than normal.
Promote milk production: Research evidence shows that serotonin can regulate milk production in the breast.
However, another study saw that serotonin may obstacle in milk production and secretion in human mammary glands.
Too much and Too low ST Effect on Body
An adequate level of (ST) in the brain, we will feel positive, happy, feel good, and confident, which also boosts dopamine levels.
Low ST Level
If a person doesn’t have enough Serotonin levels in the brain, then this leads to negative effects on health include:
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Energy disbalance
- Digestion issue
- Increase sugar level
- Interact with liver function
- Effect immune system negatively
Its deficiency is also allied with many physical conditions which include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Fatigue
- The low bone density that leads to osteoporosis
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
The study showed that long-term serotonin deficiency in adults may affect dopamine, adrenaline and other hormones.
How to treat serotonin deficiency?
Many studies believe that increasing the lower level of serotonin reduces the risk of depression (4).
There are many ways to treat ST deficiency which include:
Certain medicines such as antidepressants are the most recommended for serotonin deficiency including anxiety and depression.
The natural way is another most recommended way to treat ST deficiency which includes:
- Bright light therapy: This treatment is very effective in both seasonal depression, and non-seasonal depression (10)
- Exercises: It demonstrates that exercise has an antidepressant way, that also boosts overall health including walking, running, meditation, etc
- Diet: Studies believe that certain foods such as bananas, probiotics, etc can really increase serotonin levels (2)
Too much ST
ST is made naturally in the body, but when a person takes illegal drugs, it triggers serotonin release known as serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome occurs when ST level reaches a high levell
Too much ST can also lead to various health issues which range can be mild to severe including:
- Diarrhea
- Shivering
- Fever
- Vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Muscle rigidity
- irregular heartbeat
- Even death
Does diet influence serotonin level?
Diet plays a vital role in raising brain ST levels.
Research run on animals reveals that tryptophan increases brain ST in the human is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression (2).
High protein food such as bananas improves mood because it contains serotonin, which does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
Kerem and colleagues’ studies showed tryptophan content in both chickpeas and domestic chickpeas (4).
Multiple studies have shown that corn increases both niacin and tryptophan, and serotonin, and also prevents pellagra (6) (7).
Cross-national studies reported that corn consumption is negatively allied with dietary tryptophan and suicide rates (8).
Any link between Serotonin and depression
Depression is a most common mental illness that negatively affects “how you feel”
Low levels of ST in the brain are allied with depressive disorder and treatment for depression aims to increase these level (11)
There are many treatments including medication, therapy, and certain exercises, but treatment aims to increase ST levels.
The most commonly prescribed medication SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) acts by blocking serotonin.
Unfortunately, ST is involved in many brain functions, and the side effects remain significant and may raise concerns.
If any disturbance in the brain, researchers believe that it can lead to depression, anxiety, panic, and even physical illness (6)
There is no equipment available that measures what is ST, and depression levels.
However, the blood level of serotonin is measurable and is lower in people who suffer from depression.
Serotonin levels and mental issues like depression are allied with each other.
Serotonin and Mental health
Research believes that ST is one of the most needed neurotransmitters that influence mental health (9).
Anxiety: Studies indicate that serotonin activity may allied with anxiety disorder, however, some studies have shown no link (9) (10).
May lead to addiction: It is believed that serotonergic dysfunction may be associated with addictive behaviours (10) (11).
Low interaction: Studies suggest that a lower level of serotonin in the brain may be allied with poor social interaction (9) (10).
Schizophrenia: It has been shown that serotonin may interact with the dopamine level in ways that can be allied with schizophrenia (10) (11).
Down Line
Serotonin (pleasure hormone) plays a vital role in s*xual health, memory, and mental health.
The lower level of serotonin can affect mental health and increase the chance of depression, anxiety and other disorders.
If you experience any mental-related issues then talk to the doctor because early diagnose can help in treatment.