Possible ways of increasing the Serotonin level

For many years, low levels of serotonin have been associated with many health conditions including: depression and mood problems, anxiety, sleep problems, digestive disease, suicidal behavior, obsessive-compulsory disorder, post-traumatic

stress disorder, panic disorders, phobias or schizophrenia, but scientists have come to the conclusion that low levels of serotonin can have more than one cause: the body cannot produce enough serotonin or it is not able to use it effectively because there are not enough receptors or the receptors are not working as they should.

There are 2 research studies in the field. The first is an experiment on mice, carried out in 2009 in Germany, according to which there are 2 genes responsible for the production of this neurotransmitter, hormone. The second study, conducted by researchers from Canada and Austria, demonstrated that the serotonin transporter protein has intense activity in the winter months when sunlight is not as strong. Therefore, it is scientifically proven that there are accelerators and inhibitors of the amount of serotonin in the body.

Non-invasive methods to increase the production of serotonin:

Light

It is responsible for stimulating the production of vitamin D which promotes and supports the secretion of serotonin. The stimulation of production is determined by a strong intensity of light. When sunlight enters your eyes, it stimulates the parts of your retina that then cue your brain to produce serotonin.

Sports

Very important in stimulating the production of the hormone of happiness are sports, only they must be performed with pleasure, with an intensity that brings a feeling of well-being. A relevant and proven effective example is massage.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running, swimming laps or jumping rope. It’s great to spread the exercise throughout the week and to incorporate both moderate-intensity and vigorous aerobic activity into the workout routine for a happy life.

Food

Among the foods that contain serotonin we can mention: nuts, bananas, kiwi, plums and tomatoes, chicken, turkey, dairy products, beans.

Invasive methods to increase the production of serotonin

Pharmaceutical industry targets this domain, based on the fact that many health conditions are affected by serotonin. Some of the more common medications that increase serotonin levels include several different classes of antidepressants that block the reabsorption and recycling of serotonin, allowing more to remain in the brain. Medications that work this way are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (for example, paroxetine), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (for example, venlafaxine) and tricyclic antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline).

Another type of antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (for example, phenelzine) blocks an enzyme that breaks down serotonin. There are also many other medications, taken for other disease, that also increase the serotonin levels.

Serotonin syndrome

This disease is a rare medical condition that can be life-threatening. It is produced as a result of the accumulation of too much serotonin in the brain. It most likely occurs when starting treatment with an antidepressant drug, when increasing the dose of an antidepressant drug, or when taking two drugs that increase the level of serotonin in the body at the same time. Also, some illegal drugs and food supplements can cause this syndrome. Too much serotonin causes signs and symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

Manifestations usually appear a few hours after taking the new drug or increasing the dose of the drug the patient was already taking and include: shivering, heavy sweating, confusion, restlessness, high blood pressure, muscle twitches and diarrhea. Severe symptoms include high fever, seizures, fainting and abnormal heartbeat. Serotonin syndrome can be fatal if it's severe and not caught early and treated quickly.