Low serotonin levels can cause anxiety, depression, OCD, tension headaches, and overeating. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects behavior, memory, sleep, appetite, sex drive, and mood. Low levels can increase the risk of addiction and cause mild to moderate depression. Diet and vitamin B-6 can increase serotonin levels, but too much can lead to serotonin syndrome.
Low serotonin levels can lead to anxiety, depression, OCD, tension headaches and overeating. Serotonin is a hormone produced in the brain. Serotonin, like dopamine and norepinephrine, is a neurotransmitter. Serotonin helps the body maintain a feeling of happiness, controls mood, aids sleep, and reduces anxiety. While serotonin is associated with the brain, approximately 90% of serotonin in the body is found in blood platelets and the digestive tract.
Serotonin and other neurotransmitters move signals from one part of the brain to another and affect bodily functions. Serotonin affects behavior, memory, temperature, sleep, appetite, sex drive and mood. Low levels of serotonin can have a negative effect on the amount of milk a new mother produces and can also be a contributing factor to sudden infant death syndrome. Serotonin has an impact on the endocrine and cardiovascular systems and the way muscles work.
Low levels of serotonin can also increase an individual’s risk of addiction. Mild to moderate cases of depression are often attributed to low serotonin levels, and most antidepressants target either serotonin or norepinephrine. Low-grade ailments such as fatigue, insomnia, and general feelings of worthlessness can be caused by low serotonin levels. Estrogen and progesterone can react with serotonin, affecting serotonin levels and making PMS symptoms worse.
There is no way to test the levels of serotonin in the brain of a living person. Blood serum tests can determine serum levels in the blood, and these levels are often low in people with depression. Serotonin levels may be low because the brain cells responsible for making the chemical do not produce enough of it, the individual has low levels of tryptophan, which is used to make serotonin, existing serotonin cannot reach the receptor sites where is needed, or the body lacks sufficient receptor sites.
It may be possible to increase serotonin levels through diet. Some evidence suggests that a low-protein, high-carb diet can raise serotonin levels naturally. Foods rich in tryptophan, such as chicken, turkey, nuts or dairy products, provide the building blocks of serotonin. Vitamin B-6 can help the body convert tryptophan into serotonin.
It is also possible to have too much serotonin in the body. Combining serotonin-boosting antidepressants with 5-HTP or St. John’s wort can lead to serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include uncontrollable muscle spasms, confusion, sweating, and agitation. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention.
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