How Does Serotonin Affect Mood?
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Serotonin
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Serotonin is manufactured in the brain and can be found in blood platelets, pineal glands and the digestive tract of the body. It has quite a few functions, but its main duty is to send messages from one area of the brain to the other by transmitting nerve messages to nerve cells. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an intricate role in the way we eat, sleep and behave. When the level of serotonin in the brain is changed, a person's behavior will also be altered.
Low Serotonin Levels
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A normal level of serotonin promotes feelings of happiness, but at times, the body becomes overly stressed and will begin to use higher levels of serotonin to compensate for being overwhelmed.
Because of the increased stress level, the body will not be able to produce more serotonin to replace the amount that was taken from the reserve. The body will suffer a recession, so to speak, which can lead to a mild to moderate case of depression. The lower the level of serotonin in the brain, the deeper the depression. -
The Symptoms
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Symptoms of low serotonin levels are:
• Difficulty focusing and concentrating
• The smallest task can seem like a chore.
• Chronic fatigue
• Appetite/sleep disturbance
• Low libido
• Low to no self-esteem
• Social withdrawal
Serotonin Syndrome
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Serotonin syndrome is a condition found when a high level of serotonin is in the brain. Most people may think this is a good thing because serotonin keeps the body in a "happy place," but this is not the case. When someone is treated for depression using medication, most antidepressants increase serotonin levels in the brain. However, there are also other medications that affect the serotonin levels. For example, if a person takes medication to help with his migraines while at the same time taking antidepressants, the two drugs will interact and cause serotonin syndrome. Because this condition can cause death, the symptoms can occur within minutes, and they are as follows:
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hallucinations
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Change in blood pressure
• Coordination loss
Depression
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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 20 million people will suffer from a mood disorder in a given year, and depression will affect one in four Americans in his lifetime. One of the first things to be addressed when searching for the cause of depression is the serotonin levels. However, a person should never try to self-diagnose if he believes his serotonin levels are low. To receive proper treatment, it is best to see a health care provider.
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