Understanding Serotonin and Anxiety Disorder + Panic Attacks

The biochemical and physical connections between Serotonin and anxiety are many.

Among its various roles within the body and brain, Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for regulating our moods.

When Serotonin levels are low, we are likely to experience anxiety, depression, and irritability, and are more predisposed to stress. When Serotonin levels are adequate, we feel balanced and content.

While Serotonin deficiency is not the only factor that can lead to an anxiety disorder, it can be a prominent cause in many cases. Find out how increasing Serotonin levels may be able to reduce symptoms of anxiousness, negative thoughts, agitation, and poor focus.

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What is Anxiety?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that is strongly correlated with low Serotonin levels. The primary symptoms of GAD are:

• Feelings of panic;
• Avoidance of interactions with others;
• Emerging cognition patterns;
• Intrusive experiences;

Other commonly experienced symptoms of GAD include irritability, excessive worrying, persistent and unshakable negative thoughts, inability to concentrate, chronic fatigue, tension in muscles and disturbances of sleep.

It can affect many areas of your life, making it difficult to speak to others, to be productive, to use your memory and reasoning skills, and to enjoy life.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), anxiety disorders are the most prevalent U.S. mental illness. Anxiety disorders affect roughly 18% of the population, about 42 million people.

Only a minority of people with anxiety disorders are receiving any treatment. Treatment for anxiety disorders costs the U.S. more than 40 billion annually, a significant portion of its total mental health expenditures.

However, it isn’t only those diagnosed with GAD who experience symptoms of anxiety. It is known that the majority of patients diagnosed with major depression disorders also are prone to pathological anxiety.

Note that the term “anxiety” is a multi-faceted one. It encompasses an array of separate behaviors and experiences.

How Serotonin Affects Anxiety

Serotonin acts in conjunction with Norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters to regulate anxiety, violent tendencies, suicidal impulses and various other functions of biochemistry. It is widely believed that serotonergic neurotransmission imbalances are in part responsible for the onset of depression and anxiety.

Conversely, too much Serotonin can also cause panic/anxiety attacks due to something known as Serotonin Syndrome. This can result if excess dosages of Serotonin-concentration altering drugs like antidepressants (i.e. SSRIs or MAOIs) or supplements like Tryptophan or 5-HTP are taken, or when combining multiple medications.

In the brain, Serotonin is one of the chief inhibitory neurotransmitters (along with GABA and Melatonin). The inhibitory neurotransmitters function as the “off switches” for our neurons.

The role of inhibitory neurochemicals is to prevent the over-stimulation and excess firing of certain neural pathways. They act as built-in tranquilizers to calm us down, become less aggressive, and help us relax.

Too much excitation in the brain causes restlessness, irritability, nervousness and insomnia – all common symptoms of anxiety. When inhibitory neurotransmitters like serotonin are low, it can tip the balance back in favor of the excitatory neurotransmitters, sometimes causing our moods to go out of control.

Researchers are now experimenting with Serotonin partial agonists that are proving effective at restoring neurotransmission efficiency. Normalizing neurotransmission and balance between inhibitory and excitatory systems may alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Using natural techniques to stabilize Serotonin levels may also be effective, such as taking the supplement 5-HTP. In studies, 5-HTP has been found more effective at increasing Serotonin in the brain than Paxil, Prozac, and Luvox.

Balancing Serotonin For Mood Control with 5-HTP

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the importance of the Serotonin production system in alleviating anxiety symptoms has gained significant attention recently.

By balancing Serotonin production and utilization to adequate levels, various conditions in addition to anxiety may be improved including PTSD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various phobias.

In order to balance your Serotonin production, individuals have options. Serotonin “boosting” drugs like SSRIs are available by prescription. However, some people prefer a more natural approach.

The body can often normalize its production levels if it is able to synthesize this chemical from the foods we ingest. Serotonin is manufactured by an intricate biochemical process within the body.

The amino acid L-Tryptophan is found in many high protein foods including poultry, red meat, dairy products, eggs, and tofu. Tryptophan from the diet is broken down in the liver into 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). The 5-HTP travels through the bloodstream to the brain, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and enters the brain tissue. Once in the brain, the 5-HTP is used to produce Serotonin.

Some individuals do not get enough Tryptophan in their diet, while others naturally do not efficiently utilize the Tryptophan they do ingest. In cases like these, supplementation may be useful.

Tryptophan supplements do exist, however many people prefer to use 5-HTP. 5-HTP is farther along the metabolic pathway to Serotonin, therefore it is converted into Serotonin more quickly and often has fewer side effects. Additionally, 5-HTP is not rate limited when it crosses the blood brain barrier like Tryptophan, which has to compete with other amino acids.

There are 5-HTP supplements available that are very effective at encouraging Serotonin production and which some people use today for anxiety.

Besides ensuring sufficient dietary intake of L-Tryptophan or supplementation with 5-HTP, there are other factors that can help the body to accelerate its Serotonin manufacturing. Ensuring adequate vitamin D and vitamin B6 can be critical. Also, daily physical activity can be integral to rebalancing Serotonin for anxiety.

The Effects of SSRIs on Anxiety

There are more than 40 million Americans taking prescribed SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).

By inhibiting reuptake of Serotonin, SSRIs are thought to make us feel and function better. These medications stop Serotonin from being absorbed back into our neurons, accommodating enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission.

However, when Serotonin is deficient or depleted, depression and various other side effects can begin to present even with the use of SSRIs. These drugs do not increase production of this neurotransmitter. This may be a reason why some individuals develop SSRI-resistant depression or anxiety.

In many cases, patients that have been prescribed SSRIs feel significantly better, initially. However, tolerance can build quickly. Increased dosages of SSRIs can in some cases cause an excess of Serotonin in the body, which like low levels can lead to anxiety or depression in some people. Finding a dosage that helps maintain balanced levels of Serotonin is crucial, but can be difficult at times.

In some cases, severe depressive episodes manifest when SSRI use is discontinued. It takes months to get through the withdrawal periods necessary to safely wean off these drugs. Rates of suicidal thoughts, tendencies and attempts can increase for this group.

If you have anxiety, speak to your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks of SSRIs and to determine whether they are appropriate for you. The use of supplements like 5-HTP or medications like SSRIs may help to balance levels of Serotonin for anxiety sufferers.

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