How to Optimize Serotonin Levels for Better Health & Living

Serotonin levels in our body and brain dictate much of how we feel, how hungry we are, how well we sleep and how relaxed we are.

If levels become too high or too low, mood imbalances can develop. In recent years, more and more health problems have been linked to inadequate levels of serotonin.

To combat this, supplements like 5-HTP have garnered attention as a natural source of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

How effective are these supplements for improving mood, increasing restful sleep and regulating weight? While serotonin may be responsible for some forms of depression, over-eating and insomnia, different levels affect each conditions separately.

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How It Works:

• Increases Serotonin levels in the brain
• Enhances mood and alleviates stress
• Improves sleep and regulates appetite

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Serotonin Levels and Depression

Depression can be caused by a lack of serotonin in the brain.

This condition is commonly treated with drugs that allow existing levels of serotonin to be reused. These drugs are called serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Zoloft or Prozac.

However, treatment may take a natural approach by looking at increasing dietary sources of serotonin in health foods. Look for food sources that are rich in tryptophan. This nutrient is necessary to make 5-HTP and this approach may be less harmful than taking drugs.

Sufferers of mild to moderate depression may experience lack of self-confidence, excessive worrying, increased anxiety and even excessive agitation. These symptoms may inhibit the ability for one to live a natural healthy life and interfere further with maintaining a normal level of serotonin through a snowball effect of conditions associated with such deficiencies.

Levels of serotonin in the brain and digestive system may cause a compound effect causing disturbances in several interrelated conditions such as mood regulation, sleep patterns, cognitive development and extreme weight gain. 5-HTP supplements are shown to help with many of these conditions.

Serotonin Levels and Sleep

Low serotonin levels in the brain may prompt insomnia and restless sleep. Sleep deprivation may be treated with sleeping pills; however, the body will most likely become habituated to such drugs, possibly causing an indefinite increase in dosing.

Instead, treatment of sleep disorders may begin by looking at increasing dietary supplement sources of serotonin through tryptophan and 5-HTP, which may be less harmful than taking drugs when used properly.

Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty or inability to fall asleep, waking up during the night, awaking up too early, not feeling well rested, irritability, depression or anxiety and tension headaches.

These symptoms may further the condition by affecting maintenance of normal serotonin levels through a cascade effect, causing symptoms of insomnia to worsen.

Low Serotonin and Excessive Weight Gain

Craving sugar and carbohydrates is the main cause of excessive weight gain in patients with low levels of serotonin.

Without looking at the main causes, weight gain may prompt extreme dieting and unrealistic exercise routines that are not sustainable. This can sometimes lead to further weight gain in the long run as hormone balances are upset.

If weight gain is primarily being cause by eating excessive amounts of sugary, high carbohydrate foods then it may be a good idea to look at supplementing with 5-HTP to increase levels of serotonin.

When serotonin is low, it leads to a heightened appetite sensation. The brain centers that are responsible for hunger will seek stimulation through eating foods such as baked goods, breads and chips.

These foods increase levels of serotonin temporarily by the releasing insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin removes sugar from the bloodstream along with digested amino acids except one, tryptophan.

Tryptophan is the precursor amino acid for serotonin production and since insulin does not take it up into the muscles, it is available for biosynthesis into serotonin. This serotonin is then available to increase feelings of satiety until the serotonin is used up and the body begins to crave more food – specifically more sugar and carbohydrates.

Food and substance addictions can be linked to low levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the body.

Science behind Serotonin’s Effects

Serotonin is found primarily in the brain, digestive tract and in blood platelets. Levels of serotonin are maintained in neurons and cells in the brain and gastrointestinal tract via the metabolism of tryptophan and 5-HTP. Platelets in the bloodstream do not produce it, so it and must be taken up by protein transporters found on cells.

The neurotransmitter can also regain access, once used, back into neurons in the brain through the same process. This is referred to as a re-uptake process and it allows for recycling of your neurotransmitters.

Re-uptake of serotonin is another way to maintain levels in the brain. It occurs through the use of transporter proteins that specifically recognize the size and shape of serotonin.

Otherwise, the chemical must be synthesized in the brain since is cannot freely pass the blood-brain barrier. 5-HTP and tryptophan must cross this barrier and become precursors for this neurochemical. Increasing tryptophan and 5-HTP through diet and supplementation may help to increase serotonin levels available.

In the brain, serotonin acts on neurons to regulate mood, sleep and food cravings. In the digestive tract, serotonin acts to regulate the timing of digestion. Through muscle contractions, serotonin levels regulate the speed at which food travels through the intestines and allowing nutrients to be absorbed.

The slower the food travels, the more time nutrients have to be broken down and absorbed by the body. Too fast and food will pass through to quickly allowing less nutrients and energy to be absorbed.

Therefore, serotonin levels increase energy by being present in the brain and in the digestive tract. In the brain, it acts directly on mood centers increasing feelings of happiness and to induce sleep. In the digestive system, it help to increase nutrient absorption needed directly for energy consumption by the body.

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