What Does Serotonin Do? The Role of this Neurotransmitter

What is the role of serotonin in the brain and body?

This neurotransmitter and hormone is involved in several different systems – both physiological and neurological.

Studies have shown that altering amounts of serotonin, and its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), may help to regulate mood, cognition and behavior.

There are several causes of emotional instabilities, restless sleep and excessive weight gain, and lack of serotonin may be one of them.

This article will explore some of the effects of serotonin and discuss the use of supplements to raise levels of this neurotransmitter.

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What Does Serotonin Do?

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter derived from the amino acid tryptophan.

Tryptophan is part of all complete proteins found in foods such as meats and cheeses and in incomplete proteins found in some vegetables and starches.

Once digested, tryptophan goes though a biochemical process to become 5-HTP before being converted into serotonin.

Tryptophan and 5-HTP can be converted into serotonin in the digestive tract or transported directly to the brain to be manufactured.

The effects of Serotonin on the central nervous system (CNS) have been studied in detail and correlated to some behavioral and cognitive conditions.

In humans, certain physiological and behavioral functions relate primarily to the metabolism of tryptophan and 5-HTP into serotonin including: sleep, wakefulness and mood, eating behavior and control of senses.

Serotonin and Sleep Control

When areas in the brain that control sleep through serotonin are altered, sleep patterns may be abolished. In studies where serotonin was artificially embedded in those same areas, sleep was induced.

It has also been noted that the effects of serotonin-induced sleep occurs through the direct transmission of the neurotransmitter melatonin, not serotonin. However, melatonin is a result of the biosynthesis of serotonin from tryptophan and 5-HTP.

Serotonin levels peak in the daytime and are subsequently converted into melatonin by the pineal gland in the evening. Increases in the amount of 5-HTP allow for the increase in serotonin and thus melatonin. Consequently, the increase of serotonin, and thus melatonin, may increase the amount of restful sleep one gets.

Mood regulation

Depression is the most common of all disorders affecting mood and may range from very mild to severe psychotic depression involving hallucinations and delusions.

Mild to moderate symptoms of depressions may be treated and managed by increasing levels of serotonin through supplementation of 5-HTP. Symptoms of mild to moderate depression may include low self-esteem, feelings of misplaced guilt or inadequacy; sleep disturbances and loss of appetite.

The main biochemical theory of depression is the involvement of monoamine deficiencies such as serotonin. Increasing amounts of 5-HTP, which is readily converted into serotonin, was found to decrease symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

Serotonin Biosynthesis

Serotonin is found in three main cells; the serotonergic neurons in the CNS, enterochromaffin cells in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and in blood platelets. It is manufactured in serotonergic neurons and enterochromaffin cells from tryptophan and 5-HTP.

Platelets do not manufacture serotonin. Therefore, for this hormone to end up in platelets, it must go through the process of uptake via transporters. Serotonin can also gain access to serotonergic neurons through the same uptake method allowing it to be reused through a re-uptake process.

Re-uptake of a neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, is the reabsorption of an endogenous chemical after it has completed its purpose of transmitting signals across a synapse (from one brain cell to another). 5-HTP and tryptophan freely cross the blood-brain barrier and both may become precursors for serotonin in the brain.

Therefore, increasing tryptophan through protein in the diet, and supplementation of 5-HTP, may help to increase the amount of serotonin available to act on neurons.

Serotonin’s Role in the Body

In the brain, serotonin may act on neurons to regulate mood, sleep and behavior. In the GI tract, serotonin acts on neurons to regulate smooth muscle function.

Smooth muscle function in the digestive tract is called peristalsis. Peristalsis is the contraction and relaxation of muscles to encourage food down the esophagus, into the stomach for mixing and then down through the intestines for nutrient absorption.

Since nutrients are absorbed through the small intestine, serotonin and subsequently 5-HTP may play a role in energy regulation via speed of peristalsis through the digestive tract.

Serotonin and 5-HTP may also be involved our ‘gut’ reactions to life’s emotional ups and downs. The body’s GI tract is a very complicated system and is sometimes referred to as a second brain since we sense feelings of anxiety, fear and excitement in this area.

A great deal about serotonin and 5-HTP has been learned in the last 30 years and research continues to look at their benefits and roles in gut reactions, mood regulation, sleep disorders and appetite.

If you are interested in using a 5-HTP supplement to improve mood, consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice on product dosage and usage.

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