Serotonin
Synopsis of Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and signaling molecule involved in regulating a wide variety of physiological and emotional functions. Chemically derived from the amino acid tryptophan, serotonin is most famous for its role in mood regulation, but it also influences digestion, sleep, appetite, pain perception, cognition, and hormonal balance.
Interestingly, while serotonin acts in the brain, about 90–95% of it is actually produced in the gastrointestinal tract, where it regulates bowel function and motility. In the central nervous system, it helps regulate mood, anxiety, and sleep-wake cycles. Serotonin’s influence on vascular tone, platelet aggregation, and other endocrine functions also highlights its wide-reaching impact on health.
Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, so the serotonin in the brain must be produced there, using tryptophan transported into the CNS.
Imbalances in serotonin are associated with several physical and mental health conditions:
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Low serotonin: Often linked to depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, poor appetite, and low pain tolerance.
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High serotonin: Usually due to medication overdose or interaction (e.g., SSRIs, MAOIs) and may result in serotonin syndrome, a dangerous condition causing agitation, confusion, tremors, high blood pressure, or seizures.
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IBS and gut-brain axis: Since serotonin modulates intestinal motility, imbalances may contribute to irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive issues.
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Migraines and pain disorders: Fluctuating serotonin levels can trigger or exacerbate these conditions.
Common medications that affect serotonin include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, and triptans for migraines.
Natural remedies to support Serotonin
Tryptophan and 5-HTP: Precursors to serotonin; available from foods or supplements.
Vitamin B6 and magnesium: Essential co-factors in serotonin synthesis.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Improve receptor sensitivity and reduce inflammation affecting neurotransmission.
Regular sunlight exposure: Boosts serotonin through light-stimulated pathways in the brain.
Exercise: Increases serotonin production and receptor sensitivity.
Probiotics: Support gut health, which in turn influences serotonin signaling in the gut-brain axis.
Mindfulness and gratitude practices: Can naturally raise serotonin levels and improve emotional balance.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Serotonin.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
acetyl l-carnitine
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bасора
California poppy
choline
citicoline
cowage seed
ginseng
guayusa
hops
inositol
kava root
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
magnolia
melatonin
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
saffron
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
skullcap
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B6
vitamin D
zinc
gastrodia
kanna
silk tree
St. John's Wort
DMPX
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Methoxytryptamine
5-HTP (test)
5-HTP
6-Methoxybenzoazolinone
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Ashwagandha
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Apigenin
Albizia julibrissin
Amyloban
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Agmatine
Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Agmatine sulfate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Active Amines
Agnusides
Apigenin
Alpha lactalbumin
Arginine pyroglutamate
Alkaloids
Agmatine Silicate
Aminobutyric acid (unspecified)
alkaloid
Aniracetam
Agnuside
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Aniracetam
Beta Phenethylalamine
Bilobalide
Biopterin
Baccosides
Bacopin
Beta phenethylamine
Brain
Barbed Skullcap
Bacosides (mixed)
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa (unspecified)
Bacopa
Brain
bacoside
Bacosides
Bacopasides
Bacosine
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
Bacopa glycoside (unspecified)
Biogenic amine
Coffee
Crocin
Clary sage
Cannabis
Caffeine pterostilbene
Cannabinoids
California Poppy
Chocolate
Citicholine
Cacao
Capitate Valerian
Chocolate liquor
Convolvulus prostratis
Caffeine
Chocolate Chips
Convolvulus prostratus
Coffee (mixed)
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Citicoline
DL-Phenyl-Alanine 4,2-Dimethylaminoethyl
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
Dwarf Morning Glory
DL-phenylalanine
Doxylamine succinate
Decarboxylase
English Lavender
Eurypeptides
Eria jarensis
Fungus
Fish
Fungus (unspecified)
Flow agent
Genseng (not specified)
Gastrodia
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Griffonia
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
Ginseng
Ginkgolides
Ginkgolide B
Ginkgoside
Glycine-alanyl-l-tryptophan
Guaranine
Gamma amino beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Guayusa
Ginkgoheteroside
Guarana
Ginkgolide A
Ginsenoside
Gastrodin
Ginsenosides
Honokiol
Hypericin
Hericenones
Hops
Hypericum (unspecified)
hyperforin
hyperforin
Hericium mushroom
Inositol
Inositol
Indian Valerian
Indole alkaloid (unspecified)
Inositol phosphate
Jujube seeds
Jujubosides
Jatamansi
Kavalactone
Kavalactones
Kratom
Kava kava
lemon balm
L-Tryptophan
Lithium
Lithium
Lithium
Lavender
L-Serine
Lavandula (unspecified)
Lupulinum
L-Phenylalanine
Linalool
Methoxy phenethylamine
Marijuana
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
Magnolia
Melatonin
Mushroom (unspecified)
Magnesium Taurinate
Mulungu
Magnesium threonate
Mexican valerian
Mesembrine
N-phenylacetyl-L-Prolylglycine ethyl ester
Nicotine
Nymphaea caerulea
N-(2-hydroxy-2-p-methoxyphenylethyl) benzamide
phenyl alkyl ketones
Phenethylamine (PEA)
Pineal
phosphatidyl inositol
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Pyroglutamic Acid
Pineal Gland
Passiflora (unspecified)
Peptides (unspecified)
Phosphatidylserine
phenethylamine (PEA)
Passionflower
phosphatidyl inositol
Phenethylamine
Phosphatidylserine complex
Phenibut
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pineal
Polygala
Rosavins
Rhodola crenulata
Rosabin
Rosavins (mixed)
Rhodiola (unspecified)
Rhodiola sacra
Reginin A
Rosarin
Rosavin
Rhodiola
Rhodiola crenulata
Robusta Coffee
Serine
SAMe
Sceletium
Skullcap
Safranal
SAM-e
Salidroside
St. John's Wort
Salidrosides
Shankhpushpi
Serine
Silk Tree
Skullcap (unspecified)
SAM-e
Saffranal
Tryptophan
Terpene
Trichilia catigua
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Theanine
Theacrine
Teacrine
Triacetyluridine
Theanine
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Uridine
Valerenic acid
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine phosphate)
Valerenic acid derivatives
Vitamin B6 (pridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine)
Valerian
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine HCl)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (not specified)
Vitamin B6 (unspecified)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 (various)
Withanolides
Withanolide