You may well have heard of seratonin. It’s a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in various physiological processes and has been linked to several important functions in the body. We know it as our ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter but the other roles of serotonin are as important as its mood-related function. For reference, serotonin is involved with:
- Mood regulation: Serotonin is often referred to as the “happy hormone” because it is associated with regulating mood, emotions, and feelings of well-being. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and anxiety.
- Sleep regulation: Serotonin is also involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles. It helps to promote deep, restful sleep and can aid in reducing insomnia.
- Appetite control: Serotonin helps to regulate appetite and feelings of satiety, which can impact weight management and overall health.
- Digestive health: Serotonin is produced in the gut and is involved in regulating digestive processes. It helps to promote gut motility and can reduce the risk of digestive disorders.
- Cognitive function: Serotonin has been linked to cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and decision-making. It can also impact mood and motivation, which can have an impact on overall cognitive function.
Mood:
With respect to the impact on our mood, of course selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been touted to help to boost serotonin levels in the brain by increasing the amount of serotonin that is available in the synapses between neurons. And certainly, for some, there is no doubt that they play an important role in establishing a better baseline to enable people to work on the root cause of the issue. A critique of these though is the research to suggest that the placebo effect may be responsible for some of the positive benefit experienced by some individuals, with other non-pharmacy factors, such as patient-practitioner relationship, being more important than the treatment itself. In addition, there are several side effects that are reported in some individuals, including constipation, decreased libido, weight gain, increased anxiety, tiredness, dizziness to name a few.
Sleep/Wake Cycle:
Serotonin is also intricately tied to our sleep-wake cycle. During daylight hours, serotonin increases the activity of neurons in the brain that promote wakefulness and alertness and levels are high. At night, serotonin decreases – it is part of the raw material for melatonin (our ‘darkness’ hormone) and the levels of melatonin increase as it’s released from our pineal gland. This facilitates the onset of sleep. Serotonin is also involved in the regulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, with low levels in the brain at this time thought to be related to emotional regulation and memory consolidation that occurs during this phase. Low levels of serotonin throughout the day though are thought to be related to the ability to produce enough melatonin for sleep promotion and play into the sleep disorders that can occur as part of a bigger picture related to neurotransmitter levels.
Appetite Control:
Serotonin is known to play a role in appetite control by regulating feelings of hunger and satiety. Specifically, serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and communicates with various regions involved in regulating appetite, including the hypothalamus and the amygdala. Research has shown that serotonin can decrease food intake by reducing feelings of hunger and increasing feelings of fullness, or satiety. One way it does this is by activating specific serotonin receptors in the hypothalamus that are involved in appetite regulation.
In addition to its effects on appetite, serotonin is also involved in regulating mood and behaviour, which can impact food choices and eating behaviours. For example, low levels of serotonin have been linked to increased cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods (as these increase tryptophan delivery across the blood brain barrier – tryptophan being the amino acid precursor to serotonin – which can lead to overeating and weight gain in some individuals.
Brain function
Finally (for today) Serotonin plays a complex role in cognitive function, influencing a variety of processes related to learning, memory, mood, and behaviour. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin communicates with neurons in various regions of the brain that are involved in cognitive function, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. One of the most well-known effects of serotonin on cognitive function is its role in regulating mood. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression and anxiety, though the most recent literature does not provide a consensus about this. Serotonin also plays a role in regulating stress responses (and potentially thermoregulation), which can impact cognitive function and overall wellbeing.
In addition to its effects on mood and stress, serotonin is involved in various cognitive processes, including learning and memory. Research has suggested that serotonin may enhance synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of neurons to adapt and change in response to experience. In addition, the loss of serotonin may be an early indicator of cognitive decline. Serotonin may also play a role in attention and decision-making, as well as regulating impulsivity and aggression.
Poweful stuff this neurotransmitter and if we look after our gut health and environment we will help optimise the production of seratonin as the majority is made in the gut with a small amount from the pineal gland. Either way we cannot ignore the power gut health plays in brain health.
If you’re looking for some nutrional support or even a gut health specific programme make contact today. The Get Going package starts at $249 (3 month programme) and the new Health coaching package is $499 (6 month programme).
Ref: a lot of the content in this newsletter was kindly donated by Mikki Williden