Serotonin, Are You Getting Enough?
Brighten your mood and sidestep negative thoughts with serotonin and nutrients that can help promote calmness, satiation, and a more positive attitude.
The human brain naturally produces a soothing neurotransmitter called serotonin, from before your birth and throughout your life. Serotonin plays many important roles in the brain’s biochemistry, and it’s intimately involved in sleeping, maintaining an upbeat mood, self-confidence, even supporting healthy appetite and social engagement.
Are You Making Enough Serotonin Naturally?
Here’s the thing, though: All-too many people don’t produce enough of this healthy property to experience the calming, positive effects. Plus, a deficiency may potentially affect depression and mood swings.
Since serotonin also interacts in your intestinal tract, too-little of this chemical is closely associated with changes in gut health, body temperature and appetite.
8 Signs of Serotonin Deficiency
- Poor cognitive functioning
- Carbohydrate cravings and binge eating
- Constipation and digestive disorders
- Sleep problems and insomnia
- Feeling overwhelmed and unhappy
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Anger and irritability
People who struggle with their moods often have very low levels of serotonin, says Daniel G. Amen, MD. Yet, serotonin can be increased in the brain (and body) by eating the proper foods and/or supplementing your diet.
Interestingly, he says certain nutrients can help metabolize and help utilize serotonin most efficiently. Some of these nutrients include magnesium, zinc, folic acid, fish oils, vitamins C and B6.
Always ask your doctor about supplementing, especially if you have a chronic condition and take medication every day. Also, it is possible (though rare) to have too much serotonin, but that usually occurs when people mix over-the-counter supplements with prescription drugs. Be sure to communicate with your health practitioner.
Balancing your serotonin levels may help minimize emotional overeating and sleeplessness. Our effective Serotonin Mood Support can also help brighten your mood and possibly fight off cravings, bad moods and daily anxiety.
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Dr Amen: I have been on SSRI’s for about ten years. I was switched from Paxil to Escitalopram this year, am wondering does one still produce serotonin if taking them? despite improving my diet to whole foods, no sugar, taking omega 3, garlic etc, an attempt to wean down and off the meds led to a severe serotonin crisis. I have PTSD anxiety and working hard in therapy to overcome a daily sadness that makes life so very difficult. Can I be directed to better information around this? Thanks IB