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SerotoninSerotonin is found in three main areas of the body: the intestinal wall; large constricted blood vessels; and the central nervous system. The most widely studied effects have been those on the central nervous system. The functions of serotonin are numerous and involve control of appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, mood, behavior (including sexual and hallucinogenic behavior), cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation, and depression.Depression has been linked to low levels of serotonin and some antidepressants increase serotonin levels by inhibiting its removal from the blood stream. Certain foods, sugary foods in particular, stimulate serotonin release, which may explain why people crave sugar and also why carbohydrate consumption makes many people sleepy. The activity of serotonin arises in the brainstem from clusters of neurons known as the raphe nucleus. From the brain, serotonin neurons extend to virtually all parts of the central nervous system making the branching of the serotonin network the most expansive neurochemical system in the brain. Due to the widespread distribution of serotonin in the nervous system, it is not surprising that this neurotransmitter can be linked to many types of behavior. A major factor in the understanding of the role of 5-HT in these disorders is the recent rapid advance made in understanding the physiological role of various serotonin receptor subtypes. There are at least four populations of receptors for serotonin: 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, and 5-HT4. The physiological function of each receptor subtype has not been established and is currently the subject of intensive investigation. Serotonin Syndrome is a serious side effect of the drug and can be caused by a combination with other anti-depressants. Symptoms are euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death. The safest way to increase serotonin levels is by vigorous exercise, which causes increased levels to last for several days after the effort. What is Serotonin?Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)Synthesized, from the amino acid L-tryptophan, in brain neurons and stored in vesicles. Drugs affecting Serotonin levels are: Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy Tryptophane) |
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Copyright 2004 Dr Angie Hayes |  |