Serotonin Imbalance & Metabolic Health — Ultrahuman

Written by Alina Gufran

Summary:

• What are neurotransmitters
• What is serotonin
• What is serotonin’s role in regulating metabolic health
• Serotonin syndrome/Disorders arising out serotonin imbalance
• Serotonin levels for optimum health
• How to optimise serotonin levels
• Conclusion

Serotonin is hailed as the ‘happy hormone.’ It enables communication of our brain cells with other nervous system cells and modulates our mood. It is conducive to our feeling of well-being and also plays a role in regulating metabolic health. Serotonin falls under a category of messengers called neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters: Chemical Messengers

Neurotransmitters are often referred to as the body’s chemical messengers. They are the molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons, or from neurons to muscles. Communication between two neurons happens in the synaptic cleft (the small gap between the synapses of neurons). Here, electrical signals that have travelled along the axon are briefly converted into chemical ones through the release of neurotransmitters, causing a specific response in the receiving neuron.

A neurotransmitter influences a neuron in one of three ways: excitatory, inhibitory or modulatory. An excitatory transmitter promotes the generation of an electrical signal called an action potential in the receiving neuron, while an inhibitory transmitter prevents it. Whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory depends on the receptor it binds to. Neuromodulators are a bit different, as they are not restricted to the synaptic cleft between two neurons, and so can affect large numbers of neurons at once. Neuromodulators therefore regulate populations of neurons, while also operating over a slower time course than excitatory and inhibitory transmitters.

Most neurotransmitters are either small amine molecules, amino acids, or neuropeptides. There are about a dozen known small-molecule neurotransmitters and more than 100 different neuropeptides, and neuroscientists are still discovering more about these chemical messengers. These chemicals and their interactions are involved in countless functions of the nervous system as well as controlling bodily functions.

What functions does Serotonin play in the body?

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Other monoamine neurotransmitters include the catecholamines dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. These compounds perform several roles including regulation of psychomotor function, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal control, sleep mechanisms, hormone secretion, body temperature, and pain. Serotonin is involved in functions such as sleep, memory, appetite, mood, digestion and others. It is also produced in the gastrointestinal tract in response to food. Serotonin is found mostly in the digestive system , although it’s also in blood platelets and throughout the central nervous system. Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid must enter your body through your diet and is commonly found in foods such as nuts, cheese, and red meat. Tryptophan deficiency can lead to lower serotonin levels. This can result in mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression.

Our bodies generate to help your brain cells and other nervous system cells communicate with each other. Serotonin impacts every part of your body, from your emotions to your motor skills. Serotonin is considered a natural mood stabilizer and ushers a feeling of well-being.

To continue reading, head to: https://blog.ultrahuman.com/blog/serotonin-imbalance-amp-metabolic-health