Serotonin is produced naturally in the pineal gland of the brain. It is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan and found in areas of the body such as the intestinal wall, blood vessels and nerves. Serotonin has a a variety of effects on the body including regulating behaviors of the central nervous system, mood and sleep.
Central Nervous System
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of many the body's nerve impulses, according to research at the University of Bristol. A neurotransmitter is defined as specialized chemical messengers that support communication between nerve cells within the brain. It is for this reason that serotonin has a great influence over many brain functions and the central nervous system. Bryn Mawr College reports that serotonin affects over 500,000 target neurons and is involved in an array of nerve functions including muscle contraction, endocrine regulation, appetite and temperature regulation. Serotonin is often implicated in the treatment of an array of nervous system disorders such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.
Mood and Depression
Serotonin is often referred to as the "feel good" chemical in the brain that promotes happiness and wellbeing. Researchers at the University of Bristol report that low levels of serotonin are associated with mild to severe cases of depression. Individuals who are diagnosed with depression have significantly low levels of serotonin within their brains and suffer from symptoms of anxiety, fear and fatigue. As a result of low levels of serotonin, pharmaceutical drugs that can reverse the effect are recommended for people with depression. Drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, increase the level of serotonin activity in the brain and suppress depression, according to Bryn Mawr College.
Sleep
Besides regulating the central nervous system and affecting mood, serotonin has also been reported to affect and regulate sleep. Research at the University of Pennsylvania found that serotonin treatment increases the amount and quality of sleep. Serotonin treatment appears to be beneficial for individuals suffering from insomnia or other sleep problems. Researchers from the study believe that serotonin influences sleep because there is a specific serotonin receptor that affects it.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening disorder caused by the production of excess serotonin, according to the National Institutes of Health. It most often occurs due to the consumption of two drugs or medications that regulate serotonin, such as SSRI's. According to the NIH, individuals can develop this syndrome when taken migraine medication together with antidepressants, or as a result of drug abuse, such as from taking Ecstasy or LSD. The effects of excess serotonin include agitation, diarrhea, hallucinations, loss of coordination and rapid blood pressure changes.
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