Changing your mood can create serotonin in your brain, says Simon Young in his 2007 article in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. This is just one way to increase serotonin, a hormone made in your brain that sends messages through your body and is associated with regulating your mood. A lack of serotonin is believed to be a cause of depression. A number of other methods can increase the amount of serotonin your body makes without the use of drugs. But you should talk to your doctor or psychiatrist before trying to treat a low level of serotonin on your own.
Step 1
Consume tryptophan, a substance found in dairy, poultry, fish, eggs, soy, nuts and seeds. This substance helps your body create serotonin, according to MedlinePlus.
Step 2
Change your thought patterns. Happy feelings can create serotonin in your brain, explains Simon Young. Conversely, negative feelings can stop serotonin production, causing you to feel sad or depressed. Young says that in this way, you can increase serotonin by changing your state of mind.
Step 3
Sit in bright light. Bright light, including sunlight, increases the amount of serotonin your brain makes. This even makes up for a lack of tryptophan in your body, Young says.
Step 4
Exercise regularly. Exercise has been shown to increase serotonin in your brain. Although more research is needed to confirm this claim, Young says it is known that exercise will at least boost your mood, even if the reason is unrelated to serotonin levels.
