all my seminary buddies!

Since I do not have enough work to do today I have been reading on Serotonin... Serotonin happens to be the most widely studied neurotransmitter since it helps regulate a vast range of psychological and biological functions. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) was first identified in 1948. The wide extent of psychological functions regulated by serotonin involves mood, anxiety, arousal, aggression, impulse control, and thinking abilities. Other brain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, also influence mood and arousal. However, serotonin generally has different effects. For instance, excess amounts of serotonin cause relaxation, sedation, and a decrease in sexual drive. Serotonin deficiency is associated with low mood, lack of will power, and poor appetite control. Disruption of the normal functioning of the serotonin system leads to a number of psychiatric conditions, whi*****lude anxiety disorders, depression, improper social behavior, and sexual aberrations. Common medical conditions associated with disruption of the serotonin system include disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle, obesity or eating disorders, and chronic pain.

Useful sources of building blocks for serotonin: Bananas Beets Blue-green algae Brown rice Cheese Fennel Figs Fish Ham Legumes Milk Nuts Pasta Pineapple Potatoes Radishes Spinach Tomatoes Turkey Whole grains Serotonin Functions in: Emotional stability Reduces aggression Sensory input Sleep cycle Appetite control Serotonin Deficiencies result in: Irritability Irrational emotions Sudden unexplained tears Sleep disturbances Serotonin affects numerous bodily systems. There are 17 known types of serotonin receptors, with the largest quantity of serotonin being produced in the intestines. Serotonin acts in a variety of ways and is involved in about one quarter of all the body's biological processes. Serotonin stimulates release of a hormone, melatonin within the pineal gland, which regulates the body clock and sleep. It has also been shown to play a role in the onset of migraine headaches by causing blood vessels to constrict, affects blood clotting, heartbeat, and mood (it can reduce depression). Alterations of serotonin activity is a common effect of psychedelic drugs, (e.g., LSD is structurally similar to serotonin). Serotonin is synthesized directly from the essential amino acid tryptophan, which must come from the diet, with the assistance of Vitamin B6 and carbohydrates. Yet the amount of tryptophan that gets into the brain depends on the relative amounts of other amino acids in your blood. Because amino acids are the building blocks of protein, one might think that eating a high-protein meal would be a good way to get more tryptophan into the brain. But because protein foods typically contain much smaller amounts of tryptophan than other amino acids, this is not the best strategy. In contrast, a high-carbohydrate meal changes the odds in favor of tryptophan by increasing insulin, which pulls competing amino acids out of our blood and into our cells. Even though the actual amount of tryptophan in the blood hasn't changed, more passes into the brain. This helps to explain why people often feel comforted after eating carbohydrate-rich foods (e.g., cake) and depressed people tend to binge on more carbohydrates.

Sugar (sweets): Triggers quick release of insulin that lowers blood levels of most large amino acids except tryptophan, which remains in the blood and can enter the brain. As a result, serotonin levels rise, but blood-sugar levels also rise and fall dramatically. Refined starch (white bread, white rice): Triggers release of insulin that lowers blood levels of most large amino acids except tryptophan, which remains in the blood and can enter the brain. As a result, serotonin levels rise, but blood-sugar levels also rise and fall, sometimes too low. Whole grain starch (whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal): Triggers a slow, sustained release of insulin that lowers blood levels of most large amino acids except tryptophan, which remains in the blood and can enter the brain. As a result, serotonin levels rise gradually, and blood-sugar levels remain stable, without the rise and fall experienced with sugar or refined grains. Vitamin B6: Aids in the manufacture of serotonin. A deficiency of this B vitamin reduces serotonin production and affects mood and cravings. Estrogen: Might inhibit vitamin B6 status and decrease brain serotonin levels by its affects on neuropeptide Y (NPY). Tryptophan: Raises blood levels, then brain levels of tryptophan, whi*****reases serotonin production. Protein: Raises blood levels of all large amino acids. As a result, only small amounts of tryptophan enter the brain, serotonin levels do not rise, and cravings for carbohydrates might increase. A person might also feel more energetic and more clearheaded as a result of lowered serotonin levels. Fat: Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil raise serotonin levels, although how they do this is unclear. Carbohydrates "A desire for sweets is hardwired into the brain. As discussed in chapter 1, a carbohydrate-rich meal or snack stimulates the release of the hormone insulin from the pancreas, which lowers blood levels of all amino acids except tryptophan. Normally, tryptophan must compete with other amino acids for entry into the brain, but insulin eliminates the competition, allowing tryptophan levels to rise in the brain. Tryptophan is then converted into serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, reduces pain and appetite, and generally calms you down and improves your mood. (Page 46)" The GI Tract, Dairy · Ongoing research connects acetylcholine, GABA and serotonin to ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder (a broad definition of autism)] problems. [GABA is also mentioned in the section Hypoglycemia: Effects of GABA] · All affect GI motility and sensitivity in a variety of ways. [Notes: Because there are so many neurotransmitters in the gut, it is not easy to separate what is speculated to be a reaction from food versus a reaction with one of these other neurotransmitters. Dairy affects the promotion of serotonin [can lead to an overproduction of serotonin?]. Some people say dairy may have a constipating effect due to · opioids, · but it could also be due to increased serotonin activity... · or even that dairy is high in proteins, which have a constipating effect. Relationship "Melatonin is manufactured from serotonin. When melatonin levels increase, serotonin levels usually decrease, since more serotonin is converted to melatonin." Exposure to Light "...exposure to light lowers melatonin levels and increases serotonin levels." "Consequently, serotonin levels are lower, while melatonin levels are higher, in the winter as compared to the spring and summer, especially in people with SAD [unless a person is regularly exposed to an artificial light source]. (Page 143)" Palming The 'palming' exercise can be helpful for people, who are exposed to too much light (e.g. from computer monitors) and have too much serotonin in their system, by decreasing serotonin levels and increasing melatonin levels. Things to Consider Other factors can affect serotonin levels, such as electromagnetic waves, positive ions, diet, and allergies. Allergies "Encounters with allergens stimulate the release of serotonin and histamine from mast cells in the body. This increase affect chemokines which in turn alter arousal, attention, activity and vigilance. A highly allergic child can be either quite lethargic or hyperactive as a result, depending upon the individual mechanisms of the allergic reaction. Frequently eliminating all allergens from the diet will eliminate hyperactivity or lethargy and inattention." Medications that Affect Serotonin Levels "In order to work around this, doctors use a variety of psychiatric medications that affect serotonin levels indirectly, including MAO inhibitors, and SSRIs whi*****ludes the well known antidepressant fluoxetine (trade name: Prozac®) The MAO inhibitors prevent the breakdown of serotonin and therefore increase concentrations of the neurotransmitter in the brain. MAO inhibitors react negatively with many foods (which contain amines) and drugs and have a large list of side effects."

Any idea on how much serotonin we need and how do we count it? I'm very confused! Is serotonin a good thing or a bad thing? i cant figure it out!

Serotonin is a good thing but its not something you can just take. You get it from some foods, anti-depressants, and I guess B6 from what I can tell by the reading.

I did know that we got Omega 3 from fish and stuff but I didnt realize we could get serotonin so I went at lunch and bought me some Omega-3 Fatty Acid Fish Oil Concentrate from Wal-greens. I took two 1000mg tablets.

Man, I know who to call when I have a question on serotonin. I think you just about covered it all LOL. Melissa