Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps transmit signals in the brain and throughout the nervous system. It is derived from the amino acid tryptophan and is primarily found in the digestive system, blood platelets, and the central nervous system. Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, anxiety, and happiness, and is often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. It also influences various bodily functions such as sleep, appetite, digestion, and memory. Imbalances in serotonin levels are linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and insomnia. Because of its significant impact on mood and mental health, serotonin is a common target for many medications designed to treat depression and other mood disorders, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that help increase serotonin levels in the brain.
Researchers have discovered a new role for biogenic monoamines, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the reproductive development of planarian flatworms, suggesting these neurotransmitters also…
The serotonin-boosting actions of antidepressants are essential and relieve depression by restoring normal communication and connections in the brain. New research highlights that SSRIs and…
Scientists have clarified the connection between energy levels and fertility in both animals and humans. The researchers, from Nagoya University in Japan, discovered that signaling…
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have revealed intricate details on how some psychedelic drugs interact with serotonin receptors, triggering potential…
PET scans of people with mild cognitive impairment detected lower levels of serotonin, the brain chemical associated with positive mood, compared to those without it….
New research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) identifies an abnormality in the serotonin 2A/C receptor, often seen in SIDS cases and linked to protective…
Scientists at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT have provided comprehensive insight into how serotonin affects behavior in a study using the…
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that not only is listening to a favorite song a well-known mood enhancer, but musical interventions can also…
Serotonin can impact the mitral valve of the heart and potentially accelerate a cardiac condition known as degenerative mitral regurgitation, according to a new study…
New insights into the opposing actions of serotonin-producing nerve fibers in mice could lead to drugs for treating addictions and major depression. Scientists in Japan…
New research in Biological Psychiatry offers the first direct evidence of diminished 5-HT release cements “serotonin hypothesis.” Researchers have postulated since the 1960s that major…
New hypothesis unifies several contrasting theories that may help explain the underlying cause of IBS. According to a new theory from researchers out of Cedars-Sinai…
A comprehensive review by University College London scientists challenges the widely-held belief that depression is caused by a serotonin imbalance. The research, encompassing numerous studies…
The smell of food blocks the life-extending effect of a restricted diet. These drugs may unblock it. A research study using worms provides new clues…
Why do we freeze when startled? New study in flies points to serotonin. Columbia researchers uncover the mechanism that produces the fly’s startle response, offers…
While it’s colloquially believed that psychedelic drugs, such as magic mushrooms, have the capacity to expand the minds of its users, researchers have actually shown…