Serotonin is popularly known as the “happiness hormone”. But what is this chemical famous for its virtues, and how does it work?

Serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It is therefore a substance that acts to transmit information between neurons. It is located in the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the intestinal nervous system and the blood. Serotonin is quite complex, and has many functions in our body, this is due to its receptors, to which serotonin is linked. Even if some are still little exposed, we know that it controls and regulates brain activity, acting on sleep, appetite, mood, anxiety, depression.

Serotonin is found 95% in our blood and therefore only 5% in our brain. By acting in particular on blood coagulation, it also participates in the functioning of the microbiota and in the contraction of the intestine, and therefore in digestion. Its role is therefore twofold.

Where the production of serotonin comes from: the brainstem is connected to the brain through the midbrain. On the back of the midbrain is the pineal gland which secretes tryptophan. However, serotonin is produced by our brain from tryptophan, an amino acid. Through a transport channel located in the blood-brain barrier, tryptophan in turn reaches the brain. The blood-brain barrier defines the boundary between blood flow and the central nervous system.

Serotonin, due to its complexity, has a specific role in the development of feelings of stability, well-being and pleasure.

Depending on the receptor to which this chemical semio binds, it has a “stabilizing” effect. Serotonin stimulates memory, or promotes deep sleep. It influences most brain cells, directly and indirectly:

• Bowel function: it regulates bowel function and bowel movements and also plays a role in reducing appetite during eating;
• Mood: In the brain, serotonin influences levels of mood, motivational anxiety and happiness;
• Coagulation: Serotonin contributes to the formation of blood clots;
• Nausea: The intestine produces more serotonin to increase transit time and expel whatever bothered you.

Serotonin can therefore be understood as an intermediate in our body, the function of which is to give information between nerve cells. 

The causes of this serotonin deficiency can be varied:

• Lack of sunlight: light stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain;
• Stress, which tends to decrease the amount of serotonin produced in the brain;
• A poor diet, leading to a deficiency of tryptophan, the amino acid known as the “precursor of serotonin”, which is necessary for the production of serotonin.

There is no shortage of research on serotonin, and a deficiency of this hormone can lead to various symptoms including depression. However, let’s not assume that depression necessarily announces a serotonin deficiency.

Other psychological symptoms due to a serotonin deficiency can also appear: neuroses, anxiety, increased aggressiveness, unfounded mood disorders, panic attacks, nervousness, exhaustion, phobias.

Such a deficiency can not only have the psychic consequences mentioned, but also consequences on the body.

Thus the following symptoms may appear:

• headaches ;
• muscle pain;
• a reduced feeling of fullness;
• concentration problems;
• sleep disturbances;
• sexual problems such as premature ejaculation;
• decreased libido;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• high blood pressure ;
• and even cardiovascular disease.

In the event of a deficiency, it is possible to increase the level of serotonin via a treatment prescribed after a hormonal check-up.

By the brain, the production of serotonin can be stimulated by many natural means:

• Exposure to natural light as long as possible each day: there is a cause and effect relationship between the synthesis of serotonin and the total number of hours of sunshine in a day;
• Do meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, massage or indulge in a leisure activity to overcome stress, which tends to decrease the level of serotonin produced by the body;
• Adopt a balanced diet;
• Play sports: physical activity increases tryptophan in the body.

It would therefore be more the hormone of measure than of joy. To be taken with measures, because there are surely still many things to discover.