How to Increase Serotonin: 5 Ways to Boost Serotonin Naturally

In neuroscience, serotonin is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that carries signals throughout the body between nerve cells. Serotonin, scientifically known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), plays an important role in the central nervous system.

Serotonin levels maintain various body functions, from blood clotting to cognition and from memory to bone health. Low levels of serotonin can cause mood disorders and other health conditions. There are many natural ways to boost serotonin levels, including engaging in regular exercise, light therapy, and proper eating.

Dopamine and serotonin are both naturally occurring neurotransmitters. Along with endorphins, dopamine and serotonin are naturally occurring chemicals known as happiness hormones. The release of dopamine and serotonin can affect a person’s mood and overall happiness.

Dopamine causes euphoria and pleasure by acting on the brain’s reward centers. Typically, dopamine releases after you reach a goal, triggering the brain’s reward system and elevating your mood. Dopamine promotes motivation and productivity. On the other hand, sunlight and aerobic exercise produce serotonin, which boosts happiness and calmness.

Serotonin is essential to the human body. Consider the role of serotonin in the following bodily functions:

1. 1. Serotonin aids in digestion. The intestines produce most of the body’s serotonin, which is essential to gastrointestinal activity and health. Serotonin receptors trigger nausea, help regulate gastrointestinal activity, and combat irritable bowel syndrome.
2. 2. Serotonin boosts your mood. Having the right amount of serotonin in your body plays a prominent role in decreasing feelings of anxiety or depression and can keep you thinking positively even under stress.
3. 3. Serotonin helps sleep. The brain converts serotonin into melatonin, a chemical that helps you focus, relax, and enjoy a deeper slumber. Serotonin enables you to calm down and rest.
4. 4. Serotonin promotes blood clotting. Blood platelets store the majority of the body’s serotonin. Platelets release serotonin to help your body produce blood clots so you can heal from a wound or cut and adequately recover from an injury.
5. 5. Serotonin supports bone health. The brain produces serotonin in its serotonergic system to enhance your bone density and overall health.

Consider these natural ways to increase your serotonin levels to improve your overall well-being:

1. 1. Eat a healthy diet. Leafy greens, bananas, beans, and fatty fish are some foods you should consume as part of a healthy, diverse diet to increase serotonin levels. For example, the amino acid tryptophan facilitates serotonin production, and you can obtain it through chicken, eggs, cheese, and other foods.
2. 2. Engage in physical activity. Aerobic exercise stimulates feelings of happiness. Serotonin is responsible for this positive jolt, so doing activities that make your body happy can also make your mood happy.
3. 3. Spend time in the sunshine. The sun activates the production of serotonin. Spending time outdoors or using a light therapy box can help increase serotonin levels and combat seasonal affective disorder.
4. 4. Take dietary supplements. Several common supplements, including St. John’s-wort and 5-HTP, can increase your body's serotonin. Always consult a doctor before taking supplements.
5. 5. Talk to a therapist. Stress and anxiety might suppress serotonin production and lead to bodily dysfunctions. Therapists can help you find ways to mitigate feelings of stress.

If you feel you have a serotonin deficiency after trying natural remedies, seek help from a health care provider who can test your body’s serotonin levels and might prescribe dietary supplements or antidepressant medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants for improving a person’s mood since depression and other mental health conditions can be symptoms of a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another kind of drug; like SSRIs, they block serotonin reuptake and impact norepinephrine levels. Health care providers can also prescribe tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) to combat chemical imbalances. Note that certain medications that increase serotonin levels can have side effects and lead to serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin syndrome might occur when you start a new medication that boosts serotonin levels by too much. Very high levels of serotonin can lead to seizures. Other symptoms of serotonin syndrome include blood pressure fluctuation and increased nervousness or anxiety. In rare cases, serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening.

Please note that the information in this article is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The use of medications should always be under the guidance and supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

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