What Is The Relationship Between Serotonin And Depression

Serotonin (5-HT) is a chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter that the human body produces. It plays a key role in the central nervous system, in the overall functioning of the body and in particular in the gastrointestinal tract.

Serotonin helps regulate mood, social behavior, eating habits, sleep and sexual desire. By participating in mood regulation, is related to depressive disorder.

Low serotonin and depression

And you might think… are low serotonin levels contributing to depression? Or, on the contrary, does depression cause a decrease in serotonin levels? Depression and serotonin are linked, but we don’t know which causes which. Next, we show you the scientific evidence that has tried to find the relationship between serotonin and depression

In 1965, Joseph Schildkraut was the pioneer in publishing a hypothesis that linked depression and a low level of norepyrephrine. Years later, other researchers proposed that serotonin could be the neurotransmitter with the greatest influence on emotions. In addition, attempts have also been made to induce depressive states by chemically decreasing serotonin levels during an experiment, but the results are not convincing.

Recent studies in neurochemistry and psychology have not been able to establish a direct relationship between serotonin and depression What we can determine today is that the brain is a very complex organ and we know little about how it works. Fortunately, these studies continue to advance very quickly and it is possible that in a short time we will be able to prove (or disprove) the theories of chemical imbalance.

Although scientific evidence does not demonstrate a direct relationship, it is important to maintain good levels of serotonin to maintain our mental health. Next, we teach you how to increase serotonin levels:

How to increase serotonin naturally

You can increase serotonin levels naturally. As?

• Working out. Doing regular physical exercise tends to increase the levels of many neurotransmitters, including serotonin. That’s why when we finish playing sports we feel better.
• Maintaining a regular sleep cycle. We need to rest between seven and eight hours a day to recover from external factors that cause stress and fatigue. Lack of sleep keeps stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) permanently elevated and disrupts the circadian rhythm.
• Sunbathing. Sunbathing increases vitamin D and balances the level of melatonin, which is involved in the production of serotonin.
• With your diet. A diet rich in tryptophan (a substance that helps our body produce more serotonin). Some foods that contain it: chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa) and banana!
• Practicing relaxation techniques. It will help you regulate your body’s functions. Suggestions: abdominal breathing, yoga, mindfulness…
• Working your mind. “The placebo is you.”
• Doing pleasant activities to feel positive emotions.

Serotonin in drugs

The antidepressant drugs par excellence are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that modify its levels. The most popular SSRI antidepressant is fluoxetine and its function is to prevent serotonin from leaving our brain and keep serotonin levels between neurons high, which can help relieve symptoms of depression.

At present, the mechanism of action is not completely clarified. Serotonin levels can be measured in the blood, but it is not yet known with certainty whether these blood levels reflect serotonin levels in the brain.

Important! These medications should only be taken under the prescription of a specialist doctor and without excessive use of them.

Last but not least, it is essential not to generalize! Although it is undeniable that this neurotransmitter is important for mental health, thinking that the problem of depression boils down to serotonin levels in the brain is inaccurate. The brain and our own way of interacting with the world is much more complex.

Serotonin deficiency is a relevant factor for depressive disorder, but we have to be aware that it is the combination of different factors which predisposes a person to suffer depressive symptoms.

Keep in mind, too, that it has been scientifically proven that psychotherapy is highly effective in mild and moderate depressive disorders. However, for severe cases of depression or for certain people, psychotherapy may not be enough. Even so, each case is different and we recommend that you consult with a specialist to address the situation in an individual way adapted to your needs.

Remember that your health and well-being always come first!

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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