SEROTONIN AND ITS USES

SEROTONIN AND ITS USES

SEROTONIN AND ITS USES

 

One of my friends asked me through blog what is the role of Serotonin? He asked me further that he has listened the Serotonin, dopamine, etc, When ever reader reading articles on Meditation, Yoga, or Exercises, walking, Aging, growth, Bone metabolism, Behavior, Cardiovascular areas they are coming across the terms of   Serotonin, dopamine, GABA, etc. This question probes me to write this Blog.

 

Serotonin ( 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-Ht) is a Neurotransmitter. It has a wide impact on many brain functions. It is amalgamate from the amino acid L –tryptophan in the brain neurons. It is stock up in Vesicles. Serotonin originates in three major areas of the body. It is found in the intestinal wall, large slender blood vessels and the central nervous system. Enterochromaffin cells in the alimentary canal consist of 90%of the human body’s total serotonin. The molecular formula of serotonin is C₁₀H₁₂N₂O.     

The functions of serotonin are many and several. It involve in the control of appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, mood, behavior including sexual and hallucinogenic, cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation and depression. Each Serotonin neuron applies an authority and power over as many as 500,000 target neurons. Serotonin spreads from brain to all parts of the Central nervous system. It is a most expensive Neuro chemical system the brain. Serotonin also plays role in the cognitive functions, including memory and learning. It also affects on ageing.

It helps to regulate hemostasis and blood clotting. It also plays role in wound healing.

 

 

It is very useful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD (obsessive- compulsive disorder), Schizophrenia, Stroke, obesity, Pain, Hyper tension, vascular disorders, migraine, and Nausea. They are four types of receptors of serotonin. They are 5-HT1, 5HT2, 5HT3, and 5HT4.The research has been carrying on the subtypes and specific function of each receptor. The researches have identified that there is link between depression and serotonin. They found decreased concentration of serotonin 5-HTAA in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues of depressed people. Antidepressants enhance serotonin activity at the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake

Experts say serotonin also might have a role in migraine, vomiting and appetite.Alterations in serotonin levels in the brain may affect mood. Some antidepressant medications affect the action of serotonin, i.e. they are used to treat depression.

The Serotonin levels composition is different from male to female. Its levels change with the seasons. Its levels are not the same throughout the year. There are many fluctuations.

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There are vitamins and tablets helps to raise the serotonin levels normally. Vigorous exercises or daily exercises help to raise the serotonin levels in the body. It increases the serotonin only after the some days of activity. So Doing regular exercises have greater benefits.

Daily exercises for 30 minutes which has to raise your heart rate. This activity increases the levels of serotonin on a long term basis. If you can’t allot 30 minutes every day all at once, you can split your time into two to three sessions consisting of 10 minutes each. Muscle toning exercises crank up brain levels of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps to take the edge of anxiety and helps ruined up blue moods. Yoga or exercises stimulates Vagus nerve. This Vagus nerve works on parasympathetic nervous system. This boost up GABA making you feel happy and relaxed. This creates feel good atmosphere in the body. Walking or rigorous exercises, cycling, weight lifting, rafting, skewing etc helps to increase the brain chemicals like serotonin. Exercises are one way to increase the serotonin levels in the body.

Biochemically it is derived from tryptophan. It is popularly known to be a provider of an attitude approach of well being and cheerfulness, joy glee and bliss. An increase in the ratio of tryptophan to phenylalanine and leucine will increase serotonin levels

Serotonin is found in foods with good ratio included dates, papayas, plantains, banana, pineapples, kiwi fruit, plums, walnuts, hickory and tomatoes and small quantities in various vegetables also.

Foods that rich in amino acid tryptophan can increase the serotonin levels. Exposure to sunlight and exercises can also increase the serotonin levels. If you are continuously in bad moods or facing trouble with lack of sleep, the problem may be low levels of serotonin.

In the hustle and bustle world we are running for every activity, multitasking, not taking sufficient food at right time is also another reason for your feelings of worn out, exhausted and mentally drained and depressed.

Serotonin elevates mood. It increases the feelings of satisfaction.  We may get this satisfaction after playing briskly or doing rigorous exercise or a long run or short bustle of run or skipping activity, swimming, or eating a plate of a biryani or any interesting food, or spending time with intimate friends or family. Serotonin levels come down with anxiety or stress or low carbohydrate diet or inactivity.

Exercises help to increase the norepinephrine,a neurotransmitter that increases the ability to control our impulses and make them as socially adoptable and sociable person. Norepinephrine increases the Serotonin level. It regulates mood and other physical activities. Physical exercises burn neurons faster. This physical activity helps to produce higher quantities of serotonin in the body. Regular exercises help to reduce tension, anxiety, mood disorders and other problems.

If people don’t have sufficient levels of serotonin in the brain leads to high risk of facing the problems of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Dr. KESIRAJU RAMPRASAD

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST