Natural Methods of Serotonin Uptake

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are anti-depressants used to keep high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin circulating through the brain, beneficial due to serotonin's ability to inspire calm and happiness. Serotonin has a role in regulating sleep and appetite, improving mood, memory and learning. Imbalanced serotonin levels, however, have been correlated with the incidence of schizophrenia, depression, compulsive disorders and learning problems. Using natural methods to supply serotonin to the brain can help someone to reap the benefits of serotonin without the side effects of conventional anti-depressants.

Protein

• To understand how protein sources affect serotonin production, know that serotonin is made from tryptophan. Directly eating sources of tryptophan gets the tryptophan into your system, ready to follow different paths. Some tryptophan will become protein, some will turn into vitamin B3 and some will become serotonin. Chicken, white flakey fish, lean pork, veal, cottage, low-fat dairy products, soy and legumes are all notably high in tryptophan.

Carbohydrate Intake

• When you think about carbohydrates, think about them sparking a wave of insulin that tryptophan can "ride on" to get into the brain. Once it is there, tryptophan can become serotonin. Only a small amount of carbohydrate provides insulin to the brain. Even a piece of bread or a 1/4 cup of any carbohydrate source should be enough to encourage serotonin production. The Environmental, Illness Resource website suggests utilizing the healthiest carbohydrate sources possible--whole grains. Barley, oats, buckwheat and carbohydrate-rich vegetables such as yams, sweet potatoes and squashes are all great choices.

Moderate Exercise

• Exercise that's done regularly and moderately can boost the overall feeling of calmness by causing more serotonin to surge through the brain. The very action of moving and getting your heart pumping results in more serotonin being made and more serotonin being released. To boot, more of the friendly precursor tryptophan is available to the brain after exercise, making a conversion to serotonin more likely.

Meditation

• Taking time to relax and think might seem like it wouldn't have much impact on overall feelings of happiness and calm, but in fact more serotonin is released as a result. Research shows not only that meditation increases serotonin levels, but also that it encourages the conversion of serotonin to melatonin. Melatonin plays a role in sleep regulation as part of the sleep-wake cycle, just another benefit of natural serotonin. Meditative benefit is achieved from doing relaxing, uplifting activities that require little exertion.