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Serotonin Depletion

The brain controls all of our responses, including our emotions. Serotonin depletion, a lack of sufficient quantities of an essential neurotransmitter, can lead to depression.

  1. Serotonin

    • Substances called neurotransmitters attach to receptor cells in the brain to influence mental and emotional functions, according to the Mayo Clinic. A neurotransmitter called serotonin regulates mood.

    Significance

    • A baseline level of serotonin keeps nerve impulses flowing freely in the brain, which in turn elevates mood. Serotonin depletion, either through insufficient production or through insufficient absorption by the brain, can cause or magnify symptoms of depression.

    Tryptophan

    • The body synthesizes serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. If the body does not ingest sufficient quantities of this amino acid, serotonin depletion results.

    Serotonin-reuptake Inhibitors

    • Drugs known as serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, prevent neurons from re-absorbing serotonin before the brain can use it, making a higher level of serotonin available to the brain.

    Other Solutions

    • Boosting tryptophan intake may give the body a chance to produce more serotonin. 5-HTP, a chemical precursor to serotonin, can also boost serotonin levels when taken in supplement form, according to Healthyplace.com.

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