Is Serotonin a Happy Hormone?
Serotonin is what mainstream and alternative health knows as “happy hormone.” The most popular kind of antidepressant, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), increases the action of this hormone in the brain.
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Contrary to what we’ve been led to believe, serotonin, which wasn’t recognized as a neurotransmitter until the 1960s, is actually a stress hormone. It’s the yang to dopamine, the true neurotransmitter of “pleasure.”☯️
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Elevated levels of serotonin are linked with health issues in these areas:
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Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Vision
Fibrotic
Digestion
Immune
Blood Sugar
Obesity
Thyroid
Anxiety/Mood
Developmental/Learning
Behavior
Neurodegenerative
Mental
Movement
Vertigo
Libido
Fertility
Aging
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Serotonin is a hormone of hibernation and simple survival (hence it putting us in a stressed state). It also has a very close relationship with iron.
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⏸️In an iron-lady body, the copper proteins that neutralize and keep serotonin in check are overwhelmed and can’t do their job.
⤴️Serotonin increases and so do stress hormones (cortisol), which release free fatty acids from the tissue (usually PUFA).
⬆️Lactic acid builds.
⬇️Energy production and the metabolism slows.
🔃PUFAs increase the uptake and formation of serotonin into the brain.
⤴️Serotonin increases stress hormone production and the cycle repeats.
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Unfortunately, females are more susceptible to elevated serotonin levels because estrogen prevents the enzymes that detox it from working, as well as increases its rate of production.♀️
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What else can cause elevated serotonin?
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Iron overload
Copper deficiency
Low sodium
Intestinal irritation
Endotoxin
Hypothyroidism
Progesterone deficiency
Consuming PUFA, fruits high in serotonin, like bananas, pineapples and tomatoes, and foods high in tryptophan (next post) when you're already overloaded
Supplements
Medications
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Serotonin isn't bad — we need it to survive. But just like anything in excess, it can work against us.
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Some food for thought!
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Bassiouni, B.A. Rafei, A.A. (1979). 5-Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), copper and ceruloplasmin plasma concentrations in spontaneous abortion. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0028224379900030.
Haidut. (2019). Aspirin safe and effective for prevention AND treatment of migraine. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=774.
Haidut. (2019). Blocking serotonin, adrenaline treats anxiety, brain damage due to alcohol “addiction”. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=805.
Haidut. (2019). Chronic stress (adversity) lowers dopamine and causes mental illness. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=709.
Haidut. (2019). Elevated serotonin increases criminal activity. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=76.
Haidut. (2019). Gut serotonin (due to bacteria) is the master regulator of metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and weight. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=557.
Haidut. (2019). LSD enters clinical trials for Alzheimer Disease (AD). Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=803.
Haidut. (2019). PUFA and serotonin promote each other, and likely cause mental illness. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=655.
Haidut. (2019). A selective serotonin antagonist is a potent antidepressant. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=146.
Haidut. (2019). Vitamin E, anabolic / catatoxic steroids, egg yolks stop soft tissue calcification and (maybe) even aging. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=817.
Haidut. (2019). Serotonin causes anhedonia…and mental illness in general. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=761.
Haidut. (2019). Serotonin causes the startle response, and likely PTSD as well. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=757.
Haidut. (2019). Serotonin excess, not dopamine deficiency, may be the cause of Parkinson. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=219.
Haidut. (2019). SSRI drugs during pregnancy cause child autism, antiserotonin drugs cure it. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=86.
Haidut. (2020). Blocking serotonin may treat allergies and inflammatory diseases. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=1057.
Haidut. (2020). Blocking serotonin treats fatty liver disease (NAFLD / NASH). Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=1090.
Haidut. (2020). Pulmonary hypertension (usually fatal) likely driven by increased fat oxidation (FAO). Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=907.
Haidut. (2020). Serotonin antagonists as treatment for COVID-19 / SARS. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=939.
Haidut. (2020). Serotonin may be a cause of hemorrhoids and tinnitus. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=937.
Haidut. (2020). SSRI drugs strikingly toxic for fetal brain, may cause autism. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=960.
Haidut. (2020). SSRI drugs increase violent behavior and promote recidivism. Retrieved from: http://haidut.me/?p=1082.
Peat, R. (2006). Tryptophan, serotonin, and aging. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/aging/tryptophan-serotonin-aging.shtml.
Peat, R. (2012). Serotonin, depression, and aggression: The problem of brain energy. Retrieved from: https://raypeat.com/articles/articles/serotonin-depression-aggression.shtml.
Peat, R. (2015). Serotonin: Effects in disease, aging and inflammation. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/serotonin-disease-aging-inflammation.shtml.
Roddy, D. Dinkov, G. (2020). #28: Fat vs. Sugar Metabolism | Depression and Serotonin | Anxiety | Cardiolipin, Aging, and PUFA. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpkIelqVyCQ&feature=em-lbcastemail&t=6110s.
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