Some experts believe that low serotonin has become a virtual epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is the key to our feelings of happiness, and it helps defend against both anxiety and depression.
That said, it is no surprise that serotonin imbalance is one of the most common contributors to female mood problems. When you have too little, you will usually feel uneasiness, distress, and highly emotional or agitated. Often, depression can occur in women because of low serotonin in combination with fluctuating estrogen levels, which may explain why some women have increased emotional imbalances during postpartum, premenstrual, and menopausal times.
In the central nervous system, serotonin acts as a calming neurotransmitter, and one of its main roles is to balance and control the other stimulating neurotransmitters.
With normal levels of serotonin you may feel:
- Happy
- A sense of well-being
- Mellow and relaxed
- Hopeful and optimistic
- At peace
- Creative and thoughtful
- Solid impulse control; Can say “no” more easily
- Reduced sensitivity to pain
- Deep restful sleep
- Security and safety
With low levels of serotonin you may feel:
- Anger, irritability, filled with rage
- Violent and anti social behavior
- Can’t sleep well, insomnia
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Rapid thoughts
- Decreased interest in sex
- Carbohydrate and sugar cravings
- Alcohol cravings
- Headaches and migraines
- Aches and pains
- Intestinal distress
A natural supplement called 5-HTP can raise serotonin levels. 5-HTP is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid called tryptophan. Brain cells synthesize 5-HTP in a two-step process that begins with tryptophan, which comes from dietary sources such as turkey and milk. Once absorbed into the cell, tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP the precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin (for peace and calming) and the hormone melatonin, which helps in sleep regulation.
There are several advantages for taking 5-HTP, as opposed to L-tryptophan to elevate brain serotonin levels. The main one is simple: 5-HTP is one step closer to metabolically building serotonin than tryptophan. In other words, 5-HTP more readily converts to serotonin than tryptophan does.
For more information about a professional grade 5-HTP that I personally recommend, click here.
