What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a natural body neurotransmitter. A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that delivers information from one part of the brain to another. Serotonin is manufactured inside the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is present in carbohydrates and other food sources. Once serotonin is synthesized it is then stored in areas of the brain called serotonergic neurons (brain cells). When these neurons are stimulated serotonin is released and will then attach to serotonin receptor sites which in turn causes activation of that serotonergic neuron. Serotonin is inactivated (“metabolized”) in the body by oxidating enzymes such as monoamine oxidase.

There are different types of serotonin receptors and these are present in different parts of the brain as well as other parts of the body. Different effects in the body may occur depending on which serotonin receptors are activated. Serotonin imbalance has been implicated as the cause of depression, eating disorders such as obesity, premenstrual syndrome (“PMS”), migraine headaches, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prescription medications and over-the-counter dietary supplements that attempt to raise serotonin levels or stimulate serotonin receptors include:

• Prozac^®, Zoloft™ and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (“SSRIs”) are used to treat depression
• Meridia^® and other prescription medications are used for weight loss
• Sarafem^® is a prescription medication for treating PMS
• Imitrex^®, Maxalt^®, and Zomig^® are prescription medications used to treat migraine headaches
• St. John’s Wort is used to enhance mood
• 5-HTP is used to enhance mood and lose weight

 

Any Statements Concerning These Products Have Not Been Reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.