What is serotonin?

Serotonin is a chemical produced in the body (hormone), and it is

also a neurotransmitter exchanged by nerve endings in the brain.

In order to produce serotonin, the body mainly needs the amino

acid tryptophan, which we get from our diet, mainly: nuts, cheese,
and red meat.

A deficiency of tryptophan acid may lead to a decrease in

serotonin levels, which may even result in mood disorders such as
anxiety, depression, and melancholy.
How does serotonin affect the body?
In fact, the effect of serotonin is not limited to your body only,
but it also affects your emotions and motor skills, as it affects:
depression, anxiety, wound healing, nausea stimulation, bone
health, and others.

Let's learn about which functions in the body serotonin affects:

Bowel movement: The hormone serotonin is primarily found in

the human stomach and intestines, so it helps control bowel
movement, functions, and regulate it.
Mood: Serotonin is believed to be a neurotransmitter that
regulates anxiety, happiness, and general mood, while its
decrease is linked to depression, and its increase seems to
contribute to increasing feelings of excitement and enthusiasm.
Nausea: It seems that serotonin is also responsible for the state
of diarrhea that may affect you as a result of food poisoning or
nausea as well, as the body secretes it when it absorbs the
presence of unpleasant food, and in turn stimulates the body to
vomit and diarrhea.
Sleep: Serotonin is vital for sleep, as well as for waking up, as it
depends on the type of nerve receptors it receives, but in general,
it is necessary for its level to be appropriate for a person to have
sufficient amounts of both conditions.
Blood clotting: Blood platelets work to clot wounds and heal
them by releasing serotonin, which in turn narrows small arteries,
which helps cause local blood clots and thus clots wounds.
Bone strength and health: An increase in the level of serotonin in
the body would threaten a person with osteoporosis, which
makes them weaker and more likely to break, and thus more
difficult to splint.
Serotonin and psychological and mental health
Serotonin appears to help maintain a more positive and balanced
mental health. When serotonin levels are normal in your body,
you will be happier, more focused, emotionally stable, and less
anxious.

In addition, depression, sleep disorders and insomnia are

associated with low levels of serotonin
What is the appropriate serotonin level in the body?
The normal range for serotonin levels in the blood is 101-283
nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/ml). Of course, there may be
a slight difference in values depending on the sample and method
of measurement.

High levels of serotonin may be an important indication of the

body’s tendency to develop some cancers, such as: the small
intestine, colon, and bronchial tubes, so it is very important to
consult a doctor in this case.