Serotonin is a special biologically active substance that is produced by the epiphysis, a small endocrine gland that is responsible for many important functions. Another name for this compound is the "happiness hormone".Scientists have so dubbed him because of a significant increase in his concentration during a period of good humor. It affects the appetite, general condition, sexual activity. The more it is, the better.
But how to increase serotonin levels and is it worth doing, in general? Everything depends on each individual. If he feels depressed and nothing can cheer him, then the patient needs help.
How is serotonin deficiency manifested?
Many people do not even know about the existence of a small epiphysis in the brain. This miniature gland affects the rhythm of sleep, mood swings, sexual and general activity of a person. To produce a hormone of happiness, this organ needs a special amino acid tryptophan, which is a substrate for the synthesis of serotonin. Without its sufficient amount, a number of characteristic manifestations appear in the body. The most common symptoms of such deficiency are the following:
- emotional lability with predominance of bad mood,
- permanent depression for no apparent reason,
- deterioration of concentration and memory,
- absent-mindedness, stiffness,
- feeling of hopelessness with the appearance of suicidal thoughts,
- disturbances in the rhythm of sleep,
- desire to eat a lot of sweet.
People mostly do not pay due attention to these manifestations. Lack of a hormone of happiness often becomes an accidental laboratory finding in the process of diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. Nevertheless, you need to take care of your body to the fullest. In addition, the adequacy of the human sleep regime depends on the amount of serotonin. Melatonin is synthesized from this substance, which is responsible for the correct process of immersion in sleep and awakening. That is why the lack of a hormone of happiness leads to insomnia and a change in the normal rhythm of dreams.
How to increase serotonin level?
There are drug and non-pharmacological methods of influencing the production of serotonin in the brain. To maintain the internal balance in the body and maximum natural impact on the body, it is better to start with methods that do not involve the use of a variety of drugs or solutions.
The most effective methods that will help increase the amount of serotonin in the blood are:
- Sufficient insolation. It is statistically proven that the highest suicide rate among Scandinavians. Most scientists attribute this to the least amount of sunny days compared to other countries of the European Union and the world. After a study, 15 men in Sweden found that they all suffered from a lack of a hormone of happiness. After intensive sun treatment, they managed to raise the serotonin index to the normal value. All of them noted improvement in mood and overall well-being.
- Good night's sleep. It is extremely important to sleep exactly in the dark. Thus, without the use of drugs, it is possible to normalize the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin. Night watching movies or dancing in the club until the morning reduce the hormone of happiness. As a result, all the characteristic symptoms of the disease develop.
- Yoga, meditation, physical exercises, sex. Any activity that is pleasant to a person( favorite hobby, playing musical instruments, listening to music, watching interesting films) can raise the level of serotonin.
- Eating sweets. Strangely enough, but it is glucose stimulates the epiphysis, and he begins to produce the necessary substance. This explains the desire of people after another quarrel or stress to eat something sweet. However, one should not take everything too literally and attack a variety of confectionery products.
- Proper and healthy nutrition can also help increase the amount of active substance in the body. The main thing to pay more attention to dairy products, bananas, cereals, vegetables, bitter chocolate and fruits. They do not directly contain serotonin, but they are sources of tryptophan - the basis for creating the necessary hormone of happiness.
Medication Methods
In cases where it is not possible to increase serotonin levels in the body, it is necessary to start using special medications. By their mechanism of action, they refer to antidepressants and are allocated to a group of selective serotonin reuptake blockers. In a simple way, they do not allow it to be disposed of in nerve endings and maintain its stable concentration in the blood. They are very popular among psychotherapists because of their mild effect and a small number of adverse reactions. The most common drugs are the following:
- Fluoxetine. Produced in the form of tablets for internal use. Use 1 tab.once a day in the morning. The course of therapy is appointed by the attending physician and directly depends on the degree of progression of the pathology.
- Paroxetine. The analogue of the previous medicine. A single dose is 20 mg. Take 1 tablet in the morning with food. The average duration of treatment with this drug is 2-3 weeks.
- Sertraline. A dose of 0.05 to 0.2 g per 1 reception per day. The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor, depending on the individual characteristics of each patient.
- Fluvoxamine. One of the easiest medicines. It can be used for 50-150 mg per single use per day for six months.
Drugs should be taken only after consultation with the doctor and appropriate doses. Self-treatment is prohibited. Therapy of serotonin deficiency is a responsible process that must be performed correctly.
