Serotonin is a chemical that neurons produce to communicate with each other, it is a neurotransmitter found in different regions of our central nervous system, considered by some researchers as the happiness hormone, is a sedative and anti-depressive substance that has a direct relationship with mood.
Among its various functions, it intervenes in the body controlling and balancing appetite, through the feeling of satiety; it is also responsible for controlling sleep cycles and excessive levels of this neurotransmitter to generate insomnia.
- It plays an important role in sexuality because when it is at moderately high levels sexual desire increases.
- On the contrary.
- When it is at low levels it may be responsible for decreased sexual appetite.
Serotonin is also involved in aggression, irritation, mood balance, body temperature and pain.
Serotonin is the objective measure of our mood
At adequate levels, Serotonin creates a sense of pleasure and well-being in our body, on the other hand, when you are at low levels due to poor diet or prolonged periods of stress, it is associated with anxiety disorders.
One of the most important functions involved is the balance of body temperature, a difference of a few degrees of body temperature involves the mass death of large groups of cellular tissues.
It also plays an important role in bone health. People who take antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may have their bone density altered. In childhood, it controls the secretion of hormones, such as growth. Changes in the level of this substance are associated with mental imbalances such as schizophrenia and childhood autism.
“The body must be in perfect condition. If the body deteriorates, the mind deteriorates. Can’t you separate the body from the mind?” -Bobby Fischer-
Research on subjective well-being has revealed valuable information about the sources of individual happiness, an important discovery is how people show a more or less large tendency to happiness, so if we made a pizza with all the factors that influence happiness and division into 100 servings, 50 would match genetics.
Specifically, the Serotonin-carrying gene, the 5-HTTLPR gene, is responsible for the feeling of happiness. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, author of the research that highlighted the importance of this gene, also notes that it is not a single gene. that determines whether or not a person feels satisfied with their life. De Neve points out that it is not yet clear how this gene influences the brain, but it is known that appropriate levels of the 5-HTTLPR gene increase a person’s susceptibility to happiness.
“Happiness does not depend on achievements or ideal situations, but on our mental health. -Rafael Santandreu-
Increasing Serotonin levels is, of course, one of the best things we can do for our own happiness. Regular relaxation exercises help eliminate stress, get a good night’s sleep and feel rested. Relaxation exercises consist of relaxing parts of the body by straining and relaxing muscles.
Activities that are enjoyable and make us feel good influence the increase in Serotonin, improving our own mood, sunbathing and maintaining a regular sleep cycle helps us maintain an adequate balance of our Serotonin levels, directly affecting our feeling of happiness.
If you want a life full of Serotonin, you should move away from excessive consumption of alcohol, sugar and refined flour, energy drinks or caffeine-based beverages and medications.
In addition, genetic factors need to be considered to affect Serotonin levels and production, explaining why some people are more likely than others to develop certain disorders.
“Happiness is inner, not outward; therefore, it depends not on what we have, but on who we are. Henry Van Dyke?
References
De Neve, J. E. (2011). Functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) of the Serotonin transport gene is associated with subjective well-being: evidence of a nationally representative sample of the United States. Journal of Human Genetics, 56 (6), 456-459.
Guadarrama, L. , Escobar, A. et Zhang, L. (2006). Neurochemical and neuroanatomical bases of depression. Rev Fac Med UNAM, 49 (2), 66-72.
Minkov, M. et Bond, M. H. (2016). A genetic component of national differences in happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1-20.
Peir, S. , Cervera, P. et Bernal-Delgado, E. (2005). Selective Serotonin Recovery Inhibitors in Childhood Depression: A “snake” that reflects significant drug safety issues. Health Gazette, 19 (5), 401-406 .