Guide To Understanding Serotonin

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous condition where an individual experiences an inappropriate elevation of serotonin in their body. Serotonergic drugs cause serotonin syndrome. These are medications that change the level of serotonin in an individual's body. Patients who take one or more of these medications can develop this syndrome when their dose is increased. Serotonin syndrome can also occur when patients overdose on the medication, whether it is intentional or unintentional. An individual may develop this syndrome when they take two of these medications simultaneously.

Several medications have been implicated in serotonin syndrome. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, have been known to induce this condition. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, including duloxetine, have as well. Other medications that can cause this syndrome include phenelzine, nortriptyline, and bupropion.

Continue reading to learn about the link between serotonin and depression next.

Serotonin And Depression

Many experts believe that an individual who does not have enough receptor sites to receive serotonin can develop depression. This thought also applies to those who have a malfunction that causes serotonin to be unable to reach these sites. Other experts have concluded depression has more association with a lack of new brain cell regeneration because serotonin helps stimulate brain cell production. Despite numerous theories about how serotonin levels in an individual's brain can result in depression, there is no method to measure the amount of it inside a living brain.

Blood levels of serotonin, however, are measurable. They are thought to correlate with serotonin levels in an individual's brain, though this has not been proven. Researchers have conducted studies that revealed individuals who have depression also tend to have lower blood serotonin levels.

Get the details on the uses for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors next.