Serotonin is a Downer, not a Feel-Good Hormone

I came a cross this recent article in Psychology Today magazine and I thought it would be helpful to share this information about depression and serotonin lowering dugs because antidepressants are so commonly prescribed (if you don’t take them, you likely know someone who does) and also because excess serotonin contributes to a variety of common health issues.

When I help clients to wean off serotonin raising antidepressants (SSRI medications), various issues that ail them often go away or improve greatly; Things such as fatigue, sleeping problems, digestive issues, weight gain, high blood sugar, anxiety, migraines or sexual disfunction to name a few.

This may sound strange, since, there is a general acceptance, marketed largely by the pharma companies, that serotonin Is a good thing, “a feel-good” hormone.

One of the things the article reaffirmed to me, by pointing out to this study and other, was that in depression serotonin levels are higher, not lower. This argument, (that in depression and anxiety serotonin is low), is off course the basis for prescribing Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor medications that are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety.

The interviewee in the article points out that when a person responds well to SSRI medications, it is because the regulatory mechanisms in the body kick in to “push back” against, and decrease serotonin levels. Another research paper suggested that perhaps the body adapts to the higher serotonin levels.

However, if these response mechanisms don’t happen and serotonin levels increase, the types of side effects and health issues mentioned above appear, and depression and anxiety may persist or return.

Serotonin was initially discovered in 1930s when researchers found a substance in the intestine and in the blood that cause the intestines and the blood vessels to contract.

It was sown that in high amounts It can cause scarring in the gut, heart, lungs and other organs.

Indeed, more than 95% of the serotonin in the body is in the gastrointestinal tract and it rises in response to emotional, physical or chemical stressors. Only a marginal amount is produced in the brain.

High serotonin is the possible cause of a wide range of health issues, including diabetes (including “type 3 diabetes” aka Alzheimer’s disease), inflammatory bowl diseases, and a variety of cancers to name a few.

Most cases of depression, tend to be transient, meaning they don’t last forever, so taking mediations perpetually may not be required.

It is part of the human condition to feel sadness or worry, however what turns these emotions into states of depression or anxiety is a state of “tired” cells. Depression is typically accompanied by both “mental” and physical fatigue, which make it harder for the person to deal with her or his challenges.

When steps are taken to ameliorate the generation of energy in the cells of the body, everything improves, including upliftment from states of depression and anxiety.

Anyone who is interested in stopping their antidepressant medications must not stop “cold turkey”, but rather work with a healthcare provider and wean off gradually.

Hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email back.