Clinical Definition

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter made from the amino acid tryptophan. It plays a role in the regulation of sleep, appetite, mood and pain. Serotonin is made and released naturally. Some antidepressant medications act by increasing the availability of serotonin for central signaling to positively affect mood in depressed patients.

In Our Own Words

Serotonin is a chemical signal involved in sleep, pain, appetite, attention, blood pressure regulation and mood, just to name a few areas. Imbalances in serotonin are known to play a role in depression and other mental illnesses and conditions, including PMS, migraines, sudden infant death syndrome, bone remodeling, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The benefits of good nutrition and exercise are recognized, but the relationships between specific nutrients and their impact on the brain and mood are not yet completely understood.