Benefits of Increasing Serotonin

Since low levels of serotonin can be caused by the weather or lifestyle choices and not just genetically inherited, many people may benefit from increasing levels of serotonin.  Some of the signs of having low serotonin levels are craving sugar, caffeine, nicotine or alcohol, tiredness, anxiety, moodiness, trouble sleeping, hyperactivity, or trouble with concentration.  Some of the disorders that are linked to low levels of serotonin are Mood disorders, eating disorders, alcoholism, ADD, ADHD, OCD, ASD and sleep orders.


What is Serotonin:

Since serotonin sends a message to the brain to make happy, it is known as the "feel good" hormone.  Eating the right foods and getting adequate sunlight, sleep and exercise can all help boost serotonin levels.  Those who have low levels of serotonin may crave quick fixes such as caffeine, sugar, alcohol, or nicotine in order to send a temporary boost of serotonin to the brain.  The problem with these quick fixes is that they last for a short period of time and then cause the overall level of serotonin to crash.  After the crash, the cravings for a quick fix will return.  This continued spike and crash of serotonin will result a cycle of overuse of stimulants and possibly to dependency.  This quick fix roller coaster also can lead to sleep problems since serotonin turns into melatonin at night which is a chemical in the brain that helps you fall asleep.  

If your serotonin level is constantly spiking and crashing, the chances are you will not have enough serotonin to make melatonin at night.  People with serotonin deficiencies are likely to suffer from a variety of disorders.  Low levels of serotonin can lead to anxiety, doubt and depression which are linked to OCD and mood disorders.  Low serotonin levels are also linked to inattention and hyperactivity.  

Benefits of Correcting Serotonin Levels:

1. Improve Mood (counter mood disorders): A lot of people who live in areas with limited sunlight suffer from depression and mood disorders.  Those diagnosed with ADD and ADHD may also have issues with moodiness.  Since moodiness and depression can be tied to low levels of serotonin, boosting serotonin can significantly reduce depression and moodiness.
2. Eliminate Cravings for Stimulants (counter eating disorders & alcoholism): Our bodies often tell us when we are lacking something by making us crave what we are lacking.  In the case of serotonin deficiency, you are likely to crave sugar, caffeine or alcohol since these are all substances that can give you a quick fix of serotonin.  However, since it is only a temporary fix, it does not solve low serotonin levels and may actually deplete them even further.  Eating the right foods, exercising, getting sunlight and plenty of sleep can bring serotonin levels back to normal and significantly reduce cravings.  Reducing or eliminating the quick fix cravings can work toward countering eating disorders, obesity and alcoholism.  Incidentally overeating and alcoholism are often tied to depression.    
3. Decrease Doubt and Anxiety (counter OCD):  OCD is caused by feelings of fear, doubt and anxiety.  These feelings of doubt are directly tied to a lack of serotonin going to the brain.  If you or your kids are obsessive compulsive about certain things or about many things, you may benefit from increasing your level of serotonin.  Since drugs like Prozac put serotonin directly into the body, people who suffer from severe OCD are sometimes prescribed Prozac.  However, diet, exercise, sunlight and adequate sleep can help the body create serotonin independently without having to take any scary drugs.
4. Decrease Hyperactivity (counter ADHD): Increasing serotonin levels in those diagnosed with ADD and ADHD has been shown to greatly decrease hyperactivity.  Ritalin is a narcotic drug that is often prescribed to kids with ADHD.  Ritalin works by introducing the hormone dopamine, which in turn increases serotonin.  Since it is more likely that this boost in serotonin through taking Ritalin is what helps a kid calm down and stay focused, then ADHD kids can likewise benefit from increasing serotonin naturally through diet and exercise instead of having to take strong narcotic drugs. 
5. Improve Concentration (counter ADD): A lack of serotonin can lead to anxiety and anxiety can be a factor which leads to inattention and with problems concentrating.  If serotonin deficiency is addressed in kids or adults with ADD, this will result in an increase in ability to concentrate and stay focused.
6. Aid in production of Melatonin (counter sleep disorders): People who suffer from insomnia are often prescribed sleep aid drugs which contain melatonin.  Since serotonin turns into melatonin when the lights go out, those who suffer from sleep disorders can produce melatonin naturally  just by increasing serotonin levels.
7. Quiting smoking: In addition to the many benefits to increasing serotonin, increasing levels of serotonin may also help people quick smoking.  Since nicotine is a stimulant that increases serotonin to the brain just like sugar and caffeine, a diet which increases serotonin can naturally eliminate the craving for such a stimulant.  If the stimulant craving is gone, one is left with nicotine addiction, which would should be easier to address than both nicotine addiction and cravings for a stimulant to regulate serotonin levels. Additionally, nicotine and caffeine are known to be appetite depressors.  This is likely due to their ability to increase serotonin levels, which can lead to a significant elimination of other quick fix cravings such as cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.  Since many people worry that stopping smoking will make one gain weight, increasing serotonin levels naturally as a precursor to quitting will eliminate quick fix cravings across the board and quitting smoking will therefore not result in weight gain.
   

In addition to diet, exercise, sunlight and proper sleep, serotonin levels can be increased through laughter and through increasing other hormones such as dopamine which can increase through feelings of love and affection and through kind words or hugs.  Likewise, serotonin levels can decrease from high levels of stress.

Since this article is just a quick run down of the many benefits of boosting serotonin, here are some links to additional and more in depth reading on the subject:

Ten Foods that Increase Serotonin Levels

Serotonin and its uses

Serotonin may be better target for ADD treatment
Dopamine-Serotonin ineractions in ADHD
ADD & ADHD - The amino acid, tryptophan, is key to the body producing Serotonin

Conquering Anxiety with Neurotransmitters
Examining Eating Habits - Adult ADD/ADHD
Obsessive Compulsive Disrorder
Sleep Disorders and Serotonin Deficiency
Brain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression
Serotonin Producing Amino Acid 
Tryptophan