The serotonergic system is made up of neurons, enzymes, and transporters that perform various actions with serotonin, such as its production, release, and reuptake.
Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter found in the body of humans, animals, plants and fungi. To understand what the concept refers to, we must be clear about certain issues.
Neurotransmitters , also known as neuromediators , are biomolecules that are responsible for sending data from one neuron to another through the synapse . Biomolecules, in turn, are the molecules that make up living beings; neurons, meanwhile, cells found in the nervous system.
When a neurotransmitter houses an amino group linked, through a one-carbon chain, to an aromatic ring, it is called a monoamine neurotransmitter . The amino group , for its part, is functional and is derived from ammonia or one of its derivatives of the alkyl group due to the loss of one of the hydrogen atoms .
What is serotonin
As you can see, a correct understanding of what we call serotonin requires knowledge of chemistry . Summarizing everything said in the previous lines, we can say that serotonin is a biomolecule that functions as a neurotransmitter since it sends information between one neuron and another.
In the case of people, serotonin is synthesized in neurons of the central nervous system or in cells of the digestive tract . This biomolecule plays a relevant role in the inhibition and regulation of sleep , appetite , sexuality , body temperature and anger , for example.
This means that various emotional states of the human being , such as anxiety , anguish, happiness or fear , are linked to the levels of serotonin present in the body.
depression
Depression is another of the illnesses that seem to be closely linked to serotonin, although scientists have not been able to clearly establish whether a deficiency of the latter is what causes it or if, on the contrary, it is depression itself that causes it. said decrease. One theory is that this disorder arises as a result of a hormonal imbalance.
One of the obstacles to solving this question and to determining once and for all the true causes of depression and its relationship with serotonin is the impossibility of measuring the levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain , something that science has managed to do. out into the bloodstream. To further complicate the situation, researchers also do not know for sure whether serotonin levels in the blood reflect those in the brain.
Despite the lack of clarity on the issues surrounding serotonin and depression, it is believed that certain medications, such as the so-called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) , are capable of relieving the typical symptoms associated with depression. One of the most famous drugs that fulfills this same function is Prozac , frequently prescribed by psychiatric experts.
Scientists believe there is a link between serotonin and schizophrenia.
Variability in serotonin levels
As a curious fact, it is known that serotonin levels in the blood are variable; When dusk arrives, they increase and remain elevated until the beginning of the next day. Furthermore, men generate 50% more than women , and this explains why they have a greater sensitivity to changes in this neurotransmitter in the blood, which also seems to be linked to the appearance of premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression, when the levels are low.
Other complications that are associated with low levels of serotonin in the blood are, in the case of those who suffer from fibromyalgia, depression, problems falling asleep and chronic pain. Since humans need the amino acid tryptophan to synthesize serotonin, it is important to eat a diet that allows us to manufacture it; Some ideal foods for this are soybeans and nuts.
The receivers
Serotonin receptors are responsible for modulating the release of various neurotransmitters and hormones, such as cortisol , prolactin , oxytocin , acetylcholine , dopamine and glutamate . Therefore, they intervene in processes linked to insomnia, anxiety, memory, learning, mood regulation and eating behavior.
It should be noted that multiple drugs act on serotonin receptors. Antidepressants , hallucinogens , antipsychotics and prokinetics are some of them.
Various mood disorders can be associated with serotonin levels in the body.
Serotonin and the sun
Science has shown that the number of hours of sunshine influences mood: when the days are longer, people tend to have a better mood compared to shorter days.
According to specialists, this particularity is associated with the production of serotonin that is stimulated by sunlight . Therefore, during spring and summer, the changes caused by serotonin levels in the body have a positive impact on emotions. Faced with this reality, there is so-called phototherapy , which uses ultraviolet radiation to treat health disorders.