Introduction
The brain of organism especially human beings consists of many thousands of chemicals that are constantly being secreted to regulate various body functions. The brain produces many chemicals which have different functions; among these chemicals produced by the brain is one chemical known as serotonin which is produced using amino acids known as tryptophan. Serotonin is a vital chemical used in production of “happy feeling” hormones in the body and is also necessary in promoting sleep, calmness and relieving depression (Berger, Gray and Roth).
Serotonin, also known as the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a hormone which is found in the pineal gland, blood platelets, digestive tract, and in the Central Nervous System (Berger et al). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects that serotonin has in the brain and how it interacts with other chemicals in the body
How Serotonin affects the brain and addictions
Serotonin is an indoleamine chemical secreted by the brain that consists of an indole ring and a carboxyl-amide side chain. It is a chemical substance that is created in the body through a chemical process;it occurs when a protein substance trypton combines with another substance tryptophan hydroxylase to form a complex substance called 5- hydroxytryptamine which is also known as 5-HT (Berger, Gray and Roth). Tryptophan is acquired from the diet. It is a neurotransmitter, whose role is to facilitate communication between the brain and all parts of the body. It is the medium through which all communications between the brain and millions of cells take place.
As such it plays a vital role in the psychological and physiological processes of the body (Berger, Gray and Roth). There is also scientific evidence that indicates serotonin is integral in influencing body desires and state of mind such as mood, sexual desire, appetite, rest, memory, learning processes, temperature regulation and social behavior (Berger, Gray and Roth). All this feelings emanates from the brain which is our first indication that tells us that serotonin does indeed affect the brain as well as addictions as we shall shortly see.
In fact the impact that serotonin has in our body are not just limited to the brain region as it is also involved in the functioning of the cardio-vascular system, muscular system and some aspects of the endocrine system (Paterson,Trachtenberg, Thompson, Belliveau, Beggs and Darnall, Chadwick). Various research studies indicates that the range of functions that serotonin has on our body could be more than what is currently documented. A recent study by Krous and Kinney does indicate that serotonin is also involved in regulating milk production in the breast of mammary animals. In general the primary role of serotonin is mostly inhibitory and reduced levels of it in the body system are believed to be the main cause of depression among other negative feelings (Patterson et al).
This is especially so when you consider that serotonin is an amino acid which normally causes the body to have a feeling of well being; it is an chemical that keep moods under control by regulating body processes such as sleep, relaxation, anxiety and depression (Patterson et al). All these feelings and body processes are dependent on the state of the brain which is responsible for instructing body cells; thus, we can see how serotonin not only influences the state of the brain but the implications it has as well on addictive behaviors among individuals.
The way that the brain works in secretion of serotonin is very complicated since it really does not have to maintain balanced levels of serotonin in the body strictly speaking similar to how many body processes are regulated. This is because the brain is constantly assessing whole range of situations to determine whether to increase, reduce or maintain balanced level of serotonin within the body at any given time. For instance the brain can automatically reduce the secretion of serotonin in order to inhibit a particular action that it deems necessary such as safety (Patterson et al).
Nevertheless, there are range of other factors that might interfere with optimal regulation of serotonin levels in the body such as malfunction of brain cells involved in its secretion, inability of receptor sites to receive and transmit intended signals, shortage of tryptophan and hydroxylase chemicals which are some of the raw materials involved in formation of serotonin (Patterson et al). Disruptions such as this can result to depression, addictions, anxiety, panic and anger feelings.
When any of this happens it is common for people to resort to drugs in order to cope with such feelings; in fact the major reason that is attributed to abuse of drugs is a never ending pursuit to attain “good feelings” especially among persons with depressions. The impact that use of drugs has on serotonin levels and its secretion in the brain is an issue that we shall address more comprehensively at a later section of this paper.
Let us briefly describe the process of secreting serotonin in the brains and see how serotonin affects the brain in the process; a malfunction of the brain cells that secret serotonin can be caused by stress, which then affects the ability of the brain to perform its tasks normally leading to serotonin shortage. Anti-depressant medication such as Celexa, Lexapro and Prozac trigger the production of new brain cells which then boost the level of serotonin thereby reducing the depression levels and correcting the situation (Lowinson, Ruiz and Millman, Langrod).
Although it is generally known that reduced level of serotonin is the main cause of depression, there is no way to measure its level in the brain to ascertain that it is usually in short supply when depression or mental illness develops. However the level of serotonin in the blood can be measured, but even then the direction of the causal-effect relationship that exist is unclear as it is possible that depression could trigger low secretion of serotonin in the brains (Lowinson et al).
This knowledge of how serotonin affects the brain has been know for a long time and is the application of these principles that has led to development of drugs such as antidepressant medications. Medication used to cure depression works by altering the level of serotonin in the body by way of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors mechanism, referred as SSRI’s that have been proven to be effective in treating depression (Lowinson et al).
Antidepressants medications have been developed to treat depression by interfering with the activities of neurotransmitters. In the same way that drugs interferes with serotonin levels in the brain so does some types of food; serotonin levels are affected by foods such as proteins and carbohydrates. Protein for instance provides tryptophan which is the raw material needed to manufacture serotonin (Lowinson et al). Carbohydrates are also necessary as they facilitate the absorption of serotonin and other chemicals in the brain (Lowinson et al). In fact it has been documented that serotonin secretion is triggered by eating carbohydrate which is why it is at times recommended to persons experiencing depression.
Exercise is also known to facilitate the uptake of serotonin by the body cells thereby improving the mood and lifting depression (Lowinson et al). The effects of serotonin in the body are varied and reduced levels in men are known to cause alcoholism, ADHD and impulse control disorders. In women it leads to depression, tension and a high level of alertness (Lowinson et al). During sex, reduced levels of serotonin delays ejaculation and orgasm and can cause loss of libido and difficulties in getting aroused (Lowinson et al). Because dopamine is an integral chemical in the functioning of serotonin let us briefly discuss it.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter present in a wide variety of animals from the simplest to the most complex; it is produced in several areas of the brain such as the Substatia Nigra and the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) as well as in the accuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (Berger, Gray, Roth). The accuate nucleus regulates the level of proclatin in the body by releasing a neuro-hormone which blocks the secretion of pitituary gland (Berger et al). Dopamine works as a facilitator of communication in the brain through five types of receptors D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 (Berger et al).
Dopamine plays an important role in the brain as it influences human behavior, cognition, knowledge, voluntary movement, punishment and reward, motivation and the regulation of proclactin levels in the body (Berger et al). Proclatin plays a very important role in the body such as breastfeeding, sex, and body rest, level of attention, human feelings, memory and learning ability amongst others (Berger et al). Dopamine is the substance that controls the reward system of the body which provides the feeling of enjoyment to the body and motivates a person to behave in a certain way or to perform certain activities so as to qualify to receive the enjoyment again (Berger et al).
As such we can see how closely that dopamine functions correlates with serotonin function in the body. A study by Berger et al indicates that dopamine is released by any form of experiences that rewards the body such as food, sex and other stimuli that are associated with pleasure (Berger et al). The level of dopamine in the body can be increased through ingestion or injection of substances such as cocaine, nicotine and other amphetamines. These commonly used drugs give users a pleasurable feeling that is similar to what a person would experience when dopamine is released by the brains.
In addition, dopamine causes sexual desire, it improves the ability to copulate in animals and regulates nerve impulses in body organs that are involved in sex (Berger et al). Dopamine plays an important role in facilitating copulation in both the nigrostriatal and the mesolimbic tract; in the nigrostriatal tract it influences movement and in the mesolimbic tract it controls behaviour so as to facilitate copulation (Berger et al).
Dopamine also controls genital reflexes and heightens sexual motivation; nevertheless its primary role is excitatory (Berger et al). During sex for instance, the central nervous system sends instructions to the heart to pump more blood to the tissues involved in sex, dopamine plays an active role in transmitting those orders thus facilitating sexual exercise. Because of the important role it plays in regulating physical and emotional activities such as functions that relate to pain and pleasure, dopamine plays a crucial role in the physical and mental health of people. Having considered the definition and responsibilities of serotonin and dopamine, we seek to find out what the relationship is between serotonin and dopamine levels in the body, and whether one does influence the other?
Does Serotonin Affect Dopamine’s level in the body?
The primary role of dopamine is to initiate positively rewarding actions such as eating food, having sex or the pleasure of exerting dominance over other people (Herve Pickel, Joh and Beaude); as such dopamine, increases vigor of an animal to find and use resources. Serotonin on the other hand directs the body to undertake inhibitory actions on an animal in order to provide safety, avoid threats and escape from fear (Herve et al).
The effects that serotonin has on dopamine can either be tonic or conditional; serotonin displays functional tonic inhibitory control over dopamine by rationing the MRN or DRN, increasing metabolism of the dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and by controlling the PFC levels (Herve, et al).
More generally, serotonin technically inhibits the release of dopamine thus slowing activity that requires dopamine to be successfully executed. However, some serotonin receptors such as 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT3, and 5-HT4 generally stimulate dopamine release by design (Herve, et al). Two of these receptors, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C are striking in behavior because they display constitutive activity behavior while at the same time exerting opposite control over dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and striatum (Berg et al).
One, of this receptors, 5-HT2C does not always lead to an increase of dopamine; constitutive activity of 5-HT2C receptors in the mPFC contributes to the increase of dopamine when drug such as morphine, cocaine and other amphetamines are taken (Berg et al). Finally, 5-HT 13 has been associated with decreased amphetamine induced enhancement of responding to conditioned rewards but also caused increased dopamine release as well as amphetamine induced locomotion hyperactivity (Berg et al). Those are the key receptors that are involved in production and regulation of dopamine levels in the body.
Review of vast amount of literature indicates that there is no data to prove that dopamine regulates serotonin release and whether if such a relationship does exist or whether it is excitatory or inhibitory.
All the same there is no doubt that serotonin has both excitatory and inhibitory regulation of dopamine in the body (Berg et al). There is evidence that this relationship between serotonin and dopamine regulation and production exist since serotonin exerts itself by manipulating dopamine (Berg et al). Thus we can conclude that serotonin does indeed influence production and regulation of dopamine but not vice versa.
Have placebos been able to simulate same results
Placebos are used in medical research whereby a neutral agent is used against another active agent through administration to sick patients to test the efficacy of another often newly produced drug (Tuckera, Ruweac and Mastersad). Ethical questions have been raised on the use of placebos on sick patients when there are known treatments because placebo testing denies a needy patient the benefit of usual active treatment. However, the medical fraternity has agreed on the necessity of placebo controlled trials in antidepressant studies because they give the most accurate report on the efficacy of such drugs.
Nowadays, doctors are increasingly relying on new types of drugs that control the level of serotonin in the body to treat depression, sleeplessness, anxiety and personality problems (Tuckera et al). These drugs increase the level of serotonin in the brains and thereby manipulate the body to reduce depression; ideally placebo works in the same by triggering similar processes as we shall see. They work by increasing the level of serotonin neurotransmitter which is found in between cells by delaying its absorption back into pre synaptic cells; by slowing down the speed through which serotonin is taken away from pre-synaptic cells, the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft is high and this facilitates the communication of impulses that are related to serotonin (Tuckera et al).
They work in a manner that intends to correct the low levels of serotonin especially in the synapses since it is this reduction that causes depression; thus by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters through delay of its uptake they are able to facilitate increased level of serotonin within the body which increases good feelings (Tuckera et al). Currently the SSRI’s are the most prescribed antidepressants in the world and they include drugs such as citalopram, dapoxetine, flouxetine, and flouoxamine amongst others (Tuckera et al).
According to recent research studies, placebo has also been proved to achieve similar positive results just like SSRI’s does; a process described as the placebo effect but which has great implications regarding the process of serotonin production by the brains (Tuckera et al). Placebo effect is when patients perception of a particular drug causes positive results that are similar to what actual drug would cause to the same individual (Tuckera et al). In this case, the placebo effect were seen to occur when patients experienced reduced levels of depressions at almost same level with other patients taking actual drug moments after taking the placebo (Tuckera et al).
Nevertheless, many research studies indicate that the level of efficacy on patients using placebos is much reduced than what is experienced among patients using actual SSRI’s (Tuckera et al). This placebo effect is a known fact in medical studies and there is whole lot of reasons that are attributed to it. According to key research findings on this subject of psychopharmacology placeboes are more effective in treating stress disorders when the patient has not been informed on the true nature of the treatment (Tuckera et al). In fact, there are other isolated studies that have actually shown that placebo treatment compare exactly to actual treatments.
What are the case studies on treating sexual additions?
Sexual addictions also known as compulsive sexual behavior is any excessive sexual urge that leads to increased distress in general and financial consequences that are attributed to these behaviors (SexualAddictions.com). In general addictions are characterized by failure to resist certain urges such as the impulse for sex, gambling, alcoholism, borderline personality disorders, self injurious behavior, drug addiction and eating disorders amongst others (SexualAddictions.com). Sexual addictions are mainly caused by childhood experiences and are used as defense mechanism against the harsh realities of life (SexualAddictions.com). They may work in the short term to relieve immediate stress but long term engagement becomes destructive.
Psychologist and psychiatrist are using SSRI and other oploid antagonists to treat extreme cases of addictions including sexual addictions (Raymond, Grand, Kim and Colemann). The principal mechanism of these treatments is to increase serotonin in the body which is inhibitory and to reduce dopamine which is related to pleasure and reward (Bostwick and Bucci). Some of the popular successful drugs include Naltrexone, Topiramate amongst others. A study in substance abuse and addiction by Lowinson et al revealed that in addictions, a person continues to behave in a certain way despite many attempt to stop and is aware of the harmful effect of that behavior (Lowinson, Ruiz, Millman and Langrod).
Another research study by Carnes indicates that sexual addiction can be determined using criteria that include the following: recurrent failure to control the problem, obsession with the addiction, persistent desire and failure to break from the habit (Carnes and Kenneth). Other tendencies include increased engagement in sexual activities, violent sexual behaviors, distress, anxiety and restlessness among others. The most salient features of these characteristics are compulsivity, continuation despite knowledge of consequences and finally obsession (Schneider and Richard).
Treatment
Various studies in sexual addiction indicate that SSRI’s can effectively be used to treat compulsive sexual disorders; indeed throughout this paper we have demonstrated that use of SSRI drugs can treat sexual addiction by manipulating secretion of serotonin chemical. In fact Naltrexone and Topiramate have been singled out as effective in treating sexual addiction (Schneider and Richard). In treatment of sexual addiction through SSRI the aim is to focus on the mechanism of brain operations.
Malfunction of the brain reward centre in the Central Nervous System is increasingly understood to underlie all addictive behaviors (Bucci and Bostwick); composed of the mesolimbic tract, salience circuitry, the reward centre governs all behavior in which motivation plays a central role. When a person becomes addicted to a substance or behavior, what is considered to be moral and normal behavior is forsaken as the substance abuse becomes more challenging to control (Bucci and Bostwick).
The neurotransmitter in the brain that promotes the normal and addictive behavior is dopamine; on the other hand serotonin can inhibit such behavior by inhibiting the level of dopamine in the body (Bucci and Bostwick). In all these cases salience is determined by the intensity of the DA pulse and opiates either endogenous or exogenous exemplify such modulations (Bucci and Bostwick). In the past psychoanalysis has been used to treat these disorders but the level of success has not been satisfactory. Psychoanalytic methods include counseling, group therapy and cognitive behavior techniques (Bucci and Bostwick).
Nowadays, pharmacotherapy is commonly and effectively being used to treat addictions and other compulsive disorders by regulating the level of dopamine in the body, it involves the injection of drugs that control the brain activities via receptors in the ventral tegmental area, the VTA (Raymond, Grant, Kim and Coleman). SSRI such as Naltrexone target the VTA and are designed to block opiates capacity to augment dopamine release in response to a reward such as sex or drugs. By acting on the reward centre, it suppresses the euphoria compulsive and devastating addictive behavior while at the same time providing the subject with similar “feel good” experiences that one would get from engaging in sexual exercise.
Sexual Behavior effects on Dopamine surges
Dopamine surge is the rapid and general increase or decrease in the activity of this chemical neurotransmitter in the brain; dopamine is produced in different areas of the brain and it’s also the neuro-hormone that is usually released by the hypothalamus in the routine functioning of the body (Pfaus, Damsma, Wenkstern and Fibiger). As a hormone it facilitates and links the exchange of information from the brain to the rest of the body.
In fact, most activities that takes place regularly in the body like eating, drinking and sexual behaviors among others usually affect the level of dopamine in the system and are consequently affected by the same chemical (Pfaus et al). It is clear from our previous discussion that there is a relationship between dopamine levels and sexual activities such as increased or lessened urge to engage in sex.
The sexual reward feeling for instance is associated with high levels of dopamine that are released in the nucleus accumben during sexual activity which has been known to increase sexual urge as well (Pfaus et al).
As more dopamine chemical is being released in the brain, the more an individual crave for an activity such as sex and masturbation for instance; this is because of increased levels of dopamine in the brain. One recent research study by Pfaus et al that sought to investigate this phenomenon found that during sexual orgasm the level of dopamine in the body increases dramatically and in direct proportion to the duration of sexual activity.
This is because dopamine is an essential hormone that is involved in transmitting feel good hormones which would imply that whenever such feelings are experienced then it must be drastically produced to facilitate those other hormones. In fact many research studies have documented observable changes in the activity of the brain when a head scan is done to persons experiencing ejaculation (Pfaus et al). This is verifiable evidence that sexual activity directly causes heightened surges of dopamine levels in the body.
Generally, the activities of dopamine are more pronounced in the brain near the ear and that is where an action like orgasm is first experienced; when an individual experiences dopamine surges they feel high or extraordinarily good. This is exactly the feeling that is experienced by drug users which makes them behave as if they are possessed during the short duration of time when they have that dopamine surge. On the other hand, when sexual activity in an individual is ceased the level of dopamine drastically reduces. When dopamine levels returns to normal the brain restrains impulsively and we tend to behave more cautiously and behave more rationally.
Internal causes of sexual addiction
Sexual addiction is described as having a pathological connection with sex (Carnes and Kenneth); typical conditions of sexual addiction involve behaviors such as recurrent sexual urges. It is as a result of bio-chemical imbalances in the brain of a person and occurs through a series of cycles that are triggered by various hormones key of which include serotonin and dopamine. In the first phase of sexual addiction a person is seen to start being obsessed with activities that are sexual in nature (Carnes and Kenneth); these are the initial symptoms that initially manifest themselves within an individual which gradually leads to worsened cases of sexual stimulation.
The second phase of sexual addiction involves constant engagement in sexual behaviors that promote arousal such watching of pornographic materials (Carnes and Kenneth). Finally in the third phase the individual becomes very much engaged in actual sexual exercises quite often and by this time a person is described as being sexually addictive (Carnes and Kenneth). Below is a discussion of how various chemicals in the brain brings about this phenomenon of sexual addiction.
Foremost, sex addicts are addicted to the “feel good” feeling that is achieved through engaging in sexual activities; to achieve this feeling high rates of dopamine and serotonin secretions must occur in the brain. The endorphine and dopamine hormones are responsible for the exchange of information between various cells and are attributed to the smooth flow of other hormones. Excessive desire and urge for sex is actually a direct effect of increased dopamine levels in a person, when this happens regularly it is termed as sexual addiction and would mean the individual is deliberately focusing on ensuring that these dopamine levels remain high in the brain.
The implication is that such a person is always sexually stimulated and unlikely to stay for long without engaging in sex.
All sexual actions and related series of events usually start in the brain where the limbic system that is responsible for emotional memory of an organism catalyzes the addiction for sex; this is because endorphine is high in the brain (Levine and Troiden). These effects leads to excessive stimulation that eventually leads to repeated addiction cycles now and then; it is this pattern that is described as sexual addiction. When this point is reached the most favorite treatment that should be undertaken is behavior change therapies and administration of drugs that reduces dopamine levels in the brains to normal.
For instance use of drugs such as tobacco has similar feelings to what a sexual addict would experience; this is because in this case too use of drugs normally triggers secretion of high levels of dopamine in the brain. Most sexual addictions cases usually start at childhood and adolescence and various research studies have established a link between sexual addiction and sexual abuse traumas (Torres and Felton). A recent research study by Torres and Felton has shown that sexually addicted people usually come from dysfunctional families and are likely to have been sexually abused during their childhood.
The reasons that motivate sexual desires are varied and mainly include the need to relieve stress. This is because sexually addicted people major motivation is a need to obtain a feeling of euphoria and not necessarily to experience the joy of sex. Sexually addicted people do not enjoy sex as many would think but on the contrary the addicts are usually compelled to act out in a sexually manner involuntarily.
How Serotonin Rewires the Brain
Serotonin is an important chemical in the brain which acts as a neurotransmitter and hence it has effect on the functioning of the human brain. As a chemical transmitter it has multiple effects on emotions, motivation and alertness of the body. Generally, it has effects on the sleeping pattern, mood and depression, anxiety, pain and light sensitivity (Gregg, Wells, Lopez and Tanaka). Serotonin chemical is also believed to have influential effects on sexuality; all these effects depend on the amount and level of its concentration in the brain.
Serotonin is an important chemical in the body for several reasons; when its level in the body is normal, it regulates normal sleeping, maintains normal body temperature, calms and regulates the moods as well as increases the alertness level (Gregg et al.
On the other hand, when serotonin levels in the body are below normal it has varied effects on different body organs and parts. Typical effects that results from this drop in optimal levels include depression, increased appetite for carbohydrates, irregular sleeping patterns and relatively high sensitivity to pain (Gregg et al). Consequently even high levels of serotonin in the body is not good since it triggers in the same way a range of other changes in body’s functioning. High level of serotonin chemical in the body is mostly associated with stimulated moods, reduced craving for carbohydrates, heightened pain sensitivity and reduced urge of sleeping (Gregg et al).
Moreover, serotonin transmitter is also seen to have influence on human sexuality due to the facts that it is one of the vital chemicals that is vital in controlling a person’s sexual mood feelings (Greg et al). Depending on the level of serotonin reuptake mechanism, there are sexual side effects that would result from its imbalance in the body. Among the various side effects that are attributed to varied level of serotonin in the body is delayed ejaculation during sexual intercourse, delayed orgasm in females and complete absence of ejaculation at times in male (Greg et al). Cases of low libido and lack of sexual desire which are accompanied by arousal difficulties are also common and known side effects. However, all this vary among individuals depending on different levels of serotonin uptake mechanism and other specific body characteristics
In addition, serotonin is known to influence the level of motivation required to engage in certain behaviors such as drug abuse or alcohol use. For instance, when an individual takes alcohol, it interferes with the functions of serotonin in the brain. Indeed, various studies indicates that alcoholics have reduced serotonin levels in the brain which is a characteristic that is attributed to drug abuse patterns and mood aggressiveness behaviors that are common among alcoholics (Greg et al).
Comparison of Serotonin Effects on Brains with other Drugs
Most drugs which are commonly abused by the majority of people usually effects the brains directly as well as affect the body indirectly in one way or another due to alteration of the brain state; because of this serotonin and drugs affects the body more or less in the same way. Very similar to cocaine and other mind altering drugs, serotonin chemical triggers a range of side effects to the brain and body in a similar mode and manner that occurs when using any type of these drugs. One of the way that serotonin alters the body is by impairing the cognitive functioning which is mostly seen in anxiety and other disorders of the brain (Somer).
Cocaine, marijuana and even caffeine which are examples of mind altering drugs causes irregular sleeping patterns, loss of appetite, interferes with light sensitivity, affects memory, elevates body temperature and causes pain sensitivity among other changes in similar manner to how serotonin affects the body (Somer). But this body changes depends on the level of drugs that enters the blood system and personal characteristics of the person.
Continued use of this drugs leads to dependence which means failure to continue using them may cause an individual to ‘crash’ hence making them appear as if they are ill and sick, when this point is reached medical attention is necessary (Somer). In a similar manner, when the body has less serotonin level, there is reduced activity of the chemical which may result in depression and an individual may look sick and ill. The medical way to deal with such situation also requires doctors to administer antidepressant drugs for instance in order to restores the normal level of serotonin in the body and achieve proper functioning of the body.
Khat is another type of drugs that alters the brain; it has effect on sleeping pattern, very typical to what happens when there is low level of serotonin chemical in the brain. Elsewhere in the body serotonin chemical may cause varied effects depending on its concentration such as on sexuality where it causes low libido and lack of sexual desires, this kind of effect is also very common among people who use Khat drug for long period of time.
Finally, another way that serotonin effects are similar to drugs is in the way that both of them causes moods and anxiety changes; both drugs and serotonin directly influences the moods of an individual negatively or positively (Somer). These effects are particularly common on individuals who have abused stimulant drugs such as caffeine. In the same way, the effects observed among users of tobacco for instance have been known to be very similar to feelings experienced by person who have enjoyed good shower which is that of relief; a feeling that is caused by increased serotonin level in the brains (Somer).
Is Serotonin a Toxin
Serotonin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter which causes good feelings and facilitates communication of hormones within the body of an individual and thereby improves the rate of these transmissions. In a way, serotonin as a hormone and a transmitter is responsible for the rapid communication between cells within the body and therefore very essential and a vital chemical and hormone in body system that the body relies on for its communication purposes. When this chemical is released in the brain and communication occurs in the correct manner within the body, then proper functioning of the body is achieved and body system is well regulated. Therefore, serotonin is a chemical that the body cannot function without.
If serotonin level is low as a result of reduced chemical secretion on the brain, adverse and negative effects are the outcomes. This is observed in form of depression, lack of appetitive, poor light sensitivity, anxiety, poor sleeping patterns, feeling of restless and even poor regulation of the body temperature. These effects are negative and to some extent they may not only affect the person who is suffering, but it may also affect other people around directly or indirectly.
These characteristics are typical of what the body experiences when affected by toxins in the blood system, but there is a difference because toxic chemicals are broken down by the liver and excreted while serotonin chemical is not subjected to the same process of breakdown. Because of this I would say that serotonin is certainly not a toxin in our body even though it exhibits characteristics of toxins. In any case serotonin is only harmful to the body when it significantly exceeds or reduces from the ideal balanced level that the body needs for optimal functioning. This means that at the right balance it has no adverse effect on the body and
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