Researchers have linked too-high and too-low levels of serotonin to a range of symptoms and conditions.
Still, too much can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening reaction.
The body requires normal serotonin levels for optimal physical healing, sleep, and mood.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Yourgutproduces about 95% of serotonin, while the brain makes 5%.
However, the gut and brain communicate to determine how much serotonin to produce overall.
When serotonin levels are too low or too high, they can impact various aspects of your health.
Mental Health
Low serotonin levels are linked to depression and other mental health disorders.
However, even people without mental health conditions can have low serotonin levels.
Social risk factors for low serotonin include:
Low serotonin levels can have an impact on your social health.
The rates of serotonin syndrome have gone up as antidepressant use has increased.
This is because medications that increase serotonin levels, such asSSRIs, cause serotonin syndrome.
For example, mild symptoms may includemuscle twitchingand sweating, while severe symptoms may includeseizuresand loss of consciousness.
How to Manage Serotonin Levels
you could manage your serotonin levels medicinally and naturally.
Additionally, you could manage serotonin levels naturally withlifestyle changes.
For example, exercise can increase serotonin levels without increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin levels can also be increased naturally without increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Levels that are too low are associated with depression and other mental health conditions.
Low serotonin can affect other areas of life as well, including social relationships and energy.
Reach out to a healthcare provider for support.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Antidepressant use among adults: United States, 2015-2018.
Kanova M, Kohout P.Serotoninits synthesis and roles in the healthy and the critically ill.IJMS.
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National Health Service.Side effects - Antidepressants.
Parrott AC.Recreational Ecstasy/MDMA, the serotonin syndrome, and serotonergic neurotoxicity.Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior.
2002;71(4):837-844. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(01)00711-0
