In this blog post, we will look at various research examples to see how the neurotransmitter serotonin affects our emotions and health.
I first learned about neurotransmitters when I participated in a brain science camp in high school. Neurotransmitters are substances released between neurons, and there are various types, each with different effects on nerve transmission. I learned that even the same substance can have different effects depending on which organ in the body it is secreted from. I also learned that if the level of a certain neurotransmitter is higher or lower than normal, it can cause illness.
The neurotransmitter that interested me the most was serotonin. I learned that many studies have shown that a lack of serotonin can cause depression, and that an increase in serotonin secretion can alleviate symptoms of depression. I was surprised to learn that a specific substance in our bodies can change a person’s emotions, and after the brain science camp, I wanted to learn more about serotonin.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter secreted by specific nerve cells in our bodies. Serotonin is commonly referred to as the “happiness hormone,” but in fact, serotonin is not a hormone, so the term “happiness hormone” is not accurate. However, there is a reason why it has been given the nickname “happiness hormone.” This is because serotonin plays a key role in treating depression. Most people suffering from depression have very low serotonin levels in their bodies, and when they are administered serotonin reuptake inhibitors, their serotonin levels rise and their symptoms improve. As a result, serotonin has gained public attention and is currently the subject of various studies.
However, serotonin does not only affect human emotions. When serotonin is secreted from nerve cells in the brain, it affects emotions, but when secreted from the stomach, it suppresses digestion. This is another role of serotonin that was discovered when patients who were given serotonin reuptake inhibitors as a treatment for depression experienced side effects such as stomach pain and indigestion. In addition, serotonin has various other roles, many of which have yet to be discovered.
Many researchers want to use serotonin to make depression a curable disease. There are already drugs such as “serotonin reuptake inhibitors” that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin into nerve cells, but many researchers prefer treatment through lifestyle changes rather than drug treatment, which has side effects. A representative study is to increase the amount of serotonin in the body through diet. Serotonin is composed of an amino acid called tryptophan, and research has shown that increasing the amount of tryptophan in the body increases the amount of serotonin. Based on this, researchers are conducting studies in which test subjects are fed foods rich in tryptophan, such as bananas and walnuts, and have achieved some success.
Recently, new treatments related to serotonin have been proposed. For example, research has shown that treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be effective in regulating serotonin levels. In addition, studies have shown that lifestyle changes such as exercise and meditation can help promote serotonin secretion. These various approaches are expanding the possibilities for treating depression through serotonin.
Another interesting aspect of serotonin is its connection to social behavior. Studies have shown that people with high serotonin levels tend to be positive and sociable, while those with low serotonin levels may be aggressive or impulsive. This suggests that serotonin plays an important role not only in regulating emotions but also in social interactions.
As such, neurotransmitters such as serotonin are still shrouded in mystery, and we do not yet fully understand their capabilities or what diseases they can treat. If talented medical professionals and researchers continue their research, we may one day be able to cure numerous diseases caused by neurotransmitters in the brain. We look forward to further research that will deepen our understanding of the role of serotonin and its potential therapeutic applications. Serotonin plays an important role in maintaining the health of our bodies and minds, and its potential for treating various diseases is endless.
