6 Ways to Naturally Increase Your Serotonin Levels
However, don’t hesitate to reach out for help if these tips aren’t cutting it. Research suggests that chronic stress can lead to low serotonin levels and other health issues. Reducing stress may not only benefit your mood but also your overall health. Thinking about something that makes you feel good can help increase serotonin in your brain, which can help promote an improved mood in general. But it’s not as simple as eating tryptophan-rich foods, thanks to something called the blood-brain barrier.
Keep in mind that depression that’s not treated is a more concerning risk of suicide. And antidepressants may lessen suicide risk in the long run by improving mood for many people. Anyone taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for worsening depression or unusual behavior. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant, call your healthcare professional right away or get emergency help. One way to possibly sneak more tryptophan into your brain is to get it from complex carbohydrate sources, such as vegetables, fruits, salvia trip explained legumes, and whole grains.
Sleep plays a crucial role in naturally increasing serotonin levels. There is evidence that lifestyle changes and other non-medicative methods can improve the levels of serotonin naturally in the brain. Massage therapy is a form of relaxation that might be especially helpful for boosting serotonin levels.
- Chronic (long-term) stress can negatively affect your body in many ways—including reducing the amount of serotonin that’s produced and circulated.
- For example, eating specific foods may help increase your serotonin levels.
- Researchers are not entirely sure of exactly how St. John’s wort works to elevate mood, but it is believed to increase neurotransmitter levels in the brain, including serotonin.
- People with this condition may experience depressive symptoms during the winter when there is less sunlight.
- But if you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or sadness, consider talking with a mental health professional.
Stopping treatment with SSRIs
In a study of those with early symptoms of depression, 5-HTP supplements were found to have an antidepressant effect in these individuals after two weeks of treatment. The therapeutic effects of this supplement were considered equal to that of fluoxetine, an SSRI (Jangid et al., 2013). Ensuring sufficient sleep duration and quality can help increase serotonin levels naturally, promoting better mood, emotional well-being, and overall health.
Conditions
Serotonin’s impact on mood supports a link between this finding and the occurrence of seasonal affective disorder and mental health concerns linked to the seasons. Serotonin levels that are too high, caused by medications or recreational drugs, can be a serious health concern requiring emergency care. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of serotonin levels that are either too low or too high, help is what are moon rocks smoke available. The first course of action to decrease serotonin levels that have become too high is to stop taking any medications that may increase these levels.
Tryptophan-Rich Foods
Depending on your symptoms, you may be prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or another type of antidepressant. SSRIs help keep your brain from reabsorbing the serotonin alcohol brain fog that’s released. If you find that your symptoms are starting to affect your day-to-day life, consider reaching out for support from a mental health professional. If you’re concerned about the cost, our guide to affordable therapy can help. If you’re looking to increase serotonin to improve mood-related symptoms, including those of depression, these methods may not be enough. Too little serotonin can negatively affect your mood, but could a good mood help increase serotonin levels?
Suicide risk and antidepressants
It’s important to note that not everyone experiences these side effects, and they often subside as the body adjusts to the medication. Also, if not enough serotonin is produced in the first place, this limits the amount reaching the serotonin receptors of the postsynaptic neuron. This medication also comes with dietary precautions that need to be followed when taking the medication as they can cause adverse reactions when taken in combination with certain foods. Likewise, TCAs are known to increase blood sugar levels, meaning that there would be a high risk to those who have diabetes if they were to take this medication.
When you meet your basic needs of food, water, and a good night’s sleep, the body reacts by raising serotonin levels and causing a sensation of happiness. There isn’t a scientific way to measure your serotonin levels at home. However, you will likely notice when there’s a dip or a change because serotonin affects things like your mood and sleep cycle.