Serotonin

Serotonin or 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a biogenic amine neurotransmitter synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan and found in the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract and platelets.

Serotonin is thought to play an important role in a number of physiological and psychological functions, including regulation of mood, vomiting, aggression, appetite, body temperature, sleep, and sexuality.

Most of the body's serotonin is found within the gastrointestinal tract (roughly 90%) and is secreted from enterochromaffin cells. The source of serotonin within the central nervous system is the Raphe Nuclei in the brainstem. It is posited that individuals deficient in serotonin are vulnerable to disorders such as clinical depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, ear infections, and migraines. Consequently, medications that increase serotonergic activity in the brain are often used to treat these disorders. Examples include antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclic anti-depressants, and Selective-Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitors (SSRIs).