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Where is serotonin found?
Serotonin is present in many internal organs (intestines, muscles, cardiovascular system, etc.), but a huge part of it is found in the brain, where it affects the functioning of cells and transmits information from one part of the brain to another. Serotonin regulates the work of cells that are responsible for a person's mood, memory, social behavior, intimate desire, performance, concentration, etc.
If there is a lack of serotonin in the brain, the symptoms of this are a bad mood, increased anxiety, loss of strength, absent-mindedness, lack of interest in the opposite sex, depression, including in the most serious forms. The lack of serotonin is also responsible for those cases when we cannot get the object of adoration out of our head, or, alternatively, we cannot get rid of obsessive or frightening thoughts.
It is very useful for psychologists to know that not all psychological problems are solved by talking, sometimes you need to correct the client’s internal chemistry…
Indeed, if a person’s serotonin level is increased, his depression disappears, he stops cycling on unpleasant experiences, and good mood, joy of life, a surge of strength and vigor, activity, attraction to the opposite sex quickly come to the place of problems. Thus, we can say that serotonin is an antidepressant that drives away depression and makes a person's life joyful and happy.
How to increase your serotonin level?
The simplest and most accessible thing is to be more often in the light, under the bright rays of the sun, or at least arrange better lighting at home. If a couple of extra bright lights will take away depressive thoughts from you, it's probably worth it.
The second, cheaper remedy is to start monitoring your posture. A hunched back and stoop causes a decrease in serotonin levels and almost automatically leads to feelings of shame in some, guilt in others. But a straight posture causes an increase in serotonin levels, increases self-esteem and mood.
The third remedy for increasing serotonin levels is to eat those foods that will produce serotonin for you. It is curious that serotonin as such is absent in the products. The products contain something else - the amino acid tryptophan, from which the body produces serotonin.
The record holder for the content of tryptophan is hard cheese. Slightly less tryptophan is found in processed cheese. Next come lean meat, chicken eggs, lentils. Also, a large amount of tryptophan is found in oyster mushrooms, beans, cottage cheese, millet and buckwheat.
Also, if the body has a low level of serotonin, you need B vitamins. They are found in the liver, buckwheat, oatmeal, lettuce and beans. You also need foods containing magnesium (it also contributes to the production of serotonin). These are rice, prunes, dried apricots, bran, seaweed. To raise the level of serotonin, eat also bananas, melons, dates, pumpkins, oranges.
In addition to proper nutrition, there are other sources of serotonin. Physical activity helps increase serotonin. Spend at least 20 minutes a day exercising or doing any kind of sport (running, swimming, dancing, etc.) and you will soon cheer yourself up and feel much better. You can not play sports - at least walk.
Supplement physical activity with good sleep: for the production of serotonin, you need to get enough sleep. Fresh air (and once again - the sun!) Will also help increase serotonin levels. Communicate more with friends and people you like, do your favorite thing or hobby, listen to your favorite music, give yourself more pleasant minutes - this will definitely help.
Important! The causal relationship between the amount of serotonin in the body and mood is “two-way”: if the level of this substance rises, a good mood is created, if a good mood appears, serotonin begins to be produced
The articles on our site are for informational purposes only. Before use, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.