serotonin levels
Brain happiness measure
Serotonin levels refers to the amount of serotonin—a neurotransmitter affecting mood, sleep, and digestion—present in the body or brain.
The phrase appears constantly in discussions of mental health, where low serotonin levels are popularly linked to depression and anxiety: Antidepressants work by raising serotonin levels.
The relationship is more complex than casual usage suggests, but the phrase has become shorthand for biochemical explanations of emotional states.
- tryptophanEssential amino acid precursor
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator
- exerciseActivity for fitness
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
fluoxetine · synapse · sertraline · sleep hygiene · stress response · diet · comfort food · escitalopram · mood swings · emotional resilience · insomnia · morning light · brain regions · blood test · omega-3 fatty acids · brain · baseline · sunshine
- Brain MeasuresEEG, fMRI, MRI images, brain scan, brain scans
- brain markersmyelin basic protein, tangles, plaque buildup, brain waves, BDNF
- crime biologygenetic predisposition, twin studies, behavioral genetics, crime families, genetic risk
serotonin levelsdepression
Prolonged low state
low mood · dysphoria · anxiety · emotional instability · mood disorders