How to naturally boost serotonin without medication
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which means that brain and nervous system cells use it to communicate with one another. It's a hormone that plays an important role in regulating mood, sleep, and your digestive system.
Adequate serotonin levels are important for your mental and physical health. Too little serotonin can increase your risk of depression, as well as other mental health challenges like anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Low levels of serotonin have also been associated with the development of certain diseases, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.
It's also possible for serotonin levels to be too high. This can lead to serotonin syndrome, a rare condition that can cause symptoms ranging from mild nausea and diarrhea to severe sweating and fever.
An exact cause for low serotonin levels hasn't been found. However, several factors may play a role, such as genetics, brain and gut health, environmental factors, and mental health.
While the body can make serotonin on its own, sometimes it doesn't make enough to keep the brain and other systems functioning as it should. Click on to discover some ways to naturally boost serotonin.
Tryptophan is an amino acid that's needed for serotonin production. Include more tryptophan-rich foods in your diet, such as salmon, eggs, tofu, soy sauce, chicken, turkey, corn, seeds and nuts.