Do seratonin levels just drop or does one have to have a negative experience for seratonin levels to decrease?

Question

Depression has been found to possibly be caused by a decrease in seratonin levels. Does this just happen one day or do a series of stressfull events have to happen?

Answer 1

First...There are several foods that contain serotonin, such as bananas , tomatoes, plums, avocados, pineapples, eggplant and walnuts.

Regarding serotonin levels around the time of your period, it is known that serotonin is influenced by fluctuations in estrogen levels. Around the time of your period, there is massive fluctuation of the female hormones.
In women, low seratonin levels affect productivity, energy, self-esteem, and physical vitality. These and many other biochemicals that we can control in ourselves impact the quality and intensity of our relationships.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. It is manufactured in your body using the amino acid tryptophan. Release of serotonin or other drugs (depending on the type of nerve) causes the other nerve to fire and continue the message along the "cable"..
It has been discovered that some foods influence the brain's behavior, and the brain's neurotransmitters, which regulate our behavior, can be affected by what we eat. Research is showing that some foods such as bananas and turkey have proteins that help to create the chemical seratonin. So, diet may contribute to depression, especially poor eating habits and constant snacking on junk foods.

We really do not know the triggers for hunger or appetite. It seems that serotonin is involved, but where and how are currently unknown. Serotonin release is triggered by a carbohydrate load (sugar, etc.) and there are many who feel that eating Carbohydrates under stress is aimed at this serotonin release.

When the brain produces serotonin, tension is eased.
A balance is achieved when the diet contains a combination of these two nutrients. A turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread is a good combination: the turkey is high in protein and tryptophan, and the whole wheat bread supplies complex carbohydrates. Many psychiatrists treat depression with drugs that raise brain levels of serotonin. A diet deficient in omega-3 fatty acids may lower brain levels of serotonin and cause depression. Depression is associated with low levels of red blood cell membrane and low intake of omega-3 fatty acids and that a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is associated with depression.
Vitamin C is required for the conversion of the amino acids L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine into noradrenaline. The conversion of tryptophan into seratonin, the neurohormone responsible for sleep, pain control and well being, also requires adequate supplies of vitamin C. An herbal remedy has become popular. St. John's Wort contains an ingredient called "Hypericin, which prevents too much of the MAO (Mono Amine Oxidase) activity from being released and destroying Serotonin.
Most people never heard of serotonin management, or even considered it at all except for medications. Serotonin management amounts to paying attention to the little things that make you feel good and systematically including them in your daily routine. We know, instinctively, that pampering ourselves is a door to a sense of well being, but we may not take time to schedule pleasant surroundings, favorite music or food, or even quality time with loved ones into our daily agenda.

Just getting out of bed and into a warm shower elevates serotonin levels, making it easier to get into a positive, constructive frame of mind. And generally speaking, depression if it is mild enough can sometimes be managed without prescribed medications. Aerobic exercise, watching your carbohydrate & alcohol consumption, getting up early and moving, even if you don't feel like it, forcing structure on your life, using meditation and imagery (if can concentrate, which depends on how depressed you are), and seeking a support group or psychotherapy, have all proved helpful.
Studies show falling in love or winning the lottery causes the level of happiness to go up a point or two for a year or two, but then it went back to the previous level. What this implies is that a slight increase that could be sustained, was more significant than more dramatic life events. In other words if you find small things that make you feel good, and do them on a regular basis, your overall level of happiness is greater than if you fall in love, win the lottery. Taking time to smell the flowers implies a willingness to be spontaneous. A talent like this one is something that some just have while others must learn. Make a detailed list of little things that you enjoy and include them in your activities. Actually schedule a time of day to go for a walk, create or listen to your favorite music, read a poem, meditate, spend qualty time with family and friends, paint, excercise, or just play. Make a pact to try it, just for a few weeks, then see if your over-all well being is not improved.
Taking control of your good feelings far outweighs the different causes for seretonin lows and highs...and you will feel much better for it.

Answer 2

They got up and down all the time. Stress causes rapid spikes and falls of levels. Post traumatic stress is a more long term problem where the system is out of sync and the levels spike and fall out of context of the event being experienced.

Answer 3

Decrease in serotonin levels may be symptomatic of depression, what causes them to decrease may be a cause of depression.
There are too many variables but if uptake inhibitors work for you so be it.