What is serotonin?

Answer 1

it's a chemical mediator that controls apetite...and some other things too. I learned that in science class.

Answer 2

Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter.It helps to regulate appetite,sleep, inhibits pain,and regulates mood.Research has proven that some depressed people have reduced serotonin. Lower levels of serotonin have been linked to higher risks for suicides.The combination of electrical and chemical signals allow communication within and between neurons. When the neuron is activated it passes an electical signal from the cell body down the axon to its end,where the neurotransmitters are stored. There are at least six different neurotransmitters that play a part in depression. If any of these neurotransmiiters such as serotonin falters, it could increase the depression as the mood alters.

Answer 3

It is a neurotransmitter that is "believed to play an important role in the regulation of body temperature, mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality, and appetite. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with several disorders, notably clinical depression, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. If neurons of the brainstem that make serotonin – serotonergic neurons – are abnormal, there is a risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in an infant."

Basically it is a feel-good hormone. It tells your stomach you are full after eating, when you are tired. People who are depressed or with other condtions commonly take SSRI's which are selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors which "increase the extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, increasing the level of serotonin available to bind to the postsynaptic receptor."

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Serotonin
A compound, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), derived from tryptophan, an indole-containing amino acid. It is widely distributed in the animal and vegetable kingdoms. In mammals it is found in gastrointestinal enterochromaffin cells, in blood platelets, and in brain and nerve tissue. Serotonin is a local vasoconstrictor, plays a role in brain and nerve function and in regulation of gastric secretion and intestinal peristalsis, and has pharmacologic properties. It is inactivated by monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and -B), enzymes that also inactivate other neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine.

Serotonin is concentrated in certain areas of the brain; the hypothalamus and midbrain contain large amounts, while the cortex and cerebellum contain low concentrations. Like most neurotransmitters, it is stored in granules inside nerve endings, and is thus not exposed to inactivation by monoamine oxidases until it is released into the synaptic space between nerves. When a serotonin-containing nerve fires, serotonin is released and can bind to any one of a series of at least 14 distinct downstream serotonin receptors (5-HT receptors). Release of serotonin or other stored neurotransmitters can also be induced by alkaloids such as reserpine, which have been used as tranquilizing agents in the treatment of nervous and mental disorders. Although pharmacologic doses of serotonin produce a type of sedation and other depressant conditions of the nervous system, several types of clinically useful antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), act by increasing the amount of active serotonin in nerve synapses in particular brain regions. Conversely, various conditions that lower serotonin levels are associated with depression, suggesting that normal to slightly elevated serotonin levels tend to elevate mood and prevent depression.

Answer 5

A neurological transmitter which travels across the synapses in the brain and creates a feeling of happiness or well-being. Too much serotonin=mania. Too little=depression

Answer 6

It is a monoamine nuerotransmitter its in the central nervous system and belivied to play an important role in the regulation of body temperature , mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality, and appetite.
Its all here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

Answer 7

its a chemical that's released in the brain. keeps us feeling happy.. when it falls below a certain level we feel down. thats why depressed people are prescribed beta blockers which build up the level of serotonin. other natural ways of producing it is excercise.

Answer 8

An organic compound, C10H12N2O, formed from tryptophan and found in animal and human tissue, especially the brain, blood serum, and gastric mucous membranes, and active as a neurotransmitter and in vasoconstriction, stimulation of the smooth muscles, and regulation of cyclic body processes.

Answer 9

serotonin is in your brain, it helps your brain deal with things like depression.

Answer 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin