The neurotransmitter that I chose to research is serotonin. It is created by a biochemical conversion process that combines tryptophan, a part of proteins, with tryptophan hydroxylase, a chemical reactor. Together, they form 5-hydroxyltryptamine (5-HT). Serotonin is manufactured in the brain and the intestines. The majority of the body's serotonin, between 80% to 90%, can be found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can also be found in the blood platelets and the central nervous system. Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, therefore, serotonin that is used inside the brain must be produced within it. Serotonin is believed to play a key role in the body’s central nervous system.
Because serotonin plays a key role in the central nervous system it has influences both directly and indirectly with most of our brain cells. Serotonin has several functions such as controlling bowel function, mood, blood clotting, nausea, bone density and sexual function. Serotonin affect bowel function because …show more content…
Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and suicide. An increase in the body’s serotonin levels help an individual take control of their depression and brings them out of that state. Drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). They work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which plays a key role in mood. The body naturally produces serotonin and keeps it at a certain level, but SSRIs can increase that level by blocking (inhibiting) the re-absorption (reuptake) of serotonin. However too large of an increase of serotonin has the same effect as someone who takes LSD. The large increase of serotonin in the brain causes mystical experience and usually alters the mood, feelings and strength of a person to which we see on the nightly news of weird behaviors and strange
Because serotonin plays a key role in the central nervous system it has influences both directly and indirectly with most of our brain cells. Serotonin has several functions such as controlling bowel function, mood, blood clotting, nausea, bone density and sexual function. Serotonin affect bowel function because …show more content…
Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and suicide. An increase in the body’s serotonin levels help an individual take control of their depression and brings them out of that state. Drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). They work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which plays a key role in mood. The body naturally produces serotonin and keeps it at a certain level, but SSRIs can increase that level by blocking (inhibiting) the re-absorption (reuptake) of serotonin. However too large of an increase of serotonin has the same effect as someone who takes LSD. The large increase of serotonin in the brain causes mystical experience and usually alters the mood, feelings and strength of a person to which we see on the nightly news of weird behaviors and strange