serotonin
A neurotransmitter linked to long-term well-being, mood stability, and feelings of connection, contrasted with the short-term stimulation of dopamine.
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8/16/2025, 2:37:23 AM
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8/16/2025, 2:38:39 AM
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8/16/2025, 2:38:39 AM
Summary
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a crucial monoamine neurotransmitter and hormone found in nearly all bilateral animals, fungi, and plants. It plays a wide range of roles in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, regulating mood, appetite, sleep, cognition, reward, learning, and memory. The majority of the body's serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, with smaller amounts synthesized in other areas like the brainstem. It influences physiological processes such as hemostasis, blood pressure, and gastrointestinal motility, acting as both a vasoconstrictor and vasodilator. Biochemically, serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan and metabolized in the liver. It is a key target for antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs, which aim to increase its levels in the synapse. In the context of mental well-being and the impact of artificial intelligence, serotonin-based connections in real life are often contrasted with dopamine-driven online platforms, highlighting a neurochemical distinction in human interactions.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Type
Monoamine neurotransmitter, Hormone, Chemical messenger
Field
Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Physiology
Precursor
Tryptophan
Metabolite
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)
Also Known As
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
Storage Locations
Platelets (approx. 8%), Central Nervous System (approx. 1-2%)
Targeted by Drugs
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Key Functions (CNS)
Mood regulation, appetite regulation, sleep regulation, cognition, reward, learning, memory
Other Production Sites
Brainstem's raphe nuclei, skin's Merkel cells, pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, taste receptor cells of the tongue
Role in Plants/Insects
Defensive function (inducing pain), stimulates digestion, facilitates seed dispersal
Primary Production Site
Gastrointestinal tract (approx. 90%)
Key Functions (Peripheral)
Gastrointestinal motility, vasoconstriction/vasodilation, hemostasis, blood pressure regulation, healing, hunger, vomiting
Associated Conditions (Low Levels)
Depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaSerotonin
Serotonin (), also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter with a wide range of functions in both the central nervous system (CNS) and also peripheral tissues. It is involved in mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and physiological processes such as vomiting and vasoconstriction. In the CNS, serotonin regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. Most of the body's serotonin—about 90%—is synthesized in the gastrointestinal tract by enterochromaffin cells, where it regulates intestinal movements. It is also produced in smaller amounts in the brainstem's raphe nuclei, the skin's Merkel cells, pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, and taste receptor cells of the tongue. Once secreted, serotonin is taken up by platelets in the blood, which release it during clotting to promote vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation. Around 8% of the body's serotonin is stored in platelets, and 1–2% is found in the CNS. Serotonin acts as both a vasoconstrictor and vasodilator depending on concentration and context, influencing hemostasis and blood pressure regulation. It plays a role in stimulating myenteric neurons and enhancing gastrointestinal motility through uptake and release cycles in platelets and surrounding tissue. Biochemically, serotonin is an indoleamine synthesized from tryptophan and metabolized primarily in the liver to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). Serotonin is targeted by several classes of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which block reabsorption in the synapse to elevate its levels. It is found in nearly all bilateral animals, including insects, spiders and worms, and also occurs in fungi and plants. In plants and insect venom, it serves a defensive function by inducing pain. Serotonin released by pathogenic amoebae may cause diarrhea in the human gut, while its presence in seeds and fruits is thought to stimulate digestion and facilitate seed dispersal.
Web Search Results
- Serotonin
Serotonin (/ˌ s ɛr ə ˈ t oʊ n ɪ n,ˌ s ɪər ə-/)( also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter with a wide range of functions in both the central nervous system (CNS) and also peripheral tissues. It is involved in mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and physiological processes such as vomiting and vasoconstriction.( In the CNS, serotonin regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.( medical source "Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources (medicine)")_]( medical source [...] Serotonin acts as both a vasoconstrictor and vasodilator depending on concentration and context, influencing hemostasis and blood pressure regulation.( It plays a role in stimulating myenteric neurons and enhancing gastrointestinal motility through uptake and release cycles in platelets and surrounding tissue.( Biochemically, serotonin is an indoleamine synthesized from tryptophan and metabolized primarily in the liver to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). [...] At rest, serotonin is stored within the vesicles of presynaptic neurons. When stimulated by nerve impulses, serotonin is released as a neurotransmitter into the synapse, reversibly binding to the postsynaptic receptor to induce a nerve impulse on the postsynaptic neuron. Serotonin can also bind to auto-receptors on the presynaptic neuron to regulate the synthesis and release of serotonin. Normally serotonin is taken back into the presynaptic neuron to stop its action, then reused or broken down
- Serotonin: Normal and Abnormal Hormonal Function - Verywell Health
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that helps regulate various functions in the brain and body. Researchers have linked too-high and too-low levels of serotonin to a range of symptoms and conditions. [...] Serotonin is a chemical hormone that helps to regulate brain and body functions such as healing, hunger, and sleep. Levels that are too low are associated with depression and other mental health conditions. Low serotonin can affect other areas of life as well, including social relationships and energy.
- Everything You Need to Know About Serotonin
Serotonin is a naturally occurring monoamine neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerve cells throughout your body. It plays an important role in various brain and body functions, including mood stabilization, cognition, learning, memory, and sleep. [...] Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is also considered a hormone. Most commonly, people are aware of serotonin's role in the central nervous system (CNS). In the brain, serotonin helps with mood regulation and memory, but it also has essential jobs in other areas of the body. [...] Serotonin's effects on the brain could be considered its starring role in the body. As it helps regulate mood, serotonin is often called the body's natural "feel-good" chemical because it makes us feel happy and calm at normal levels. Serotonin's influence on mood makes it one of several brain chemicals that are integral to your overall sense of well-being.
- Serotonin | healthdirect
Error: Not a valid value Error: This is required Error: Not a valid value Error: This is required Key facts On this page What is serotonin? Serotonin is a chemical messenger that has some important jobs in the brain and around the body. It is involved in controlling your mood. Low serotonin levels in the brain are thought to contribute to depression. [...] Serotonin is made by the body's nerve cells from a protein called tryptophan. Serotonin works throughout the body, but mainly in the intestines, brain and blood. It works by sending messages between different body cells. What is the role of serotonin? [...] Serotonin has many different roles. It helps control the muscles and how you move, and it influences appetite and how your bowels work. It is used to push out food from your digestive system (gut) when you vomit or have diarrhoea. It also helps your blood to clot and wounds to heal, and is involved in inflammation.
- Symptoms of Low or Deficient Serotonin
Serotonin is an important brain chemical that also works like a hormone. If you don't have enough serotonin, you can have physical and emotional symptoms that can be disruptive to your daily life. Conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia might be related to serotonin deficiency. Researchers are studying a host of medical conditions in which serotonin may play a role. [...] ## What Does Serotonin Do for the Body? Serotonin is a regulator of many processes in the body. When serotonin levels are out of balance, so are the processes and functions to which they contribute. Serotonin's dual nature as a neurotransmitter and hormone means that it's found throughout your body. Perhaps surprisingly, there's more serotonin in your gut than in your brain. The effects of low serotonin are many and seemingly unrelated symptoms may, in fact, be related to it. [...] # Symptoms of Low or Deficient Serotonin Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that helps with regulating mood. When your body doesn't produce enough serotonin or its receptors don't work well, the resulting serotonin deficiency can impact your physical and emotional health. Low serotonin symptoms may include:
Wikidata
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Location Data
Serotonin, 4-я Красноармейская улица, Санкт-Петербург, округ Измайловское, Санкт-Петербург, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 190005, Россия
Coordinates: 59.9137100, 30.3112694
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