Serotonin is a hormone that act as a neurotransmitter. Neuro-transmitters send messages (electrical impulses) from one nerve cell to another. It is often termed as ‘Mood Molecules’ as it determines the mood of a person.
Serotonin manufactured by the body, is found along with its receptor sites in the brain, blood platelets and lining of the digestive tract. This is also a precursor to a hormone called melatonin which plays multiple life-giving roles in the body, including regulating biological rhythms. Serotonin is more than a messenger, as it’s level in our body affects a wide range of mental and physical responses in the body and plays a significant role in activities such as temperature regulation, longer sensations, sexual behaviour, and sleep patterns. Serotonin receptors also help to regulate emotions, cognition, pain, and sensory motor function. Serotonin deficiencies can give rise to wide range of illnesses, depending on the part of the brain that is affected.
James Stockard, a North Western University psychiatrist, has stated that, “A person’s mood is like a symphony and Serotonin is like the conductor’s baton”.
For example, Serotonin levels in the brain determine whether we will perceive a glass of water as being half-empty or half-full. Other neurotransmitters may send the message that we are full, but Serotonin levels determine if we feel satisfied. In a recent study using PET scans (technology that measures cell function to gauge the rate of Serotonin synthesis), it was found that men in the study produced 52% more Serotonin than women. Women are twice as likely as men to become clinically depressed. Low Serotonin levels in the brain are linked to clinical depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive behaviours (such as overeating), bulimia, schizophrenia, sleep problems, migraine headaches, autism, drug and alcohol addictions, Alzheimer’s disease, and patterns of violent behaviour. The conditions listed above may improve significantly when Serotonin levels are raised.
Simply put, depression is a mood disturbance. Depression affects a person’s mood, thoughts, behaviours, and physical well-being. Most depressions are a disorder of the brain’s chemistry. Three other main categories of depression are major depressive illness, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder.
Major depression strikes intensely for an undetermined period of time. During the episode, things such as eating, sleeping, or even getting out of bed become almost unbearable. Much of the time one can’t think or concentrate.
Dysthymia, on the other hand, can be milder and persistent with low moods almost every day, possibly lasting for several years. Sad days outnumber good days. Victims function to a degree, but always feel as if they are never at their full capacity.
Victims of bipolar disorder swing between episodes of major depression and “highs” known as mania or less severe highs, known as hypomania. Its high symptoms include irritability, elevated mood with decreased need for sleep, excessive talking, and impulsive behaviour fueled by bad judgement leading to painful consequences for themselves and their loved ones.
Chemicals in the brain may be largely responsible for depression, mania, and hypomania. Major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder often require psychiatric help and medicines to normalise the chemicals in the brain. Serotonin is one such known chemical.
In the survey conducted of the 1,111 people who consumed Noni for help with their depression, 77 percent reported some of their symptoms decreased after drinking Noni.
