How to Treat Low Serotonin

Serotonin is a chemical called a neurotransmitter that is vital for normal brain function in mammals. Humans metabolize serotonin from an amino acid, or incomplete protein, called tryptophan. Research indicates that serotonin has a significant effect on mood so a recent class of antidepressant medications called "serotonin reuptake inhibitors" has emerged. These medications include the common prescription drugs Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil. One effect of taking these drugs is an increase in serum serotonin levels or the amount of serotonin circulating in your blood. It may or may not be true that happy people have higher concentrations of serum serotonin than sad people.

Things You'll Need

• Foods rich in carbohydrates and protein

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat a carbohydrate-rich diet to increase serotonin levels. Carbohydrates are complex sugars and foods rich in carbohydrates, which include bread, pasta and rice. Some authorities assert that the insulin your body produces when you eat carbohydrates increases tryptophan levels in your brain, and this concentration results in higher levels of serotonin.

• 2

  Eat foods that contain complete proteins. Not all foods that have some form of protein have the amino acid tryptophan. Meat, fish, milk, cheese and soy all contain tryptophan.

• 3

  Meditate. Some research done on Buddhist monks and Franciscan nuns indicates that meditation and prayer may increase serotonin levels.

• 4

  Go outside during daylight. Additional research concludes that a chemical called melatonin depresses serotonin levels and that bright sunlight decreases the amount of melatonin in your blood.