Serotonin. Chloe Stangl, Cameron Porretta, Adam Imperiale, Sammi Sakabu and Jasmine Ortiz

Transcription

1 Serotonin Chloe Stangl, Cameron Porretta, Adam Imperiale, Sammi Sakabu and Jasmine Ortiz

2 History of Serotonin In 1935, Italian researcher Vittorio Erspamer researched the contraction of intestines in the human body Erspamer discovered an extract from the cells in the intestine thought to cause the contraction, which went under further investigation in 1948 at the Cleveland Clinic The researchers at the Cleveland Clinic discovered the same extract while studying a vasoconstrictor (blood vessel constriction) substance in blood serum They proceeded the name the vascular (blood vessel) affecting agent as serotonin By Adam Imperale

3 Serotonin and Emotions Serotonin helps relay messages in our brain from one area to the next It influences brain cells related to; mood, desire, appetite, sleep, memory, some social behavior Possible problems include low brain cell production of serotonin, a lack of receptor sites able to receive the serotonin that is made, inability of serotonin to reach the receptor sites, or a shortage in tryptophan, the chemical from which serotonin is made. If any of these biochemical glitches occur, researchers believe it can lead to depression, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic, and even excess anger. It can also cause; edginess, insomnia, depression, poor concentration and an inexplicable predisposition to negativity By Sammi Sakabu

4 Serotonin and Emotions Serotonin is the key brain chemical that generates feelings of optimism and relaxation. Additionally, serotonin plays a role in certain brain functions such as the ability to focus, motor coordination and reflexes. Some symptoms of Serotonin deficiency are; Anxiety in typically low stress situations, Impatience without explanation,fatigue when you should feel rested and energized, Cognitive impairment (inability to focus, poor memory, lack of mental clarity), Negative thoughts with no apparent cause, Agitation, Mania/obsession, Mood swings, Strong sugar cravings, Indifference to situations you typically would care deeply about and Excessive worrying By Sammi Sakabu

5 By Chloe Stangl Relation to Humans & Animals/Where it is Found in the Body Almost the entire body is made up of serotonin, 80-90% Its relation to humans and animals is thought to contribute to a sense of well being and happiness The majority of serotonin is found in enterochromaffin cells of the digestive tract. The rest is synthesized within neurons in the central nervous system and regulates functions such as sleep, mood, and appetite Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, therefore, serotonin that is used inside the brain must be produced within it

6 Causes of Serotonin Deficiency and How to Fix it Some people have a genetic pre-disposition to serotonin deficiency. Genetic causes can vary widely, but can take the form in low or inefficient production of serotonin, inefficient absorption of key amino acids, lower than normal production of vitamin-d or countless other causes. However, for most people that experience mild serotonin deficiency, the condition can be traced to a wide range of behavioral, environmental, physiological, and dietary causes. The most common causes are listed here: Behavioral Causes: Lack of sufficient sleep Not managing your stress levels Lack of exercise/physical activity Environmental Causes: Insufficient exposure to sunlight Exposure to toxic chemicals found in plastics such as bisphenol-a (BPA) Consuming pesticide-laden meat and produce Exposure to pesticides without sufficient protective gear Dietary Causes Insufficient consumption of high-protein non-processed food Consuming too much caffeine and alcohol Food allergies By Jasmine Ortiz Multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies Omega-3 deficiency Physiological Causes: Insulin resistance Progesterone deficiency Chronic infections Glutathione deficiency Human growth hormone deficiency Insufficient blood flow in the brain Inborn abnormalities in serotonin receptors

7 Natural Ways of Supplementing Serotonin If you have low levels of serotonin, you could experience a variety of symptoms ranging from the "blues" to serious emotional disorders, including: Anxiety Fatigue Depression Pre-menstrual syndrome Problems in thinking, concentrating and decision making Low self esteem Needless feelings of unworthiness and guilt Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities Sleep and appetite disturbances Chronic depressive disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder Bulimia Alcoholism Violent temper and poor impulse control Panic /agoraphobia syndrome By Jasmine Ortiz

8 Natural Ways of Supplementing Serotonin There are a lot of myths about what improves serotonin levels in the brain. Some people eat bananas, since bananas have serotonin, but studies have shown that it is unable to cross the blood brain barrier so bananas - while healthy - are unlikely to have any effect. Other foods, like turkey, are not believed to have any effect either despite what some popular websites claim.the following are some of the more successful medication free methods of improving serotonin levels: Exercise Bright Lights Tryptophan Psychotherapy and Mood Improvement Therapies Until recently, powerful and potentially risky drugs such as Prozac and other drugs known as SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) were prescribed to correct low serotonin levels. Now there is solid scientific evidence that nutritional approaches may actually work as well or even better. Proper nutritional supplementation may also help with aggressive and violent behavior (including suicide), migraine headaches, and even heart disease related to stress and depression. By Jasmine Ortiz

9 Serotonin Case Study Serotonin Syndrome A potentially fatal condition which can occur several hours after the consumption of a new drug a person has never taken before or when the dosage of a drug already being taken is increased. Here are some of its effects on different parts of the Nervous System: By Cameron

10 Serotonin Case Study Subject: African American female - Age 79, assisted living resident. Symptoms: Altered mental status, severe onset of "chills," reduced appetite, inability of the body to urinate, and an elevated temperature of 103 degrees. Behavior: Confused, agitated, and despondent. After a series of tests, it was concluded that Serotonin Syndrome was the cause of this. It was however; not a fatal case since all symptoms were resolved within 48 hours from when the drug dosage had been consumed. Other cases aren t as lucky as this one, which is why it is essential we obtain more research on this this area of study. By Cameron

11 With all of the important information about serotonin provided, Amgen should take its significance to the human well-being into consideration while choosing which neurotransmitter to fund for artificial production