{"id":20741,"date":"2021-04-28T16:10:41","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T16:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=20741"},"modified":"2021-11-05T15:37:30","modified_gmt":"2021-11-05T15:37:30","slug":"15-common-causes-of-low-serotonin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-common-causes-of-low-serotonin\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Causes of Low Serotonin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that almost everyone has heard of. This neurotransmitter plays an important role in many core physical processes. This includes regulating appetite, sleep, and aggression. In addition, serotonin plays a role in a person\u2019s mood, fear, anxiety, and overall sense of well-being. If a person has an imbalance of serotonin, it can cause depression. This is particularly present when the serotonin balances are related to dopamine and norepinephrine. Antidepressants are often used to block the reuptake back into the serotonin neurons and are common among almost every type of these classes of medication that are prescribed. A deficiency of serotonin is one of the most common reasons for mood issues. In the United States, it is felt that this is an epidemic as more and more people are finding they have insufficient serotonin levels. Here are 15 of the most common causes of low serotonin levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Unknown<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Professionals in healthcare do not fully understand why there are some people who have lower levels of serotonin or why serotonin <\/a>deficiency develops. There are many reasons that are felt to lead to lower amounts of serotonin. However, it cannot often be pinpointed to one particular thing. A person that is suffering from serotonin deficiency will likely suffer from mood swings, including bouts of depression and anxiety. This can cause issues with relationships and with life in general. A person who has low levels of serotonin may not be able to function properly or will simply not feel happy most of the time. Seeking out therapy for these mood swings is important. A doctor will likely prescribe an antidepressant to help a person suffering from anxiety or depression as a result of low levels of serotonin. Finding the exact cause can be tricky, but proper medication and therapy can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The saying that you are what you eat has some truth to back it. When you are not eating well, chances are you are not going to feel the best. One of the reasons for this is because many foods do not contain the nutrients that you need in order for your body to function properly. If you are depressed<\/a>, anxious, or experiencing mood swings, a change in your diet might just be the answer to helping you through. There are many foods that can help boost your serotonin. Adding fruits and vegetables to your diet can help improve your mood. It is also important to make sure that you are getting enough omega 3 fatty acids in your diet as this can help improve serotonin levels in the brain. Eating a healthy diet can go a long way if you are suffering from low levels of serotonin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Changes in the Brain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people may have lower levels of serotonin simply because changes in the brain <\/a>have occurred over time. When you get a blow to the head, it can change the way the brain functions. Additionally, there are several diseases that cause damage to the brain or simply change the chemical compounds in the brain. If you are suffering from depression or other related mental health issues, it could simply be because of some changes in your brain. If you have heart conditions or other health issues, this can affect brain function as well. A doctor should be able to determine the underlying cause of these changes. Medications might be prescribed to help balance out the chemicals in the brain, including serotonin levels. These medications should help improve your mood overall as they put the chemicals in your brain back to normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Chronic Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress <\/a>is something that everyone has from time to time. However, many people do not realize how much damage stress can cause to their bodies. When a person is under a lot of stress, it can cause many health issues. High amounts of stress can lead to heart disease, strokes, and even cause a heart attack. It is important to make sure that you are taking time for yourself and that you learn how to relax and remain calm during situations that make you tense. A person who has chronic stress may find that they are anxious all of the time and could become depressed all the time. Meditation for a few minutes a day can help calm you down. Seeking out therapy for ways to deal with chronic stress is also important. Chronic stress will also cause lower levels of serotonin to be released, which can cause the mood swings you are experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we age <\/a>things in the body start to work differently. Essentially, your body does not work the same way it did when you were younger. One of the things that change dramatically as we age is our hormone levels. Women going through menopause will often experience mood swings. The reason for this is because the hormone levels are changing. When the hormones are not in balance, they can cause many different reactions. Serotonin plays an important role in the body relating to mood. When you age, your body might start producing less serotonin than before. Hormone replacement supplements might be prescribed to help keep things in balance. If you are getting older and notice that you are experiencing mood swings more often and that you are feeling depressed, angry, anxious, or just not yourself, it could be that your hormones are out of balance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking a day to binge watch your favorite show is needed from time to time. However, making this your norm can cause issues with your serotonin levels. There have been many studies that show that exercise not only does exercise <\/a>increase the production of serotonin, but also increases its release. This means that if you are inactive often, it can put you at risk of having low serotonin levels. It was even found that simply exercising can provide you with a better boost than most medications. Even if you are not ready to hit the gym every day, simply taking a short walk each day or a few times each week can greatly improve your serotonin levels and put you in a better mood. Not to mention the fact that walking or exercising is good for the rest of your body as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Staying Inside<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may not be an outdoorsy person. In fact, you may prefer being in the comfort of your home at all times or at least in a building with heat or air conditioning so you can always be comfortable. However, it is important to make sure that you are taking the time to get outside at least a bit. If you spend too much time inside, it can cause your levels of serotonin to drop dramatically. The reason is, sunshine is a very important source of serotonin. If you do not get enough sunlight it can cause you to have a loss of interest in normal activities, moodiness, and difficulty concentrating. In addition to lower levels of serotonin, your body also needs sunshine for the vitamin D<\/a> it provides. There are very few things that you can consume to provide your body with the vitamin D that it needs to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Coffee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A good cup of coffee <\/a>in the morning tastes great and gives you that boost that you need to start your day. In fact, that morning cup of coffee does give you a boost of serotonin in the mornings. However, this boost of the neurotransmitter is temporary and chances are you feel the crash not long after. If you are drinking a lot of caffeine, your body becomes addicted to it. This means that you are going to need more and more to get those same good feelings that you are expecting from it. When your body is withdrawing from too much caffeine, it can cause your serotonin levels to drop. If you have low serotonin levels you do not need to necessarily give up your morning cup of coffee, but you will want to make sure you are sticking to a cup a day and not much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Genetics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At times a person may suffer from low serotonin simply because of genetics. Genetics <\/a>are the various traits that are passed down from parents to their children. Height, eye color, skin tone, and other traits are all a part of your genetics. In addition, genetics play an important role in a person’s social attitudes, preferences, intellectual ability, and personality. There have been researches that show that there are certain genetic factors that can lead to low amounts of serotonin being produced. If you have a family member that suffers from depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, there is a chance that you will have some of these same issues as well. Lack of serotonin can be caused by any number of health conditions that might have been passed down to you from your parents. This is why it is important to know and understand your family health history.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Lack of Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleep <\/a>is so important, but unfortunately, most people do not get enough of it. Chances are you like to keep busy and find that there is just not enough time in the day to get the things done that you need and want to do. Instead of giving up your activities, chances are that you give up on sleep. When you skip out on sleep it can do more to your body than just make you feel tired, it can also put a damper on the production of serotonin in your body. A Journal of Sleep study found that not getting a proper amount of sleep will gradually desensitize your serotonin receptors. When this occurs it puts you at a higher risk for mental health disorders such as depression. If you are suffering from the symptoms of low serotonin levels, getting enough rest each night is an important place to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Not Being Present<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may have had someone tell you to live in the moment. Maybe you spend a lot of time thinking about the past or worrying about the future. When you think about the past, there is a good chance that you are going to be depressed. Thinking about the future is important, but focusing too much on it can cause you to feel anxious <\/a>and depressed. When you let your mind go towards the anxieties that the future might hold, it can make you very unhappy. Research shows that being in the moment or being mindful actually can increase both serotonin and dopamine levels. Not taking the time to just be can result in cortisol levels staying high. When the cortisol levels stay high for long periods of time it will go around and eat up the serotonin, leaving you feeling sad. Reducing these bad habits can help keep your serotonin levels stable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Low Vitamin B<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and functioning properly, the B vitamins are at the top of the list. In fact, low vitamin B<\/a> can cause many health issues including fatigue, numbness in the hands and feet, mouth sores, and it can also cause you to have lower levels of serotonin. Eating foods that are rich in B vitamins is important. In addition, it is important to make sure that you are going to your doctor for a yearly check-up and to have bloodwork done. If your bloodwork comes back with low levels of vitamin B, you may need to start taking a supplement to get it back to where it needs to be. Simply boosting your levels of vitamin B can go a long way in improving your mood as these vitamins are important for serotonin production.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur to anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. While most people associate PTSD <\/a>with soldiers who have been in war, the fact of the matter is that PTSD is more common than that. A child that is abused may suffer from PTSD. A person who has watched their house burn down may suffer from this disorder as well. While there are many symptoms of PTSD, one thing that a person might develop is a slow down in the production of serotonin. After a traumatic event, the receptors involved in serotonin production can become disrupted. This means that the body will produce less of it. Traumatic experiences occur to people all of the time and the stress that these experiences cause can be quite damaging to their mental health. Therapy and medication are recommended as a starting place for dealing with PTSD symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Attention Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several attention disorders that a person might suffer from. When a person is suffering from an attention disorder, the synapses in the brain simply work a bit differently. There are medications <\/a>that can help a person with this type of disorder function a bit better and focus on things. One other issue that a person who has been diagnosed with an attention disorder might suffer from is low amounts of serotonin. This could be because the brain chemistry is different. The receptors do not receive serotonin in the way that they do in the average brain. There are many ways to treat this issue and if there are low levels of serotonin a doctor will be able to help you find  a medication as well as a diet and exercise program that could help improve your mood. Natural remedies will not likely help in these cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Other Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are other disorders and medical conditions that could cause a person to experience low levels of serotonin. Some mental health disorders that might cause low serotonin production or low serotonin levels include obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, multiple sclerosis<\/a>, eating disorders, social phobias, seasonal affective disorders, and more. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues can also contribute to low levels of serotonin. If you are experiencing some of the symptoms associated with low levels of serotonin, your doctor will be able to help you try to determine the underlying cause. Once you determine what might be causing your lower levels of serotonin, you can then start a treatment process that works best for you and your needs. Depression, anxiety, and just not feeling happy are all related to the levels of serotonin in your body. It is important to discuss these mental health issues with a professional to get proper help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that almost everyone has heard of. This neurotransmitter plays an important role in many core physical processes. This includes regulating appetite, sleep, and aggression. In addition, serotonin plays a role in a person\u2019s mood, fear, anxiety, and overall sense of well-being. If a person has an imbalance of serotonin, it can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n15 Common Causes of Low Serotonin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-common-causes-of-low-serotonin\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-common-causes-of-low-serotonin\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"15 Common Causes of Low Serotonin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that almost everyone has heard of. 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