{"id":4359,"date":"2019-02-24T09:54:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-24T09:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=4359"},"modified":"2021-05-03T20:39:51","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T20:39:51","slug":"15-alarming-serotonin-syndrome-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-alarming-serotonin-syndrome-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Alarming Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Serotonin <\/a>Syndrome is a condition affecting the production of the neurotransmitter and hormone \u2018serotonin\u2019. Serotonin syndrome tends to occur when using medications that produce large amounts of serotonin as a by-product, causing the substance to build up in the system. This can be the result of illegal drug use, medications, or dietary supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, serotonin syndrome describes an excess of serotonin. Serotonin is often referred to as the \u2018feel-good hormone\u2019 of the human body. That means that it helps us to feel happy and contented, and is often produced in response to behaviors that the human body wants to \u2018reward\u2019. An obvious example of this is eating \u2013 which causes an increase in serotonin through the substance tryptophan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, you might expect an increase in serotonin to be a positive thing in that case. However, this is certainly an example of having \u2018too much of a good thing\u2019, with excessive amounts of the chemical causing a range of unwanted problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019ll take a look at 8 alarming signs of serotonin syndrome, and what you can do to manage those side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. Confusion and Lethargy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the common side effects of too much serotonin is confusion, which can go hand-in-hand with tiredness and lethargy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is that serotonin is actually what is known as an \u2018inhibitory neurotransmitters\u2019. Largely, neurotransmitters can be divided into two groups; excitatory (meaning they increase brain activity) and inhibitory (meaning they suppress it). Those that fall into the latter category such as serotonin and GABBA are typically produced as we get ready for bed, and can make the body feel relaxed and lethargic as activity begins to slow down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, serotonin actually converts into the sleep hormone melatonin. This is why we often feel sleepy after a big meal! If you have too much serotonin then, your brain might feel sluggish and slow to operate \u2013 and you might become generally confused and tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Loss of Appetite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A loss of appetite <\/a>can occur with serotonin syndrome, seeing as serotonin is one of the key signallers to the brain that we should stop eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens when you eat carbs is that the body will produce a spike in insulin that follows the spike in sugar. This then triggers the body to absorb the glucose (energy) and the nutrients from the blood and to direct those toward the organs and processes where they are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some chemicals are not absorbed, however, which include l-tryptophan. This is what the body then uses in order to build <\/em>serotonin \u2013 and that serotonin often triggers a release of the hormone \u2018leptin\u2019 which we can consider to be the satiety hormone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see then, a number of extremely clever automated processes result in the body producing signals at just the right time to tell the body when it\u2019s full. But if you have too much serotonin in your system that shouldn\u2019t be there, then this can upset that system and prevent those important signals from getting through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Dilated Pupils<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Among many other things, an increase in serotonin can result in dilation of the pupils. This is once again due to the many different complex interactions that occur throughout the body and are modulated by hormones. While we might think that taking lots of a hormone that makes us feel good would simply make us feel really good<\/em>, the truth is that serotonin and any other hormone <\/a>actually has interactions with a huge number of other body processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dilated pupils are a sign that we are interested in a person or a thing. They increase in size in order to allow more light in, particularly in situations where we feel safe and secure. This is normally caused by an increase in serotonin which causes the tiny muscles around the eye to relax. But when you produce too much serotonin in serotonin syndrome, the result can be that the pupils appear unnaturally large and don\u2019t change shape. Many people experience things also seeming \u2018brighter\u2019 as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Loss of Coordination\/Muscle Rigidity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin converts to melatonin <\/a>the sleep hormone, telling the body that it should enter a state called \u2018rest and digest\u2019. This is the opposite of \u2018fight or flight\u2019 and occurs when the body is safe and has an abundance of raw materials (nutrients and energy). It can that way than direct resources toward restoring tissue, digesting food, strengthening the immune system, etc. rather than driving muscles and brainpower. Muscle relaxation helps to conserve energy, allow blood flow, and also leads to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, it follows that an imbalance in serotonin can also lead to an imbalance in muscle control. Some people experience this as rigidity as the muscles become tense, while others will experience it as a loss of coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Agitation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might wonder why the \u2018feel-good hormone\u2019 that is known to suppress and relax brain activity, would lead to anxiety <\/a>and agitation! This is a fair question!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also one that even experts don\u2019t yet have a concrete answer to. However, there are a number of leading theories \u2013 with one being that too much serotonin can actually cause people to lose their usual ability to avoid \u2018unpleasant\u2019 experiences and sensations. In other words, they end up agitating themselves as a result of their altered brain function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Heavy Sweating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you have too much of any substance in the body, it will respond by trying to remove that substance. This is why you will sweat if you have ingested any kind of poison or allergen, but it\u2019s also why we experience profuse sweating <\/a>as a response to serotonin syndrome \u2013 the body is simply trying to drive out the serotonin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, hormones also help to regulate our metabolism and body temperature, which in turn can also lead to overheating and corresponding sweating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Headache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you alter the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, it can, in turn, alter the activity of brain cells firing. This, in turn, can lead to unusual experiences and sensations in the brain \u2013 you feel sluggish and tired, and might also experience headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These headaches can also be caused by a number of other effects. For one, they might lead to tension in the muscles surrounding the head, which is what is called a \u2018tension headache\u2019. Sleep disturbances and dilated pupils can also further exacerbate this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, is that serotonin is a vasoconstrictor. That means that it causes the blood vessels to become narrower. That can then alter things like heart rate and blood pressure, and it can also alter the pressure in the brain \u2013 leading to further headaches <\/a>as the brain receives less oxygen and blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Rapid Heartrate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another thing that might surprise you, is that too much serotonin can also lead to an increased heart rate. This occurs due to a number of factors. For one, the body will be trying again to drive out the serotonin \u2013 in much the same way as we experience elevated heart rate in response to too much alcohol (despite alcohol also being a depressant).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, serotonin also leads to an increased heart rate due to vasoconstriction. With the blood vessels narrower, there is now less space for blood to travel around and the pressure therefore increases. It now takes more force to move the blood the same amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This all results in a very unique sensation \u2013 as the body will be in some ways depressed and relaxed, and in other ways wired and amped. You might be able to spot the symptoms of serotonin syndrome in others even \u2013 if they appear to be wide-eyed, sweating, anxious, but also slow and \u2018out of it\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, if you suspect you have serotonin syndrome, you should seek medical attention right away. It can in rare cases be dangerous, but it is also very important that you make alterations to your current diet or your medication<\/a> \u2013 otherwise, you might ultimately experience a reduction in your body\u2019s own ability to produce serotonin through adaptation and tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Weight Loss<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, serotonin is implicated in controlling hunger signals. In particular, serotonin is released when we eat due to the tryptophan that is contained in a lot of food reaching the brain and being converted into the chemical. The brain interprets this as fullness, and thereby ceases production of the hunger-causing ghrelin and begins production of the satiety promoting leptin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This then means that when you have large amounts of serotonin in the system, it will send signals that tell you to stop eating and that in turn can then cause you to lose weight over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, is that with an increase in serotonin, it is normal to see a decrease in the presence of cortisol \u2013 the stress hormone. Among other things, cortisol is responsible for storing some of the energy in our body as fat. With that gone, this happens less and weight gain slows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing to always be on the lookout for is change. If your bodyweight has suddenly altered, that is often caused by concern and something you should investigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Panic Attack<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin being an inhibitory neurotransmitter will largely decrease activity in the brain, making you feel tired and sluggish. However, it can also stimulate other parts of the brain, and even force the 5-HT receptors to fire, causing modulation of voltage-gated conductance in lymphocytes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that many hallucinatory drugs work by stimulating the release of vast quantities of serotonin, or by simulating it through excitation of receptors. That way, it is clear to see that the effects on the body and brain may be more than simple sedation and analgesia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can actually lead to feelings of anxiety and can ramp up the metabolism and the sympathetic nervous system to the point of causing panic attacks. Eventually, the individual may pass out from rapid breathing. The best treatment <\/a>is to try to remain calm, act as normal, and control the breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we have seen previously, the effects of serotonin go beyond simply putting the individual in a good mood. Actually, all hormones have a vast range of different effects on the brain and body, many of which are cascading and can cause knock-on effects felt through the entire system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among other things, serotonin acts on nerves in the gut, which are responsible for signaling pain, as well as a host of gut problems. If you eat something that \u2018upsets\u2019 the stomach cells, then they will often release large amounts of neurotransmitters including serotonin in order to trigger the emptying of the gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is another example of how a hormone does not just do \u2018one thing\u2019. While we think of this as the feel-good hormone, it in fact also triggers the emptying of the bowels! Additionally, this helps to demonstrate the close link between the gut and the brain <\/a>\u2013 with the former often being labeled as the \u2018second brain\u2019 in fact!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IBS may in fact also be linked with serotonin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. High Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As serotonin can cause an elevated heart rate, this can also increase blood pressure. Essentially, as the heart pumps harder and faster, this forces the blood through the blood vessels at greater speed, thereby causing more blood to be compacted in one area at a time and raising blood pressure<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, this is also due to vasoconstriction: serotonin causes the blood vessels to become narrower. Think of this as sucking harder through a thinner straw. It is important for doctors and health professionals to consider the impact of serotonin on blood pressure when prescribing medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Dilated Pupils<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dilated pupils are another symptom of serotonin. IN this case, the pupils are dilating in reaction to changes in the central nervous system<\/a>, brought on by the chemical changes triggered by serotonin syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normally, the pupils will dilate and constrict in reaction to the amount of available light, as well as other factors such as the presence of a member of the opposite sex. The changing shape of the eyes is technically referred to as mydriasis and is controlled by a sphincter that in turn is controlled unconsciously by the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Shivering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another perhaps surprising effect of serotonin syndrome is that it can cause shivering and coldness. This is due to the fact that there are in fact multiple circuits and \u2018pathways\u2019 in the brain, each of which reacts differently to different neurotransmitters and hormones. As well as causing feelings of elation then, serotonin can also actually make a person feel agitated, shaky, or sick. In this case, we are seeing how it can cause shaking in a similar manner to an extreme adrenal response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, serotonin syndrome can cause a number of physiological <\/a>changes such as this, from blurred vision and dizziness, to low sex drive and difficulty achieving orgasm\/maintaining an erection. It is very important then not to consider serotonin to be a chemical that can cure all woes and only make us feel better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Seizures and Hallucinations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the amount of serotonin in the system becomes higher, dangerous symptoms such as seizures, passing out, and hallucinations <\/a>may all occur. The reason for this is that huge amounts of serotonin might result in the brain becoming overly excited in specific areas, resulting in the wanton firing of neurons which can eventually cause a kind of \u2018overload\u2019. Again, it is useful to keep in mind that many mind-bending drugs actually work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, there is research stretching back to the 40s looking at the role of serotonin in hallucinations and perception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallucinations, in particular, seem to be the result of activation of the 5HT2A receptor. That said the precise nature of this is not fully understood, seeing as other drugs that directly affect this receptor \u2013 such as lisuride \u2013 have not been shown to have the same results. That said, it appears that there are multiple ways to trigger this receptor depending on the manner of binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this tells us just how much of the brain we do not understand. And while using anti-depressant medications in the short term to manage unbearable symptoms is, of course, good advice, it is not wise to attempt to \u2018hack\u2019 this system, to self-medicate with things such as 5HTP, or to go against the doctor\u2019s orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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