Comments on: 17 Potential Effects of Serotonin Deficiency

By: Katherine Spellman

Katherine Spellman — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 08:42:07 +0000

Excellent work, well presented with references to studies. I would very much like to see studies on the plasticity changes caused by SSRIs. The Big Elephant in the room is this.. ‘if a patient is serotonin deficient wouldn’t using an SSRI only create a dire set of consequences in the patient’? I have the ‘nagging concern’ of damage to the brain that only rarely gets brought up. What is the truth of the consequences of the use of SSRIs?

By: Karl Hartwick

Karl Hartwick — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:12:54 +0000

Thanks Joe, for the great article.

I got here because I’ve been trying to figure out my lifelong physical complaints and recently found on my DNA test that I have the MTHFR gene mutation (x2). Another clue I’ve had is that the anti-psychotics quetiapine and olanzapine make my (physical!) symptoms go away, as strange as that may sound. One more clue is that several of my close relatives are bipolar. So these clues led me to investigate the possibility of gut-created seratonin, or lack thereof, as being the root of my problem. I also found mutations in my DNA for SLC6A4 and MAOA. So thanks again for all the information you provided! ~karl

By: Greg Liban

Greg Liban — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:07:10 +0000

Another comment to avoid Mirtazepine. It’s a 5htp4 antagonist. Meaning it will slow down gut transit time. Aka a slow moving gut that ferments food, and encourages bad bacteria to move in.

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 00:38:16 +0000

In reply to Amy. You are exactly on target Amy ….. as a cardiologist I "shiver" when a psychiatrist puts a patient on this type medication ! Read the PDR insert carefully before starting Mirtazapine !!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 15:53:11 +0000

I know my body is not getting enough serotonin or is not using it properly. How do I convenise my doctor to test my levels ? Is there a safe supplement to take with thyroid medication?

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 18 May 2018 12:25:34 +0000

I get very angry and upset whenever I see Mirtazapine listed as a possible cure, Is this a joke!? .. IT IS HELL. It has ruined my health. It made me obese. My insulin levels are all over the place. My cholesterol levels are high. I have sleep apnea now thanks to that hellish pill. My gallbladder, liver and pancreas are doing very badly too. I could go on and on.

A friendly advice: THINK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE TOUCHING MIRTAZAPINE.

By: Tuba Siddiqi

Tuba Siddiqi — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:16:42 +0000

Hi Lisa I think I might have problems related to serotonin levels, I recently had a D&C procedure and since then I have this constipation but no urge to go, headaches, depression I don’t know what’s causing all of these I know I had low platelets but it could be problems related to serotonin levels which I didn’t know until I read your comment, what speciality doctor do I see or tests do I get done to get the diagnosis or how do you treat serotonin level in blood ? thanks

By: John

John — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 09:15:29 +0000

Im about to try saffron extract for depression. Which is linked to CFS. saffron extract is said to boost Serotonin levels, which effects mood. Its works for some..and not others. So Im willing to be a test for the theory. I’ll try for a month. Brand is Bio Nutrition, Saffron Extract” from iherb. Many report good results in mood improvement.

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 04:55:37 +0000

Have you been tested for ADHD? Low dopamine, anhedonia, and low motivation could be a sign of ADHD. I’m no expert or doctor but I am fairly familiar with this condition. I think it’s worth it to look into. Could make all the difference.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 17:37:24 +0000

Omg, I HAVE MCAS AND MEGA-LOW SEROTONIN!!! (35, and it may have decreased in the 2 months since testing…I feel a LOT worse!!).
Can you share any further info on this, Lisa?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 03:36:07 +0000

Unfortunately there is some important research missing here! There IS a disease which has been associated with Abnormally low serotonin levels. Mast Cell Activation Diseases are the cause for extremely low levels of Serotonin and in these patients the majority of them have chronic gastrointestinal disturbances which encompass pretty much ALL of your list above and even more so.

Although anxiety and depression is seen in these patients, it is not the rule, in spite of the extremely low levels. However, elevated serontonin levels can also be seen. Researchers have not fully blamed the mast cell, however, since the Mast Cell is defective in these patients, the dysfunctional mediator release of a great many neurotransmittors and other mediators have a major impact upon subsequent mediators being released throughout the body.

This is the link to the research on this finding. If you are interested in more understanding into this condition, I´ll be happy to correspond.

By the way, even with absurdly low serotonin levels, NOBODY would ever accuse me of depression!!! haha

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3795418/

By: Whitney

Whitney — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 14:21:16 +0000

Is tianeptine a good choice for someone with both DRD2 and TPH2 mutations? SSRIs have always left me depressed and suicidal but I am dealing with anhedonia and low motivation, clear signs of serotonin and dopamine deficiency. Pharmaceuticals have not helped me and I’ve tried many!

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 23:56:09 +0000

I think Joe means based on experience with clients that Tianeptine and Mirtazapine work better, not that he takes them. Joe, can you confirm?

By: Bodil Fjellanger

Bodil Fjellanger — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 18:25:17 +0000

I have used Paxil with great success for 20 years due to severe OCD (atypical). I was recently diagnosed with MS. This summer I was about to have my third MS attack, when I suddenly noticed that my OCD was becoming a huge problem once again. I doubled my dose of Paxil and tingeling, extreme fatigue and anxiety diasappeared in about two weeks time. This led me to research the connection between serotenin and MS (and Parkinson’s and Rheumatism), and to my surprise I found plenty of papers dealing with this. I know that Paxil may have side effects, escpecially in the long run, and I am very much into alternative medicine, but for some people it is a lifesaver. And in the future it may be possible to avoid medication if the culprit is identified in heavily predisposed individuals at an early stage and adequately corrected. BTW, for me Paxil is tolerable compared to MS medication…Some links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26227286
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870621/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16178854
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21088435
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21232166
https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/334095
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18450787
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20819014
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23783007
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19931427

By: Richard Rosen

Richard Rosen — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 15:06:04 +0000

Article by Matt Stone, “The Sadder Side of Serotonin”:

By: C.A.

C.A. — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 23:02:29 +0000

There are articles possibly at lef.org describing how saffron produced better results than SSRIs.

By: Marc Anderson

Marc Anderson — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 22:29:10 +0000

ways to measure neurotransmitter levels are discussed on Quora

By: Marc Anderson

Marc Anderson — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 21:46:33 +0000

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3034914/

By: Marc Anderson

Marc Anderson — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 21:32:03 +0000

Dopamine is a NT and there is no shortage of evidence that people with Parkinson’s (such as myself) for example, are missing 70% – 80% of their dopamine. They know this from DATscans, MRIs, spinal taps, and autopsies, among other ways.

By: Betsy

Betsy — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 20:23:21 +0000

I recently had a test done called the Organic Acids Test – it is done on urine. One of the things that it measured was 5-hyrdoxyindoleacetic or 5-HIAA. Mine was very low and the notes said this could indicate lower production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Since I eat mostly protein and very few carbs, this actually correlates to what I have read about protein suppressing serotonin and carbs increasing it. I also have some of the symptoms of low serotonin, Just thought I would post this since many people are saying you can’t measure serotonin.

By: D Worden

D Worden — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 18:13:08 +0000

Had no idea there were so many physical effect of serotonin deficiency although I have long been aware of the psychological ones. Sad to see that you have had to take pharmaceuticals and — sort of — recommend them. Getting a prescription for distorted, liver-toxic molecules does not fall into the self-hacked category!! Eating the right food to increase serotonin body levels or efficiency does. Yet, there is not even a passing mention of turkey!!! “Food is a drug we take three times a day.” Let’s pay attention to it.

By: Evguenia Alechine

Evguenia Alechine — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:25:21 +0000

In reply to DOUG. Both deficiency and transporters, receptors, etc. functions are defined based on the ultimate effects of serotonin, which is known mainly from cell and animal research. Also, genes encoding these proteins can be screened for mutations in humans.

By: DOUG

DOUG — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 18:57:44 +0000

EVGUENIA ALECHINE: If serotonin cannot be measured, then it’s not possible to establish “normal”, thus notions of deficiency and excess are contrived. And how can one determine if transporters, receptors, etc are working “properly”?

By: Evguenia Alechine

Evguenia Alechine — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 15:05:22 +0000

In reply to Doug. The main causes of serotonin deficiency are not due to the actual lack of serotonin as a molecule (except low tryptophan intake), but it has to do with its ineffectiveness. One might have a normal amount of serotonin, but if the receptors, transporters, or metabolizing enzymes don't work properly, the effects of serotonin won't be achieved. That's the reason why, even if one could measure serotonin (which is currently not possible because you have to measure it in the synapses), the measurement won't make much sense. As you might have seen, the main causes of serotonin deficiency are genetic (which can be studied) and it's diagnosed based on the symptoms. The importance of this knowledge relies on the possibility to know the actual cause of one's symptoms and biohack this deficiency.