Posted: May 22nd, 2023
Serotonin is an indoleamine chemical secreted by the brain that consists of an indole ring and a carboxyl-amide side chain. It is a chemical substance that is created in the body through a chemical process;it occurs when a protein substance trypton combines with another substance tryptophan hydroxylase to form a complex substance called 5- hydroxytryptamine which is also known as 5-HT (Berger, Gray and Roth). Tryptophan is acquired from the diet. It is a neurotransmitter, whose role is to facilitate communication between the brain and all parts of the body. It is the medium through which all communications between the brain and millions of cells take place.
As such it plays a vital role in the psychological and physiological processes of the body (Berger, Gray and Roth). There is also scientific evidence that indicates serotonin is integral in influencing body desires and state of mind such as mood, sexual desire, appetite, rest, memory, learning processes, temperature regulation and social behavior (Berger, Gray and Roth). All this feelings emanates from the brain which is our first indication that tells us that serotonin does indeed affect the brain as well as addictions as we shall shortly see.
In fact the impact that serotonin has in our body are not just limited to the brain region as it is also involved in the functioning of the cardio-vascular system, muscular system and some aspects of the endocrine system (Paterson,Trachtenberg, Thompson, Belliveau, Beggs and Darnall, Chadwick). Various research studies indicates that the range of functions that serotonin has on our body could be more than what is currently documented. A recent study by Krous and Kinney does indicate that serotonin is also involved in regulating milk production in the breast of mammary animals. In general the primary role of serotonin is mostly inhibitory and reduced levels of it in the body system are believed to be the main cause of depression among other negative feelings (Patterson et al).
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