Serotonin neurotransmitter effect on the brain during sleep

The serotonin neurotransmitter role in insomnia.

Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters which are chemicals. They are the brain's messengers. They are controlling the communication between nerve cells (neurons) by transmitting molecules. These molecules are known as neurotransmitters. We have about 50 of them.

Let’s take a look at Neurotransmitter imbalances and their role in our life. Note: to simplify this reading on this page, I shall abbreviate Serotonin-neurotransmitter to Serotn.

The four major neurotransmitters: Serotonin, Dopamine, Glutamate and Epinephrine. Serotn is an inhibitor neurotransmitter. It slows things down.

When neurotransmitter levels are inadequate, we feel more stressed, sluggish, and out-of-control. Low Serotn levels result in depression, anxiety, insomnia, food cravings, drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders

Serotn, is USED UP during the sleep cycles, is partially responsible for mood balance. Hence, the longer a person sleeps, let's say 14 hours straight, more Serotn used up in the brain, resulting in somewhat of a depressed state of mind - the lethargy.

Antidepressant drugs such as Prozac inhibit the consumption of Serotn in the brain.

On REVERSE sides, when we DON'T GET ENOUGH SLEEP, there is an excess of Serotn in the brain, resulting in the "buzz"

Here is a comment about this "buzz.” Several of my friends stay up and get only three hours of sleep then go to school and work. They say that they had somewhat of a "buzz" as if they smoked a small amount of weed or drank alcohol.

A serotn imbalance is one of the most common contributors to mood problems. Serotn is key to our feelings of happiness because it helps defend against both anxiety and depression.

You may have a shortage of Serotn if you are in a sad, depressed have anxiety, panic attacks, low energy, migraines, sleeping problems such as insomnia, feel tense and irritable, crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex.

Also your hormone levels can affect Serotn levels and this may explain why some women have pre-menstrual and menopausal mood problems. Moreover, daily stress can greatly reduce your Serotn supplies

Alternative medicines used to increase Serotn. St. Johns Wort, for example, has been clinically shown making Serotn more available in the central nervous system.

The involvement of Serotn in sleep has been repeatedly proven. The neurons in the brain that release serotonin is found in small dense collections called Raphe Nuclei, which is located at the top of the spinal cord. The Raphe Nuclei contain nerve cells that use serotonin to communicate with each other.

For instance, in laboratory experiments destruction of the Raphe Nuclei resulted Insomnia.

During another experiment of blocking serotonin synthesis produced insomnia, which was reversed by the administration of Serotn. These studies demonstrate the necessity of Serotn for healthy sleep.

Serotn, transform into a sleep hormone called melatonin. The pineal gland which becomes active after dark, regulating the levels of melatonin. Production of serotonin and melatonin is crucial in promoting and maintaining healthy sleep.

Using drugs to fall asleep often means that the body's natural sleep cycle is disturbed and the ability to fall asleep naturally is lost. The person often needs stronger and stronger medication in order to fall asleep at night which is counter productive.