Serotonin

Serotonin is one of several chemical messengers in the brain, or neurotransmitters, which help brain cells communicate with one another. Among many other functions, serotonin is involved in regulating mood. Problems with making or using the right amount of serotonin have been linked to many mental disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, autism, and schizophrenia.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is an example of a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that is passed between nerve cells. When a nerve impulse reaches the axon at the end of a nerve, neurotransmitters are released which cross an area called the synapse to be received by a specific receptor on the end of a target nerve. Once received by the target nerve, the neurotransmitter may either excite that nerve to fire its own signal or prevent it from firing the signal.

Serotonin in Plants

The Relationship Between Serotonin and 5-HTP

Serotonin Biosynthesis

Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?

Serotonin Pathology

Serotonin and Aggression

Serotonin Function

Drugs Targeting the 5-HT System

Latest Serotonin News and Research

Emerging neuromodulation techniques for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder

In a peer-reviewed article published today in Brain Medicine, a European research team presents a focused review of emerging neuromodulation techniques for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

28 Oct 2025

Scientists uncover excessive maturation and aging in the hippocampus

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Fujita Health University and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science have uncovered a previously overlooked form of brain abnormality linked to anxiety: excessive maturation and aging in the hippocampus, a state they term "hyper-maturity."

27 Oct 2025

How psychedelics profoundly reshape the perception of time and consciousness

A perspective article published in Psychedelics by Prof. Xiaohui Wang and colleagues examines how psychedelic substances profoundly reshape the perception of time, offering unprecedented insights into consciousness and potential therapeutic applications.

23 Oct 2025

Repeated ketamine infusions offer no extra benefit for people hospitalized with depression

Findings from a randomized and blinded clinical trial investigating repeated ketamine infusions for treating depression have revealed no extra benefit for ketamine when added onto standard care for people admitted to hospital for depression.

22 Oct 2025

Gut bacteria found to make serotonin and boost intestinal motility

Researchers have identified Limosilactobacillus mucosae and Ligilactobacillus ruminis as human gut bacteria capable of producing serotonin by decarboxylating 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Their activity enhances intestinal motility and enteric nerve density, linking microbial serotonin synthesis to gut function and potential IBS mechanisms.

21 Oct 2025

Study clarifies the complex interaction between gut bacteria and common gastrointestinal disorder

Research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, clarifies the complex interaction between gut bacteria and IBS.

21 Oct 2025

Study reveals differing prescribing patterns for menopause therapy

Not all healthcare professionals receive the same type of formal education. That may help explain the results of a new study which suggests that provider type and specialty greatly affect whether a woman receives prescription medication treatment for menopause-related care and, if so, what kind of treatment she receives.

21 Oct 2025

Heavy drinking fuels Alzheimer’s disease by igniting brain inflammation and protein damage

Chronic alcohol use accelerates Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression by intensifying oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and amyloid-tau pathology through shared molecular pathways. The review highlights emerging therapies, targeting TLR4, GSK-3β, and metabolic dysfunction, that may mitigate alcohol-induced neurodegeneration.

20 Oct 2025

New insights into MDMA therapy for PTSD and beyond

A comprehensive peer-reviewed invited review published today in Psychedelics by Dr. Kenji Hashimoto and colleagues (Dr. Mingming Zhao and Dr. Jianjun Yang) synthesizes the evolving landscape of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, examining robust clinical evidence in treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder while identifying promising applications in autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and existential distress

14 Oct 2025

Brain serotonin levels linked to sexual side effects from antidepressants

Researchers have discovered that the ability to have an erection or to orgasm is related to the levels of serotonin in the brain, but this relation only applies to depressed patients taking SSRI antidepressants.

13 Oct 2025

Drinking soft drinks may fuel depression by altering gut bacteria

A study links soft drink consumption to increased depression risk, highlighting gut microbiome changes, particularly in women. Learn more about the findings.

10 Oct 2025

Penn Medicine study maps brain circuits impacted by psilocybin

Researchers at Penn Medicine have identified specific brain circuits that are impacted by psilocybin-the active compound found in some psychedelic mushrooms-which could lead to new paths forward for pain and mental health management options.

2 Oct 2025

Negative behavioral effects of psilocybin persist in mouse mothers and offspring

Magic mushrooms may not be the answer to postpartum depression, new research from the University of California, Davis suggests.

30 Sep 2025

Cannabidiol shows promise for obesity and metabolic syndrome

Cannabidiol (CBD) shows promise in regulating appetite, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammation in preclinical models of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, human evidence is still limited, highlighting the need for rigorous trials before clinical use.

29 Sep 2025

Antidepressant fluoxetine alters brain energy use and boosts neural plasticity

A new study shows that the widely used antidepressant fluoxetine does more than boost serotonin levels: it changes how brain cells manage their energy and rebuild their connections, potentially helping the brain "loosen up" and adapt during depression treatment.

25 Sep 2025

Wearable device uses AI and bioelectronics to personalize wound therapy

As a wound heals, it goes through several stages: clotting to stop bleeding, immune system response, scabbing, and scarring.

23 Sep 2025

Psychological distress after a heart attack emerges as a critical risk factor for heart health

Many people experience one or more types of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, psychosocial stress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after a heart attack, which can affect their physical recovery and long-term heart health, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement, published today in the American Heart Association's flagship, peer-reviewed journal Circulation.

22 Sep 2025

Best foods to boost happiness after 50, according to new UK study

Older adults who ate more fruits, vegetables, and fish showed higher well-being, especially eudemonic well-being and happiness, in a large UK study. However, most diet–well-being links weakened after accounting for mood, health, and socioeconomic factors.

16 Sep 2025

New tool helps identify risky medications for older cancer patients

New research published in the September 2025 issue of JNCCN-Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network validates the use of a specifically-curated tool for determining which medications may be causing harm for older patients with cancer.

10 Sep 2025

Survey shows ongoing misconceptions about hormone therapy safety in cancer survivors

Despite evidence suggesting the safety of hormone therapy for patients with a history of low-grade endometrial or epithelial ovarian cancer, a new survey shows that many gynecologists and some gynecologic oncologists are still uncomfortable prescribing the therapy for this patient population.

10 Sep 2025

Serotonin

Overview

Serotonin in Plants

The Relationship Between Serotonin and 5-HTP

Serotonin Biosynthesis

Feature Articles

Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?

Serotonin Pathology

Serotonin and Aggression

Serotonin Function

Drugs Targeting the 5-HT System

Latest Serotonin News and Research

Emerging neuromodulation techniques for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder

Scientists uncover excessive maturation and aging in the hippocampus

How psychedelics profoundly reshape the perception of time and consciousness

Repeated ketamine infusions offer no extra benefit for people hospitalized with depression

Gut bacteria found to make serotonin and boost intestinal motility

Study clarifies the complex interaction between gut bacteria and common gastrointestinal disorder

Study reveals differing prescribing patterns for menopause therapy

Heavy drinking fuels Alzheimer’s disease by igniting brain inflammation and protein damage

New insights into MDMA therapy for PTSD and beyond

Brain serotonin levels linked to sexual side effects from antidepressants

Drinking soft drinks may fuel depression by altering gut bacteria

Penn Medicine study maps brain circuits impacted by psilocybin

Negative behavioral effects of psilocybin persist in mouse mothers and offspring

Cannabidiol shows promise for obesity and metabolic syndrome

Antidepressant fluoxetine alters brain energy use and boosts neural plasticity

Wearable device uses AI and bioelectronics to personalize wound therapy

Psychological distress after a heart attack emerges as a critical risk factor for heart health

Best foods to boost happiness after 50, according to new UK study

New tool helps identify risky medications for older cancer patients

Survey shows ongoing misconceptions about hormone therapy safety in cancer survivors

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

From street to lab: Advancing controlled substance testing with handheld Raman and FTIR

Reimagining light scattering for biotherapeutics

Serotonin

Overview

Feature Articles

Do Serotonin and Antidepressants Affect the Microbiome?

Serotonin Pathology

Serotonin and Aggression

Serotonin Function

Drugs Targeting the 5-HT System

Latest Serotonin News and Research

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

From street to lab: Advancing controlled substance testing with handheld Raman and FTIR

Reimagining light scattering for biotherapeutics

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