What is Serotonin?

Research suggests that eating carbs along with foods high in tryptophan may help more tryptophan make it into your brain.

Try consuming tryptophan-r...

1. Exercising triggers the release of tryptophan into your blood.
2. It can also decrease the amount of other amino acids. This creates an ideal environment for more tryptophan to reach your brain.

Spending time in the sunshine appears to help increase serotonin levels, and

1. Massage therapy helps increase serotonin and dopamine, another mood-related neurotransmitter.
2. It also helps to decrease cortisol, a ho...

Thinking about something that makes you feel good can help increase serotonin in your brain, which can help promote an improved mood in general.

Try:

• visualizing a happy moment from your memory
• thinking about a positive experience

Other good aerobic exercises include:

• swimming
• bicycling
• brisk walking
• jogging
• light hiking

1. You can’t directly get serotonin from food, but you can get tryptophan, an amino acid that’s converted to serotonin in your brain.
2. Tryptophan is found primarily in high-protein foods, including turkey and ...

1. Some people simply have lower serotonin levels due to their brain chemistry, and there isn’t much you can do about this on your own.
2. In addition, mood disorders involve a complex mix of brain chemistry, environment, genetics, and other factors.
3. If you find that your symptoms...