What Is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a special chemical produced by an individual's nerve cells that is responsible for sending signals from one nerve cell to the next. Individuals have serotonin present in their central nervous system, digestive system, and blood platelets. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and serotonin is produced from an amino acid called tryptophan. When an individual does not consume enough of this amino acid in their diet, they can develop a deficiency of serotonin in their body. Serotonin deficiency is a condition that produces several adverse symptoms. Serotonin plays major roles in processes that control depression, anxiety, wound healing, bone health, nausea stimulation, sleep mechanisms, appetite, and mechanisms of digestion. An individual who has the right amount of serotonin in their body will feel calm, happy, focused, and emotionally stable.