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Edited and medically reviewed by Patrick Alban, DC | Written by Deane Alban

Too much serotonin is linked to a long list of symptoms and some mental health conditions, but a high serotonin level can be counteracted naturally.

Serotonin is one of the most widely studied neurotransmitters, chemicals used by brain cells to communicate with each other. It exhibits a wide range of functions in both the brain and the body, especially in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. But mostly, it is known as the “happy molecule” for the important role it plays in maintaining a positive mood. Too little serotonin is thought to be a major factor in depression, but too much of it can be a very serious health hazard. If you take any antidepressant drugs or supplements, you need to be aware of the causes and symptoms linked to too much serotonin. Symptoms of Too Much Serotonin: Mild to Serious A high level of serotonin leads to excessive nerve cell activity which can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. (1)

According to Harvard researcher Datis Kharrazian, PhD, DHSc, author of Why Isn’t My Brain Working?, mild symptoms of too much serotonin include: shyness feeling “not good enough” desiring, yet fearing, social interactions nervousness being easily upset by criticism lack of motivation

More serious symptoms of too much serotonin include: (2) feeling agitated or restless mental confusion or disorientation headache dizziness increased heart rate or blood pressure dilated pupils goose bumps, sweating, or shivering diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting tremors or twitchy muscles

When serotonin levels get dangerously high, it is referred to as serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity.

It can be quite serious, and in 2-12% of cases can be life-threatening. (3)

Serotonin syndrome rarely “just happens.”

It is almost always caused by taking one or more medications or other substances known to artificially increase serotonin.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include: high fever

irregular heartbeat

seizures

unconsciousness Note: If you experience any of these symptoms or suspect you have serotonin syndrome, seek medical attention immediately. WHAT CAN A BRAIN SUPPLEMENT DO? Are you struggling with ... ➤ Fuzzy thinking and foggy focus? ➤ Growing forgetfulness? ➤ Shrinking ability to learn and problem-solve? ➤ Lack of mental energy and drive? Mind Lab Pro can help your brain perform better. REVIEW: Why I recommend Mind Lab Pro for better mental performance. Dr. Pat | Be Brain Fit Antidepressants: The Top Cause of Too Much Serotonin By far the most common cause of excess serotonin is the use of prescription antidepressants that increase serotonin levels in the brain. This group of medications includes: (4) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Even though these drugs are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world, many doctors still aren’t aware of the problems that can result from excess serotonin. (5)

You’re at particular risk for high serotonin if you are taking a new antidepressant or are taking an antidepressant along with one or more other drugs known to increase serotonin.

Other Drugs That Cause Too Much Serotonin Besides antidepressants, there are many other drugs that can raise serotonin levels too high including: (6) anti-nausea medications cough and cold medications (over the counter) migraine medications pain medications psychiatric medications recreational drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD) Note: To confirm if any drugs you’re now taking can contribute to high serotonin levels, review or download Medications That Raise Serotonin Levels, a comprehensive list of prescription medications provided by Drugwatch.com.

Supplements That Contribute to High Levels of Serotonin

In addition to a long list of drugs, there are also a few nutritional supplements that can cause high levels of serotonin, especially when they are taken with an antidepressant.

This can happen when doctors aren’t aware of interactions, or patients self-prescribe supplements without their doctor’s knowledge.

Three of the most widely used supplements taken for depression are the amino acids tryptophan, 5-HTP, and SAM-e.

Since they all work by increasing serotonin, it is not safe to mix any of these supplements with antidepressant medications. (7, 8, 9)

It’s also not safe to mix them with each other.

Many people are tempted to use these supplements to wean themselves off their antidepressant medication, not realizing the hazards of mixing these substances.

A very important point to remember is that some antidepressants have long half-lives.

For example, Prozac interactions can occur for up to 5 weeks after you stop taking it! (10) So it’s very common for people to start taking a serotonin boosting supplement not realizing they still have antidepressants circulating throughout their system. ARE YOU FEELING UNFOCUSED? Scientifically personalized music can boost focus 4X. Whatever work or study you do, Focus@Will can help you do it better and faster: ➤ Works with your type of brainwave patterns to reduce distractions. ➤ Dramatically improves your concentration, learning, and retention. ➤ Adapts dynamically to fit your needs and keep you in a "flow state." REVIEW: Why I recommend Focus@Will to boost focus and productivity. Dr. Pat | Be Brain Fit Other Causes of Too Much Serotonin While serotonin-boosting drugs are the most common cause of high serotonin levels, they aren’t the only ones. A high serotonin level can also be caused by your genes or one specific underlying health condition.

GIVE YOUR BRAIN

A BOOST! Get our 10-Step Brain PowerUp Guide, free. Send me the guide! Overmethylation Methylation is a biochemical process that moves a methyl group (one carbon and three hydrogen molecules) from one substance to another. This process is required for numerous vital functions that occur in the body, including the formation of neurotransmitters. (11)

Some people have a mutation in the gene that controls this process — the MTHFR gene.

This leads to a tendency to overproduce serotonin causing an excess amount in the brain.

These people usually have high blood levels of copper and low levels of zinc as well. (12)

Carcinoid Tumors

This final cause of excess serotonin is rare and is the only known disease that causes serotonin syndrome.

Carcinoid tumors are cancerous tumors found in the stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, and lungs. (13)

When located in the intestinal tract they can cause the release of excess serotonin.

This may seem odd until you realize that up to 95% of your total serotonin is synthesized in your intestines by bacteria (!) — not in your brain. (14) These tumors are usually asymptomatic and are discovered only during medical exams or when testing for other conditions. HOW IS YOUR MOOD? Are you over-stressed, anxious, or depressed? In these situations (and many others), talk therapy with a professional can help you cope better with life. BetterHelp online counseling is the better choice vs in-person therapy: ➤ BetterHelp is more affordable & convenient. ➤ It's discreet, private, secure & COVID-19 safe. ➤ Same professionalism & effectiveness as traditional therapy. REVIEW: Why I recommend online counseling and BetterHelp. Dr. Pat | Be Brain Fit Mental Health Implications of Excess Serotonin Excess serotonin has been linked to two major mental health conditions. Too Much Serotonin and Anxiety It’s estimated that 15 million Americans suffer from social anxiety disorder. (15)

This condition is characterized by overwhelming fear and self-consciousness in social or performance situations and goes way beyond ordinary shyness.

It’s been thought that social anxiety was caused by a lack of serotonin, so serotonin-boosting antidepressants (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed.

But new research is turning that idea on its head.

By using PET cameras and special tracers, researchers at Sweden’s Uppsala University were able to measure serotonin synthesis in the brain of patients.

The study results, which were published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded that individuals with social phobia make too much serotonin and the more serotonin they produce, the more anxious they become. (16)

The study participants with social phobia produced more serotonin in the amygdala, the brain’s “fear center.”

The results of this study have been called “a major leap forward” in the understanding of mental disorders. (17)

The Link Between Too Much Serotonin and Autism

High blood levels of serotonin are linked to autism spectrum disorder.

This biomarker occurs in 25% of all autistic children. (18)

Interestingly, elevated blood levels of serotonin are also found in immediate family members who are not autistic.

The significance of this association is not clearly understood at this time, but another key to the puzzle may lie in the fact that children exposed to drugs that increase serotonin in utero have an increased risk of developing autism. (19)

Supplements That Moderate Serotonin Levels

As we’ve seen, having either too much or too little serotonin has profound implications.

Fortunately, there are a handful of supplements that modulate or normalize serotonin activity to regulate serotonin levels.

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb that is at the top of this list.

It is a master neurotransmitter regulator that dials the production of neurotransmitters up or down as needed.

In this way, bacopa brings the levels of serotonin and other major neurotransmitters into balance. (20)

Both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) normalize serotonin levels by regulating the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin. (21)

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a traditional Chinese herb that balances the production of both stress hormones and serotonin. (22)

Other supplements that may help to regulate serotonin synthesis include Ginkgo biloba, Rhodiola rosea, and chamomile (Matricaria recutita). (23, 24, 25)

Read more —

Want to know more about these supplements, including benefits, dosages, and potential side effects and interactions? Want to know more about these supplements, including benefits, dosages, and potential side effects and interactions? Search our site to find in-depth articles on most of these supplements.

Can You Be Tested for Too Much Serotonin?

When we talk about high serotonin, you may get the impression that this is a condition that can be easily measured, but there is no reliable laboratory test for excess serotonin.

Even the diagnosis of serotonin syndrome is made from patient symptoms and drug use history rather than a blood test. (26)

While there are tests that measure the amount of serotonin in your blood, saliva, or urine, they aren’t as useful as you might think since there is no correlation between these levels and those in your brain. (27)

Additionally, there is no scientifically established standard for a “normal” level of serotonin or any other neurotransmitter. (28)

So for now, symptoms are the best indicator of your serotonin status.