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Tips on Serotonin Production for the Serotonin-Deprived Because research makes me happy: This is what serotonin looks like in polarized light: According to the page the picture is on, "serotonin is biosynthesized from the amino acid tryptophan.... It also acts as a precursor to melatonin in the pineal gland where it is important in the regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms." So tryptophan --> serotonin --> melatonin Some ways to help your body make serotonin: This site says that "5-HTP also needs vitamin B6, niacin, and magnesium to help it convert to serotonin." Here's an article about 5-HTP from a depression community site: 5-HTP and the Serotonin Connection. According to the article, my above chart should read: tryptophan --> 5-HTP --> serotonin This site says "Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin and L-tyrosine to norepinephrine. Consequently, vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression." The same site also states of Vitamin C: "Vitamin C, as the cofactor for tryptophan-5-hydroxylase, catalyzes the hydroxylation of tryptophan to serotonin. Vitamin C may therefore be valuable for patients with depression associated with low levels of serotonin." (I wish I had known all this when I was in the grips of my bout of depression last year... Not that I would have done anything about it -- being depressed and all.) "Magnesium and vitamin B6 are needed for the body to produce serotonin, an important mood-enhancing brain chemical. When depression or a panic disorder is persistent--and especially when the usual drugs have limited effect--supplementing with magnesium and vitamin B 6 may provide significant relief. It may take six weeks or more of treatment for effects to be felt. Taking calcium along with magnesium may also lessen an overreaction to stress that some research has linked to anxiety and panic attacks."*
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