The real effects of serotonin (no it’s not happiness)

“If I’m sad, it’s probably a lack of serotonin! » How many times have we heard this preconceived idea, amplified by the media and our quest for simple answers to complex problems? However, the science is clear: serotonin cannot be reduced to a simple key to happiness.

Behind this neurotransmitter lies a complex network of regulations that goes well beyond our emotions. Here’s what serotonin actually does for us according to an article published in the journal The Conversation.

A molecule at the heart of our vital functions

Contrary to what is often believed, directly measuring serotonin levels in the brain is impossible. The majority of this molecule is found in our digestive system and our blood, without direct impact on our neurons.

Moreover, it is not its raw quantity that matters, but how it interacts with its numerous receptors in different brain areas. For example, it plays a role in regulating anxiety, but also sleep, body temperature and even our appetite.

An emotional stabilizer

Serotonin acts as a calming mechanism, alleviating negative emotions such as fear and sadness. However, it does not completely remove them. Its effect is more subtle: it allows our body to escape from a mode of emotional hypersensitivity often present in depressive phases.

Antidepressants that increase its action do not create artificial euphoria, but restore a balance allowing the brain to regain its capacity for self-repair.

A key molecule, but not unique

The effectiveness of serotonin also depends on its interaction with other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which plays an opposite role in stimulating action and motivation.

This constant dialogue illustrates the complexity of the mechanisms of our brain, where no molecule acts alone.

The concrete effects of antidepressants

When they act on serotonin, antidepressants stabilize coping mechanisms, thereby reducing moral pain.

Their effect is not immediate: you often have to wait two weeks to notice an improvement. This delay is explained by the adjustments that the brain must make to integrate these chemical modifications.