It creates feelings of happiness and well-being and allows other cells in the nervous system to communicate with each other. Without enough clean water, your brain cannot produce enough serotonin, leaving people feeling depressed, anxious, irritable, and inadequate.
Serotonin is created from the amino acid tryptophan, but sufficient water is needed. Dehydration can also negatively impact other amino acids, resulting in feelings of dejection, inadequacy, anxiety, and irritability.
Dehydration also reduces serotonin production, which is one of the main reasons for depression. When calculating the amount of water that you drink, avoid including tea, coffee, sodas, or juices that you drink. Surprisingly, these drinks lead to acute dehydration.
Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol-lowering medications deplete serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels. Hormone changes cause low levels of serotonin and neurotransmitter imbalances.
Water stimulates the flow of nutrients and hormones that release those feel-good endorphins you need to feel happy.
In conclusion, the higher levels of serotonin were during the phase of darkness, which varies depending on the region in which it is measured.
Vitamin D activates an enzyme that converts tryptophan into serotonin. If vitamin D levels are low, our brains make less serotonin. Thus, increasing vitamin D intake may increase serotonin levels, thereby potentially supporting mental health [15, 16].
The four ways to boost serotonin activity are sunlight, massage, exercise, and remembering happy events.
The serotonin test measures the level of serotonin in the blood. Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety
Studies have found that people who regularly drink less water have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. The combination of dehydration, zapping the brain's energy and cutting down serotonin production can increase depression symptoms.
Another large study found people who drink five cups or more of water per day were at lower risk of depression and anxiety. In comparison, drinking less than two cups per day doubles the risk. This link was less noticeable for anxiety alone (although feelings of depression and anxiety often influence each other).
Magnesium works as an important co-factor required for conversion of tryptophan (from proteins we get from food) to serotonin and melatonin, both of which help in falling asleep."
B12 acts as a cofactor in synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, thus B12 deficiency affects mood, emotions and sleeping and can lead to psychiatric disorders.
Therefore, raising the vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid levels in the general population by supplementation could result in a concomitant rise in brain serotonin levels and function, therefore increasing normal cognitive function, the propensity for prosocial behavior, and limiting impulsive behaviors.
High serotonin levels can cause shivering, heavy sweating, confusion, restlessness, headaches, high blood pressure (hypertension), muscle twitching, diarrhea, and more. Serotonin is a hormone that helps to stabilize moods, regulate feelings of well-being and happiness, regulate anxiety, and control sleep.
Serotonin is a chemical that the body produces naturally. It's needed for the nerve cells and brain to function. But too much serotonin causes signs and symptoms that can range from mild (shivering and diarrhea) to severe (muscle rigidity, fever and seizures). Severe serotonin syndrome can cause death if not treated.
Figure 3: Drinking water is rewarding.
They recorded large spikes of dopamine release when thirsty mice drank both water and salty saline solutions, indicating that mice found both of these liquids rewarding.
So, does hydration make you happier? Yes, staying hydrated can improve your mood, energy levels, physical health, mental health, and thinking abilities. However, sipping water isn't a one-stop-shop to happiness.
Sip water slowly than guzzling it down at once. Sipping water and allowing it to stay in the mouth and then passing through the food pipe helps the alkaline saliva reach the stomach to neutralise acid levels in the stomach.