Researchers have linked low levels of serotonin with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Dopamine deficiency has been linked to neurodegenerative conditions in the body. If you have symptoms of low dopamine levels, you might feel: Anxious or moody. Depressed or hopeless.
Lack of enough serotonin is thought to play a role in depression, anxiety, mania and other health conditions. Most of the serotonin found in your body is in your gut (intestines). About 90% of serotonin is found in the cells lining your gastrointestinal tract.
Effects of overly high dopamine levels include high libido, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, increased energy, mania, stress, and improved ability to focus and learn, among others.
There is evidence that dopamine has a role in anxiety modulation in different areas of the brain. Some studies have also shown that those with social anxiety may have problems with dopamine receptors.
Experts have found that reduced levels of serotonin in the brain are linked to depression and anxiety. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is also believed to contribute to symptoms of anxiety.
Patients with some anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, have been found to have higher, not lower, levels of serotonin. Some patients experience a temporary increase in anxiety when they begin SSRI and SNRI medications and serotonin levels go up.
Serotonin is a crucial chemical for increasing mood and decreasing anxiety. Researchers have found a clear connection between low serotonin levels and increases in depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Besides being helpful for mental health, serotonin also improves digestion, sleep, and bone health.
Summary: Study reports the balance between serotonin and dopamine may be a risk factor for a person developing social anxiety disorder. The balance between the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine may affect whether a person develops social anxiety disorder.
Anxiety happens when a part of the brain, the amygdala, senses trouble. When it senses threat, real or imagined, it surges the body with hormones (including cortisol, the stress hormone) and adrenaline to make the body strong, fast and powerful.
Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that carry signals between brain nerve cells (neurons). SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons. This makes more serotonin available to improve transmission of messages between neurons.
[see side effects below regarding serotonin.] I usually recommend a starting dose of 50 mg daily, increasing every few days as tolerated. Most people do well with 100-150 mg daily, but the dose may safely go as high as 300 mg per day if needed.
Low serotonin levels are well-recognized by the medical community as a primary cause of panic attacks, depression and other signs of anxiety in women. And, women are much more likely to suffer from serotonin deficiency than men.
The “Chemical Imbalance” Theory
The neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are specifically believed to be linked to mood and anxiety disorders. 1 These neurotransmitters are in charge of regulating various bodily and mental functions.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) include medications such as Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), and Lexapro (escitalopram).
Serotonin helps regulate the body's internal clock, including the ability to feel sleepy, remain asleep, enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and wake in the morning. People with chronic insomnia, unusual sleep patterns, chronic fatigue, or consistently vivid dreams may have serotonin deficiency.
Signs that you are experiencing serotonin syndrome include: Mental status changes including anxiety, restlessness, delirium and disorientation. Neuromuscular problems including tremor, twitching, overactive reflexes, agitation and muscle rigidity.
Prolonged periods of stress can deplete serotonin levels. Our fast-paced, fast food society greatly contributes to these imbalances. Genetic factors, faulty metabolism, and digestive issues can impair the absorption and breakdown of our food which reduces our ability to build serotonin.
It's not just serotonin either - most neurotransmitters influence anxiety in some way, and in some cases an overabundance of a chemical can lead to anxiety. If you have anxiety you can also develop chemical imbalances that were not previously present, because anxiety affects your brain chemicals.
But researchers don't know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role: Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.
The amygdala, located deep inside the brain, is part of the emotional brain. According to this theory, we only feel anxiety when signals from the emotional brain overpower the cognitive brain, and into our consciousness.
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.