5-HT or 5-hydroxytryptamine is the scientific name for the organic compound serotonin. It was first discovered by Vitorrio Erspamer in Rome in 1935, but serotonin was not deeply investigated until the 1940s. The organic compound was named “serotonin” by a few American physicians in 1948.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the nervous system that control one’s emotions. If one’s serotonin level is between 101-283 nanograms (average), the individual is emotionally stable. However if the serotonin level exceeds or is below the average, the individual is more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and digestive issues. To avoid these negative symptoms, physicians prescribe SSSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) to boost one’s serotonin levels.
In addition to this, serotonin plays a significant role in the body. Not only can serotonin stabilize one’s moods, it regulates the bowel movement and the digestive system. Also, serotonin is responsible for the body’s internal clock and muscle growth. For these reasons, it is evident that without serotonin, the body will not be able to properly function.
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