Sometimes called "the happy hormone," serotonin is a neuro-transmitter, or chemical messenger, that plays an important role in mood. In fact, drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), often prescribed to treat depression, do so by boosting serotonin levels. However, there's still a lot yet to be learned about the chemical and its effects on the brain and the body. Here's the latest.
A FULL SPECTRUM OF EFFECTS
Serotonin is made from an essential amino acid called tryptophan (yes, the sleep-inducing chemical in turkey). Produced by your brain and your gastrointestinal tract, it carries messages between nerve cells in your brain and the rest of your body.
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Take a Breather - Follow along to increase your peace.
With so much hustle and bustle packed into just a couple of short months, this time of year can feel overwhelming-but you can tame the pandemonium and focus on joy with a little bit of quiet "me time" spent meditating. "Taking a few moments to ground yourself, find your center, and reconnect with the present can make all the difference in calming the chaos," says Lindsey Benoit O'Connell, a certified meditation teacher and founder of The LAB Wellness. We asked her to write a quick guided meditation just for you.
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