Posted by Mistermindmasta on December 15, 2004, at 0:51:30
In reply to What would too much serotonin do to mood?, posted by jasmineneroli on December 14, 2004, at 23:19:06
> Assuming that having loads of serotonin for all parts of the neurotransmission process and generally in the brain/body/blood, did not always result in serotonin syndrome.
> If, by supplementation, eating and/or drugs, there was almost a surplus of that amine, what would it look like in terms of behaviour/mood????
> I'm just wondering if a soporiphic, satiated, relaxed person would emerge. Just a gentle, floating person!!!
> How do you know if you are producing/receiving too much serotonin? What parts of the brain would be most affected....Limbic system? Hippocampus?
> Wouldn't it also affect other hormone systems (Estrogen, for example)?
> Just curious.......most disorders relating to mood, seem to be due to low levels of serotonin, or faulty re-uptake systems. I wanted to know if there are disorders caused by TOO MUCH???
> Pondering,
> JasWell, there's a strong link to suicide and too many serotonin 2a receptors. So you could say that people who are suicidal often have too much serotonin - but its specific for that receptor. They don't even know if it's too much serotonin being released necessarily, all they know is that there's too many receptors.
Schizophrenics are also given serotonin 2a antagonists, which improve cognition and decrease hallications. So it seems that they have too much activity at that receptor.
However, increasing activity at the 1a and 1b receptor both lead to a very calm, anxiety free, positive, satiated person as you describe.
It's really all too complex to give a good answer. It depends entirely on the subtype of serotonin receptor involved. I would say that some people might be born with large amounts of activity at one receptor and little activity at another. Finding someone who had lots of activity at ALL serotonin receptors would be quite interesting, but I don't think it's even possible.
But if it were possible, I think that one of first cognitive symptoms of generalized excessive serotonin activity, if such a thing could exist, would be mild visual hallucinations and general cognitive dulling wiht mild anxiety - but again, related to activity at 2a and 2c receptors. Who knows... its all so complex. Sorry I can't give more of a direct answer.
poster:Mistermindmasta
thread:429727
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041211/msgs/429753.html