As discussed in many articles and books, anxiety causes decreased serotonin activity. This paints the whole picture out because serotonin, like other neurotransmitters plays a major role in the regulation of emotions. In reference to protection from threat, human beings’ ‘hard wired’ brain or the unconditioned response mechanism has been maintained all throughout the ages. This further means that when there is anxiety, there are a lot of automatic responses in the body. Rooting from the experiences of past generations, the responses include learned helplessness to mention one. In addition, it also comprise of defensive actions. Moreover, defensive curling, potentiation of physical reflexes and activation of the stress channel through the partnership of the pituitary and adrenal gland are stimulated by anxiety alone.
When life threatening situations occur, they are encrypted in the brain. Soon, these memories are associated with similar situations which produce the same helplessness. This then will be passed on to next generation. No idea where the fear came from, the new generation are susceptible to helplessness in similar situations.
One factor that needs to be taken into account in tracing the roots of serotonin deficiency is genes. In one case study, a group of obsessive compulsive people showed the same negativity and hopelessness to their ancestors. This is one result of lack of serotonin.
Known to be mediating the mood, sleep, cognitive works, appetite, and muscle contraction, serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal tract(GI) tract and the central nervous system. If a person has low levels of serotonin, it will cause an overactivity of the limbic system of the brain causing anxiousness and panic attacks.
Further, deficiency in serotonin can cause the following:
- Impaired cognitive function – inability to solve problems
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Panic Attacks
Here are useful tips you can do to boost your serotonin levels and prevent from having the above mentioned:
- Eat Bananas – Known to contain high levels of serotonin
- Go with a High Carbohydrate diet – this will help in releasing more serotonin in the body.
The interplay between genes and the environment is the key to understanding behavior. We cannot take fully control of all situations but we can control our reactions to such by equipping ourselves with proper knowledge, training and action. Defy biological constraints and breed a new braver and healthier generation.
