serotonin

[ ser-uh-toh-nin, seer- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a neurotransmitter, derived from tryptophan, that is involved in sleep, depression, memory, and other neurological processes.

serotonin

/ ˌsɛrəˈtəʊnɪn /

noun

1. a compound that occurs in the brain, intestines, and blood platelets and acts as a neurotransmitter, as well as inducing vasoconstriction and contraction of smooth muscle; 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT)

serotonin

/ sĕr′ə-tō′nĭn,sîr′- /

1. A monoamine substance that is formed from tryptophan and found in many animal tissues, including the intestine and central nervous system. In the brain, serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter that is involved in the control of pain perception, the sleep-wake cycle, and mood. Serotonin is also produced in some bacteria and plants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of serotonin¹

First recorded in 1945–50; sero- + tone + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of serotonin¹

from sero- + ton ( ic ) + -in

Example Sentences

The best weighted blankets work by evenly distributing weight across the body to increase serotonin production, which makes us feel calmer.

From Popular-Science

When sunlight goes away, it can also take serotonin away with it.

From Popular-Science

You just learned that serotonin can affect a dreaming person’s sense of how significant a weak association is.

From Nautilus

The only drug that worked on this system of glutamate — rather than something like, for example, Prozac affects things like serotonin as does all the other dozens of antidepressants on the market.

From Freakonomics

Little is known about how serotonin acts in the brain, and investigators quickly recognized that PCPA could be used to study this brain chemical.

From Science News

Once your serotonin levels are back up to normal, they can make enough melatonin so you can sleep better, says Dr. Rindfleisch.

From The Daily Beast

Spaghetti squash also contains specific nutrients that help convert the tryptophan in other foods you eat into serotonin.

From The Daily Beast

Flooding your brain with dopamine and serotonin, it not only heightens feelings of euphoria, but empathy and love as well.

From The Daily Beast

Besides dopamine, serotonin might play a role, too, researchers say, as well as other brain chemicals and receptors.

From The Daily Beast

Those drugs are SSRIs—serotonin uptake inhibitors—and they spin their mood magic by elevating levels of serotonin in the brain.

From The Daily Beast