Does Meth affect Serotonin Levels?

still catest

Does Meth Affect Serotonin Levels?

1. So...does it?

2. What is the difference between Serotonin & Dopamine?

Loraura

Re: Does Meth Affect Serotonin Levels?

Some studies say yes, to some extent. Some say it is negligable. Some don't mention it at all. The overwhelming impact on dopamine is so intense, that any secondary effect on serotonin (and also norepinephrine) has not been the focus of a lot of scientific studies.

But.... all three major neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Serotonin) continuously work in balance with each other. You can think of it like a multi-sided mathmatical equation where you don't just solve for X... you have X, Y and Z which are all variables and must change to accomodate each other.

When you release a ton of norepinephrine when you barely escape a car crash.. you don't feel hunger, or pleasure. Norepinephrine is in charge at that point.

When you're having fabulous sex, dopamine is running the show, and you're not hungry, nor are you feeling anxious or worried.

When you just finished off thanksgiving dinner, and you can barely move you're so full, Seratonin is in charge, the thought of having sex just isn't all that appealing.

Serotonin has several versions. Five, if I recall. (Don't quote me on that!) That's why SSRI's have the first "S" for "Selective". Different SSRI medications work on different types of Serotonin. They are very similar, but slightly different.

Serotonin is most famously known for regulation of mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite. Serotonin has been thought to play a part in many disorders, notably as part of the biochemistry of depression, migraine, bipolar disorder and anxiety.

Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is particularly plentiful in chocolate, oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, fish, turkey, chicken, sesame and peanuts.

Amphetamines, in general, have been used medically to decrease appetite for many years. Methamphetamine, specifically, has some special properties that make dopamine it's favorite target.

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