Serotonin - what, where and anything else?

[jeanc]

Hi,

I'm busy looking for sites discussing the serotonin in the brain .....here's one below - ..........

http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPa.../298373a0.html

I've also found a site that talks about serotonin in the gut - here's the link:

http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/serotonin.html

"Serotonin is found in both the brain and the gut, but it is now widely understood that 95% of the serotonin in the body resides in the gut."

there is more than one type of serotonin - this site cites 5 of them.
I realise that this site discusses IBS, a gut problem, but it's got a lot of info.

Still looking and will post sites as I find them.

[jeanc]

Here's another "serotonin" site. Actually it's more neuroscience but it's very readable ..........

http://web.sfn.org/content/Publicati...serotonin.html

Well, seems I'm here talking to myself - that's nothing new. So, seeing as it's past 2.00am. until later.

[elisa]

Jean, there is a lot of information about serotonin in this website:

www.antidepressantsfacts.com

Quite a few of them are studies, a little technical and old but still very relevant.

[jeanc]

Originally Posted by elisa

Jean, there is a lot of information about serotonin in this website:

www.antidepressantsfacts.com

Quite a few of them are studies, a little technical and old but still very relevant.

Thanks - I'll get back to that site again. Ijust came up for air, and a nice cup of tea after getting freaked out about the BUSH notion that the whole of America needs to get screened - what about HIM?? What's he taking?

Yes, I'd better rush off for a cup of tea here - wondering all the way, "are they going to be putting this stuff in the drinking water?"

and "no" - I'm not going back to taking Paxil for wondering all these awful things. I think I'm normal, and having normal wonders about all this scary stuff.

[scotty]

Jean the research isn't abnormal at all!! It the nurse brain wanting as much information from as many sources as you can get. Google away women!!

[jeanc]

Originally Posted by scotty

Jean the research isn't abnormal at all!! It the nurse brain wanting as much information from as many sources as you can get. Google away women!!

Hi Scotty

- how are you doing? Good to hear from you - was wondering where you were -

Just wanted to let you know - "yes" - your story is a long one - I still haven't finished it, but did get a good start, and it will take a while for me to plod right through it; but I shall in time do so.

[scotty]

I'm still here Jean! I worked this weekend so by time I get home I'm beat! Take your time on the thread, it's not easy reading.

[Light]

Hi, a minor correction--there is only one type of serotonin but there are multiple serotonin receptor subtypes. Keep in mind that in terms of the brain, serontergic nucluei are located in the raphe nucleus of the brainstem and project difusely to the entire cerebral cortex. Serotonin is everywhere and it's functions are widely varied. There is no simple straighforward map or understanding of it. But it's great that you are expanding your awareness.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Light

Keep in mind that in terms of the brain, serontergic nucluei are located in the raphe nucleus of the brainstem and project difusely to the entire cerebral cortex.

8-O

[silence4now]

Light, are you saying that serotonin can only be used in the brain even though it is found throughout the body?

[Light]

Silence,

I was simply trying to say that understanding it's function in the brain is difficult. It's everywhere, it affects everything, it's inhibitory at some synapses, excitatory at others, and there are multiple receptor subtypes. I was trying to give an appreciation of it's complexity.

[jeanc]

Originally Posted by silence4now

Light, are you saying that serotonin can only be used in the brain even though it is found throughout the body?

Hi - I'm not Light - sorry about that, I'm me.

Serotonin is in the body - and 95% of it is in the GUT - GI TRACT - which they are now calling "the second brain" of the body - AND there are - as far as I know - 5 different forms of serotonin -

I don't know where else the complete remaining 5% of serotonin is - but there is serotonin in the brain.

To elaborate on the 5 different forms of Serotonin -

- maybe it would help to think of 5 different types of water

- #1 comes out of the kitchen faucet,

- #2 is distilled, and comes in a gallon jug,

- #3 is Poland Springs in its gallon jug ,

- #4 is some other Spring water, and #5 is yet another Spring water

- something along those lines.

You know what? I keep seeing your name .... "silence4now" ...... and there's something about it that makes me believe that no matter what, you still have a lot to say, and that there's a lot going on inside of you. Well, I sure hope you're OK, because I didn't want to be intrusive, but I felt bad in a vicarious sort of way, because I was wondering if you had shut yourself off and were feeling altogether bad.