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serotonin

/sɛrəˈtoʊnɪn/
/sɛrəˈtʌʊnɪn/
IPA guide

Serotonin is a chemical in the human body known as the “feel-good chemical.” It helps regulate things like mood, sleep, and appetite. Some of it is in your brain but most of it is in your gut.

Serotonin helps cells talk to each other. As serotonin has been studied by scientists over the years, it's become clear how important it is for helping people avoid depression and anxiety. With enough serotonin in your brain, you're able to sleep soundly, learn new things, and remember things clearly. Serotonin also helps with digestion, blood clotting, and bone density. Doctors first discovered serotonin in the 1940s.

Definitions of serotonin
  1. noun
    a neurotransmitter involved in e.g. sleep and depression and memory
    see moresee less
    type of:
    monoamine neurotransmitter
    a monoamine that is functionally important in neural transmission
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