Serotonin acting compounds (Emotional balance & Sleep]
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is involved in hunger, mood, sleep, stress, positivity, sociability, and many areas of human functioning. Your body makes Serotonin from 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) and itself is a precursor for the neurohormone Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) that also helps regulate sleep.
There are various ways to effect Serotonin:
Precursors that the body can convert into Serotonin such as the amino acid L-Trytophan and it's metabolite 5-HTP is a direct precusor.
Serotonin is broken down by an enzyme called MAO-A. St John's Wort is an herb that contains compounds that block this enzyme and thus raises Serotonin levels.


