What is 7-Keto-DHEA hormone?
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009Serotonin does play a role in sleep regulation, but more importantly, serotonin is the precursor to melatonin, a hormone crucial to the sleep cycle. On its own, melatonin supplementation has been shown to be an effective treatment for insomnia; however, combining melatonin with tryptophan may prove even more effective. Serotonin plays an intricate part in the mechanisms of sleep, mood and hunger. One study concluded that 5-HTP supplement reduced the total number of daily calories without the participants putting forth any effort to lose weight. Serotonin is made from tryptophan, while dopamine and noradrenaline are made from tyrosine and phenylalanine. Since the blood-brain barrier prevents serotonin from being imported from outside the brain, all serotonin used by our brain cells must be made within the neurons.