Feeling calm, cheerful, and well-rested? You can thank serotonin—your body’s behind-the-scenes mood master.
You may have heard of serotonin as the "happy hormone," but its role goes far beyond just lifting your spirits. Serotonin is a powerful neurotransmitter that influences everything from mood regulation and digestion to sleep and pain perception. When your serotonin levels are out of balance, it can lead to anxiety, low mood, poor sleep, and even gut discomfort.
So what exactly does serotonin do, and how can you naturally support healthy serotonin levels for a better mind–body balance?
What Serotonin Really Does ?
Serotonin acts as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, sending important signals between nerve cells. While it's most well-known for its role in the brain, about 90% of your body's serotonin is actually produced in the gut. Some of this gut-produced serotonin is released into the bloodstream and circulates to the rest of the body where it acts as a hormone and intracellular signaling molecule.
- In the brain, serotonin helps to:
- Stabilize mood and reduce anxiety
- Regulate your sleep-wake cycle
- Control appetite and satiety
- Support learning and memory
- In the body, it also contributes to:
- Healthy digestion and gut motility
- Pain perception and blood clotting
This deep brain-gut connection explains why emotional stress can lead to digestive issues—or why "gut feelings" are often more than just a metaphor.
What Happens When Serotonin is Low?
When your serotonin levels drop too low, it can affect both mental and physical health. Some signs of low serotonin may include:
- Depressed mood or sadness
- Anxiety or irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Digestive issues like bloating or constipation
- Increased sensitivity to pain
Further research suggests that individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show lower serotonin activity in key areas of the brain related to mood and social behavior. Brain imaging studies have found reduced availability of serotonin transporters and receptors in regions like the frontal and cingulate cortex—areas that help regulate emotional responses and social connection.
These findings point to a possible link between serotonin imbalances and some of the core symptoms of ASD, such as difficulties with social interaction and emotional regulation.
Natural Ways to Support Healthy Serotonin Levels
While medications like SSRIs are often prescribed, several natural strategies may also help regulate serotonin levels:
1. Get Sunlight Exposure
Morning light helps stimulate serotonin production and can support a healthier sleep-wake cycle.
2. Eat Tryptophan-Rich Foods
Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin. Foods like soy, dairy, seeds, nuts, and turkey—especially when paired with healthy carbs—can help increase serotonin production.
3. Exercise Regularly
Physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or yoga, naturally boosts serotonin and enhances mood over time.
4. Support a Healthy Gut Microbiome
Because most serotonin is made in the gut, a healthy gut microbiome is crucial. This is where psychobiotics come in.
Meet PS128 Psychobiotic That Targets Serotonin and Mood
Psychobiotics are a special class of probiotics that benefit not just your gut, but also your mental well-being—by acting through the gut-brain axis. One of the most well-studied psychobiotic strains is Lactobacillus plantarum PS128.
Research shows that PS128 may help regulate serotonin and dopamine levels, offering benefits for mood, stress, and focus. In preclinical studies:
- Mice exposed to early life stress showed fewer anxiety- and depression-like behaviors after taking PS128.
- Germ-free mice—raised without gut bacteria—had increased serotonin in specific brain regions after PS128 supplementation, showing its direct neuromodulatory effects.
- In IBS rat models, PS128 helped restore serotonin levels in the hypothalamus and reduced visceral pain, highlighting benefits for both mental and digestive health.
Taken together, these preclinical findings point to PS128’s potential as a psychobiotic—a probiotic that supports mental well-being by acting on the gut-brain axis. By improving serotonin signaling, PS128 may offer a natural way to support mood balance, reduce stress, and promote emotional clarity.
A Gentle First Step Toward Better Mental Well-Being
Emotional wellness isn’t just about mindset—it’s deeply tied to biology. Serotonin is a key player in the communication between your brain and gut, and PS128 may help support that connection naturally.
If you're looking for a science-backed way to feel more balanced, focused, and emotionally resilient, consider starting with your gut. Neuralli MP which is formulated with PS128 offers a gentle, natural approach to boosting serotonin and supporting overall mental well-being—from the inside out.
