serotonin

noun se·ro·to·nin \ ˌsir-ə-ˈtō-nən , ˌser- \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of serotonin

: a phenolic amine neurotransmitter C₁₀H₁₂N₂O that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found especially in the brain, blood serum, and gastric mucous membrane of mammals

Recent Examples of serotonin from the Web

That shouldn't be too surprising, considering that sunlight helps promote the production of serotonin, a feel-good mood chemical in your brain.

— barbara brody, Health.com, "7 Self-Care Tips That Will Make You Happier This Summer," 5 June 2018
In general, antidepressants alter the levels of neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, in the brain.

— korin miller, SELF, "Yep, It's Possible to Build Up a Tolerance to an Antidepressant," 11 Apr. 2018
Another tasty mood-booster and tension tamer: dark cherries, which a 2012 study found to reduce cortisol and increase serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood.

— tori rodriguez, Woman's Day, "10 Ways to Use Your Senses to Beat Stress," 20 May 2016
Escitalopram is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, which increase your levels of serotonin to help maintain mental balance.

— terrell jermaine starr, The Root, "Why I Don’t Regret Taking Medication to Cope With My Depression," 17 May 2018
And then there were those who really couldn't get enough mood-enhancing serotonin.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "The 10 Best Beauty Looks of the Week: Kendall Jenner, Victoria Beckham, and More," 13 May 2018
The standard explanation is that Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft and other SSRIs boost serotonin levels.

— maggie jones, New York Times, "A Reckoning With an Imperfect Science in ‘Blue Dreams’," 3 Apr. 2018
Like any other enjoyable activity, playing with your pet releases the feel-good hormones, serotonin and dopamine.

— cassie armstrong, OrlandoSentinel.com, "National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day: How to celebrate in Central Florida," 30 Apr. 2018
Scientists also noted that knitting releases the mood-regulator serotonin in the brain.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "WATCH: The Countless Ways Knitting Can Improve Your Health and Happiness," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'serotonin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of serotonin

sero- + tonic + ¹-in

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1948

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

serotonin

noun se·ro·to·nin \ ˌsir-ə-ˈtō-nən , ˌser- \

medical Definition of serotonin

: a phenolic amine neurotransmitter C₁₀H₁₂N₂O that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found especially in the brain, blood serum, and gastric mucous membrane of mammals — called also 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine