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Depression affects over 350 million people worldwide, according to estimates by the World Health Organization. Of that number, approximately 80 percent of people have a co-morbid condition. One of the most common co-morbid conditions is insomnia. People with sleep disorders may have depression, anxiety, and/or irritability.
This is because the lack of sleep is a symptom of depression. To understand the connection between the two, it’s important to understand the role of the hormone serotonin and sleep. Serotonin is the sleep-inhibiting hormone that is responsible for sleep’s calming effects.
What is serotonin?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep. It is released by the body in response to environmental stimuli, meaning that it can be easily influenced by what surrounds you.
The levels of serotonin in the brain can be affected by your diet, exercise, and sleep habits. There are a few things that you can do to ensure that your serotonin levels are on an even keel and that you are not at risk of developing depression.
The role of serotonin
The role of serotonin in depression is the ability of this hormone to affect the sleep cycle. When people have low levels of serotonin, they are more likely to have sleep problems. This is because they are not able to enter into deep sleep. People with depression are also more likely to have a poor sleep quality.
They may have trouble sleeping at night or may wake up during the night. This can cause feelings of anxiety and depression.
The link between serotonin and sleep
The link between the sleep-inhibiting hormone serotonin and depression is a complicated one. There is no definite answer as to what causes depression and the connection between serotonin and depression is still unclear. One thing is for certain, though: the lack of sleep is a major cause of depression.
Conclusion.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to sleep problems. However, there are some general steps that can be taken to help you sleep better. For example, it is important to maintain a regular sleep schedule and to avoid the use of electronic devices before bedtime. It is also important to make sure you are getting enough sleep.
It is important to keep in mind that the use of serotonin can be a cause of sleep problems. If you have a loved one that is experiencing sleep problems, you may want to talk to them about the possibility of using serotonin to help them sleep.
