Serotonin is often described as the “happiness molecule,” but its biology tells a larger story. Nearly every step in serotonin’s synthesis and signaling, from the transport of dietary tryptophan to the enzymes that convert it, is influenced by nutrition.

This episode examines how macronutrients, micronutrients, and gut-derived metabolites shape serotonin availability across the brain and body. Protein and carbohydrate balance determine how much tryptophan enters the brain. Specific vitamins and minerals serve as essential cofactors in its production and turnover, and so on…

Understanding serotonin through this nutritional lens reframes it not as a simple neurotransmitter, but as a metabolic signal connecting diet, metabolism, and mood regulation.

00:00 Introduction to Serotonin

01:07 Evolutionary Role of Serotonin

02:08 Nutritional Influence on Serotonin Synthesis

02:55 Enzymatic Pathways of Serotonin Production

04:21 Macronutrients: Impact on Serotonin

06:32 Vitamins and Minerals: Impact on Serotonin

09:27 Plant Compounds and Gut Microbiome: Impact on Serotonin

10:24 Serotonin as a Biochemical Bridge

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40998119/