How Your Gut Creates Serotonin — And Why It’s a Big Deal for Your Mental Health
When we think about mental health, we often focus on the brain. But what if I told you one of the biggest influencers of your mood, anxiety levels, and even sleep patterns is actually in your gut?
That’s right - about 90 to 95% of your body’s serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, not your brain. This feel-good chemical, best known for boosting mood and promoting a sense of well-being, is tightly connected to your digestive system. So, let’s break down how serotonin is made in the gut - and how it influences the way we feel.
How Is Serotonin Made in the Gut?
Serotonin is synthesized from an amino acid called tryptophan, which we get from foods like eggs, turkey, cheese, nuts, seeds, and tofu. Once you eat these tryptophan-rich foods, your gut’s enterochromaffin cells (a special type of cell that lines the GI tract) get to work. These cells convert tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and then into serotonin (5-HT) with the help of certain enzymes.
But your gut doesn’t do this all alone.
It turns out your gut microbiome - the trillions of bacteria that live in your intestines - plays a huge role. These microbes help regulate the production of serotonin by influencing how much tryptophan is available and how well your gut cells function. Some even produce short-chain fatty acids that improve serotonin synthesis directly.
The Gut-Brain Axis: Your Second Brain
Scientists often call the gut the “second brain” because it has its own network of neurons called the enteric nervous system (ENS). This system communicates constantly with your central nervous system - the brain and spinal cord - through what’s known as the gut-brain axis.
When your gut produces serotonin, it affects more than just digestion (though it does help regulate motility and nausea). Through the vagus nerve and other pathways, your gut sends messages to your brain that can influence:
Mood and anxiety levels
Sleep quality
Stress response
Appetite and food cravings
How Can You Support Gut-Driven Serotonin Production?
Here are some science-backed ways to support your gut and, in turn, your serotonin levels:
Eat more fiber: Whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains feed the good gut bacteria that support serotonin synthesis.
Add fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi introduce healthy microbes that aid digestion and mood regulation.
Reduce sugar and processed foods: These can disrupt your gut flora and interfere with serotonin production.
Manage stress: Chronic stress damages the gut lining and changes microbial balance, which can lower serotonin levels.
Consider probiotics: Some strains, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have been linked to improved mood and gut health.
Final Thoughts: A Happy Gut Means a Happier You
Your gut is doing a lot more than just digesting your lunch - it’s producing the very chemicals that help you feel calm, focused, and emotionally balanced. If you’ve ever had a “gut feeling” about something, it’s not just a figure of speech.
So the next time you’re thinking about how to care for your mental health, don’t forget your gut. It may just be the key to unlocking a more peaceful, emotionally steady you.
Call us today to get working on your gut! We want you to feel better!
Your Team at Black Psychiatry
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KetamineTreatment: A New Hope in Mental Health Care
Ketamine treatment, in house or in clinic!
By Chris Black
Over the past decade, mental health treatment has experienced a quiet but powerful revolution. Having a nutritional psychiatry focus, I’ve seen firsthand how conventional approaches—therapy, SSRIs, mood stabilizers—can be life-changing for many, but not for everyone. Some patients remain stuck in a fog of depression, a multitude of side effects and despite trying numerous medications, therapists, and every self-help book under the sun.
That’s where ketamine comes in.
When I first heard about ketamine as a treatment for depression and PTSD, I was curious and skeptical. Like many in my field, I associated it with emergency rooms, anesthesia and, honestly, with club culture. But the science behind its use for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety is compelling, and the results I’ve seen in practice are nothing short of remarkable.
How Does It Work?
Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks (or months) to have a mild response or efficacy, ketamine works rapidly—often within hours. The half life of Ketamine is 2.5 hours, which means it circulates the system immediately. It operates on the brain’s glutamate system, not serotonin, which may be part of the reason it offers relief when nothing else has worked. For many of my patients, that first treatment feels like someone has finally turned the lights back on.
One patient described it this way: “It didn’t make my problems go away, but for the first time in years, I had the energy and clarity to face them.”
The Benefits I See Every Day
Here are a few key benefits I’ve observed in my practice:
Rapid Relief from Depression: Especially for those with suicidal thoughts or severe depressive symptoms. Ketamine can be life-saving.
Treatment for PTSD: It doesn’t erase trauma, but it seems to reduce the brain’s constant reactivation of painful memories, allowing space for real healing.
Improved Cognitive Flexibility: Many patients report feeling mentally “unstuck” after a treatment—less ruminative, more hopeful, more open.
Supports Ongoing Therapy: Ketamine isn’t a standalone solution. But in conjunction with psychotherapy and integration, it often accelerates the healing process.
A Human-Centered Approach
Here at black-psychiatry.com, we have been a pioneer in approaching ketamine treatment with a holistic, patient-first philosophy. What sets this work apart is the emphasis on creating a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed environment. Ketamine isn’t just administered—it’s integrated into the patient’s larger journey of mental wellness.
We know that healing isn’t just about chemistry—it’s about connection. The best results come when patients feel seen, supported, and empowered in their own recovery.
What You Should Know Before Considering Ketamine
It’s not for everyone. It requires careful screening, medical oversight, and a clear treatment plan. Side effects can include dissociation or temporary increases in blood pressure. But for those who are good candidates, the results can be life changing.
If you or someone you love has struggled with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, ptsd, it might be worth exploring. More and more clinics like the ones led by forward-thinking professionals are making this option accessible in a safe, medically sound setting.
Final Thoughts
We’re entering a new era in psychiatry- one where we finally have more tools to address complex mental health conditions with the nuance and urgency they deserve. Ketamine isn’t a miracle cure, but it’s a powerful intervention that offers real hope.
As a psychiatrist, I’m grateful to witness lives being changed, often when all other options seemed to have failed.
If you’re curious, do your research. Talk to your doctor. And when you’re ready, reach out to professionals who truly get it.
We are here for you- the team at black-psychiatry.com.