Can our serotonin level influence how spiritual we are?

According to research published in the The American Journal of Psychiatry back in 2003, this may precisely be the case. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that has been demonstrated to have an influence on a number of things, such as mood, depression, anger and aggression. It’s role in happiness is clearly demonstrated with the ultimate serotonin releaser, MDMA and is also replenishable, since it can be found in an enormous variety of mushrooms, plants, fruits, vegetables, and animals.

A team of Swedish researchers found that the presence of a receptor that regulates general serotonin activity in the brain correlates with people’s capacity for transcendence, the ability to apprehend phenomena that cannot be explained objectively. Scientists have long suspected that serotonin influences spirituality because substances known to alter serotonin, such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, and MDMA are known to cause perturbations of the serotonin system in several brain regions and also induce mystical experiences. On a behavioral level, these substances elicit perceptual distortions, illusions, a sense of insight, spiritual awareness, mystical experiences, and spiritual ecstasy. These effects induced by hallucinogens resemble the extrasensory perception and ideation endorsed by subjects scoring high on a spiritual acceptance scale. However, now they have proof from brain scans linking the capacity for spirituality with a major biological element.

The researchers believe that it provides evidence that religiosity and spirituality are not defined necessarily or entirely by environmental or cultural factors, such as upbringing. Basically, those with a higher concentration of serotonin receptors will therefore most likely show a stronger inclination towards spiritual acceptance. There can be many reasons for a higher or lower level of serotonin and likewise there are several ways to raise or lower those levels naturally. Studies have also shown that low serotonin levels are often found among violence-prone children and adult, which can help people understand certain actions and behaviors in a more reasonable manner, as to why they behave the way they do.

It is quite clear that serotonin influences how spiritual an individual is, but this does not mean a person is as spiritual as how much serotonin they have. A perfect example of such a case is with the molecules Salvinorin A and Salvinorin B, found in Salvia Divinorum, also known as Diviner’s Sage. Salvia, when ingested, gives the user an intense spiritual and mystical experience, but does not involve serotonin at all. It may act primarily on the kappa opioid receptor system, indicating that the serotonin system is not the only brain neurotransmitter system that may be related to spiritual experiences. Studies conducted by Rick Strassman demonstrated that DMT is intimately involved in mystical experience as well, but perhaps we will discuss that fascinating molecule in depth at a later time.

So what can one do if they wish to be more spiritual? One way that may be suggested is to increase the level of serotonin in the body. However, unlike its precursors 5-HTP and tryptophan, serotonin does not cross the blood-brain barrier, which means that ingesting serotonin in the diet has no effect on brain serotonin levels. However, for the sake of information, if a person wishes to go and incorporate the foods that have the highest levels of serotonin into their diet, walnuts would be the answer. Walnuts have 25-400mg/kg of serotonin, which far surpasses all other foods. Second in line would be plantains, bananas, pineapples, kiwis, plums, and tomatoes, holding 3-30mg/kg of serotonin. Of greater interest perhaps, is that the ingesting of 5-HTP as a supplement (which is usually extracted from the Griffonia simplicifolia seed) will also increase one’s overall levels of serotonin. 5-HTP and it’s precurser L-Tryptophan can be found in capsule form within a wide variety of vitamin shops.

Acupuncture is a way that has been demonstrated in animals to be a way to release more serotonin, which may be an avenue one may look into to increase serotonin levels. Also, a verified method of increasing serotonin levels is through exposure to bright light. It has been known for quite some time that those who live in places around the world that experiences prolonged periods without sunshine or in complete darkness are more depressed. Autopsies have shown that those who die in the summertime have higher levels of serotonin than those who die in the wintertime. So go outside and soak up the sun! You will not only be happier, but may find an increase spirituality within your being. You may contemplate the meaning of life, your purpose for existence, and perhaps even feel the oneness of everything and everyone. Even on a cloudy day, you can receive more light than you would if you stayed indoors. A third and final method of guaranteed serotonin increase is through exercise. The antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of exercise have been clearly demonstrated and are yet another free and simple way of gaining a higher level of spirituality. Whether it’s taking a jog around the local park or doing a cardio workout at the gym, exercise will increase one’s mood and bring about a higher state of consciousness.

A very strong tool/technology to utilize towards increased serotonin production is the practice of meditation. The benefits of meditation are far too numerous to mention here. The important thing to remember, as it relates to this subject, is that meditation increases serotonin production, which then influences mood and behavior. By having even a short meditation session every day, one is able to increase his or her overall serotonin levels. It is a free, simple, and very beneficial practice whose results will speak for themselves.

While it is a fact that the level of serotonin correlates with the level of spirituality, it is also noted that a higher level of spirituality comes from other sources as well. Salvinorin A and DMT are two other sources that heighten the level of spirituality for an individual. If a child of a parent rejects the religion or spiritual beliefs he or she was brought up in, it may be too simple and ignorant to think that the reason lies primarily in rebellion or some kind of unworthiness. Rather, the reason may be more chemical than one may believe to be so. Nothing in existential reality is either black or white. There are only an infinite amount of shades. Things are much more complicated that we may attribute them to be, but we oversimplify and overgeneralize all these things in order to not have to think more critically and complexly, since this drains us of energy to go through such laborious processes. However, not doing so, we may make fundamentally error-prone decisions and mistakes that may cost us even our closest familial relationships. So go on, meditate, spend the day outside, talk a run around the block, and perhaps even visit an acupuncturist if you have the necessary funds. If you feel that you are missing some extra spirituality in your life, try these things to increase your serotonin levels and you may be able to fill that void with peace, love, and happiness.