Postpartum Depression, Serotonin and Stress

As scientists explore the role of serotonin in mood, more and more people are being identified as having low serotonin levels. As discussed in the chapter on depression, serotonin and its group of neurotransmitters called catecholamines are chiefly made by the adrenal glands. They all work together as a team to keep our moods stable and balanced. As the general level of stress in our life goes up, our adrenal glands make more catecholamines, which means our brains have less serotonin to maintain balance.

As stressful events occur, such as pregnancy and childbirth, the brain can have difficulty making enough serotonin to correspond with the new levels of catecholamines. In addition to serotonin deficiency, catecholamine and adrenal function have been linked to depression.16 As wonderful as pregnancy and new motherhood can be, it places a great deal of stress on the mind and body.

Depression and Norepinephrine

Some women suffer from a kind of depression that results from low levels of norepinephrine as opposed to low serotonin. Increasing serotonin levels with drugs will not help this kind of depression and can actually make some people more depressed. People with low norepinephrine levels feel a lack of energy and motivation, as opposed to those with low serotonin levels who tend to have increased anxiety. The way this type of PPD is diagnosed is usually through the trial and error of various drugs.

Postpartum Depression, Serotonin and Nutrition

There are other events, besides stress, that make it more difficult for the brain to produce adequate serotonin. One of the greatest factors is nutrition. In order to produce sufficient serotonin, the brain needs a continual supply of nutrients, such as tryptophan and vitamin B6. The production of serotonin is a complex process that requires specific nutrients during every phase. For example, in order to convert tryptophan into 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), the body needs sufficient iron and vitamin B3 (niacin). In addition, the body needs other B vitamins and magnesium to convert vitamin B6 to pyridoxyl-5-phosphate (P5P). At the end of the day, if we don’t have enough 5-HTP and P5P, our brain can’t produce sufficient serotonin, resulting in depression. By supplying the brain with the appropriate nutrients, it functions properly and emotional balance is maintained.

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