How to Stimulate Serotonin

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLifestyle Strategies to Stimulate SerotoninSupplements That May HelpMedications That Stimulate Serotonin

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Table of Contents

Lifestyle Strategies to Stimulate Serotonin

Supplements That May Help

Medications That Stimulate Serotonin

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If you’re interested in finding ways to improve your mood, you may have heard that increasing serotonin can be helpful.Serotoninis a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating mood and emotion.Many people think of serotonin as the “happy chemical” because it’s associated with feelings of well-being, happiness, and calmness.

Strategies that can help you increase serotonin naturally include getting enough sunlight, eating foods that contain tryptophan, regulating your stress levels, exercising regularly, practicing self-care, expressing gratitude, and spending time with people you love. Certain supplements, medications, and psychotherapy can also help boost serotonin levels.

At a GlanceIf you want to feel happier, mentally sharper, and just plain better, finding natural ways to boost your serotonin levels can really help. Simple lifestyle changes—like moving your body, getting enough sleep, and managing your stress—can help stimulate serotonin levels. Certain supplements, spending time in nature, and even spending time with the people you love can also help. If you need a little extra mental pick-me-up, try using some of these strategies for stimulating serotonin.

At a Glance

If you want to feel happier, mentally sharper, and just plain better, finding natural ways to boost your serotonin levels can really help. Simple lifestyle changes—like moving your body, getting enough sleep, and managing your stress—can help stimulate serotonin levels. Certain supplements, spending time in nature, and even spending time with the people you love can also help. If you need a little extra mental pick-me-up, try using some of these strategies for stimulating serotonin.

First, let’s start with the things you can do on your own to help naturally boost your serotonin levels:

Get Enough Sunlight Every Day

Aim for at least 30 minutes. Whether you bask in your backyard, take a briskwalk around the block, or simply sit near a sunny window, getting some natural light will help increase your serotonin levels.

Research has found that exposure to sunlight has a host of mental health benefits. In addition to naturally boosting serotonin levels, it also helps regulate your body’s internal clock that controls your sleep-wake cycle.Not only that, it also plays a role in the production of vitamin D. Getting sun exposure has been linked to lower symptoms of depression.

Just make sure you wear sunscreen.

Eat More Tryptophan-rich Foods

Tryptophan is an amino acid that’s needed for serotonin production.Include moretryptophan-rich foodsin your diet, such as the ones below:

Your body cannot make tryptophan on its own, so it’s important to obtain it through your diet. If you are not eating enough foods containing this amino acid, you may develop a tryptophan deficiency, which may contribute to symptoms of depression.

Reduce Stress Levels

Chronic stresscan lead to low serotonin levels, so it’s important to ensure that your stress levels are under control.If a life situation is the cause of your stress, do your best to change it. If you can’t change it, try to find ways to cope with the stress in a healthy way, such as through exercise,relaxation techniques, orcounseling.

If you’ve never triedyogaormeditation, now might be the time to do so. These activities have been shown to help reduce stress and promote relaxation, both of which can increase serotonin levels.

Specific relaxation tactics that can help lower your stress levels include:

Exercise Regularly

Evenmoderate exercisecan make a difference. Research shows that people who get regular exercise have higher levels of serotonin than sedentary folks.Below are some ideas of how to get exercise:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.

Take Care of Yourself Emotionally

If you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression, it can have a negative impact on your serotonin levels. Considertalking to a therapistto help you work through any emotional issues you may be facing. If therapy is not an option,writing regularly in a journalcan also be helpful.

Other aspects of emotional self-care include making sure you are using healthy coping strategies, having time for leisure activities, and getting enough social support.

5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for mental well-being. Problems with sleep are linked to a range ofmental health problems, including an increased risk for anxiety and depression. Being sleep-deprived interferes with serotonin transmission.

Taking steps to improve your sleep can include:

Spend Time With Loved Ones

The social support we have in our lives can make a big difference in how we feel. In fact,socializingwith friends, family, and loved ones can help improve your mood and increase serotonin levels.

If you are interested inmaking new friends, try joining local groups and activities to meet people who have shared interests. You might also try online apps like MeetUp and Bumble to forge new friendships.

Get Regular Massages

Doing things that make you feel good can also be a great way to stimulate serotonin levels in your body.Massagesare not only relaxing, but they can also help to reduce stress. A study published in the journalComplementary Therapies in Medicinefound that people who used a massage chair had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower perceived depression.

Listen to Calming Music or Read Positive Affirmations

Listening tocalming musicor readingpositive affirmationscan help you relax and focus on the positive. This, in turn, can help increase your serotonin levels. Below are some affirmations to try.

25 Positive Daily Affirmations for Your Mental Health

Spend Time in Nature

There’s something about being in nature that just makes you feel good. Maybe it’s the fresh air, the sound of the waves, or the beauty of the landscape. Whatever it is,spending time in naturehas been shown to help reduce stress and improve mood, both of which can help increase serotonin levels. Below are some ideas for getting outside.

In one study, middle-aged women who engaged inforest therapy(aka spending time in forests doing therapeutic activities like meditation) experienced increases in their serotonin levels.

Connect With Your Spiritual Side

Whether you consider yourself religious or not, connecting with yourspiritual sidecan help reduce stress and promote peace and calm, both of which can help increase serotonin levels.You can connect with your spirituality in the following ways (among others):

Help Others

Doing good deedsfor others can help you feel good about yourself, and that may lead to increased serotonin levels. Whether you volunteer your time, donate money to a worthy cause, or just do something nice for someone, the act of helping others can make you feel better. If you need some ideas to get you started, the following may help:

Tip: Choose activities that are meaningful to you. You’re more likely to feel that you are contributing something good to the world if the cause is something you are passionate about.

Connect With Animals

Spending time with animals has been shown to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve mood. If you don’t have a pet, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter or going on a nature hike where you’re likely to see some wildlife. Some things you can do to connect with animals include the following:

Practice Gratitude

When you’re feeling down, it’s easy to focus on all the negative things in your life. But taking a moment to focus on the things you’re grateful for can help shift your perspective and improve your mood. And that can lead to increased serotonin levels. Below are some ideas forpracticing gratitude.

Research has shown that gratitude interventions can boost positive feelings and emotions. When used alongside therapeutic interventions, gratitude can also be effective in relieving anxiety and depression.

Laugh More

Laughterreally is the best medicine. It’s been shown toboost mood, relieve stress, and improve overall health.So go ahead and watch your favorite comedy, read a funny book, or spend time with people who make you laugh. It’ll do your mind and body good.

Take a Warm Bath or Use Aromatherapy

Try aromatherapy using essential oils such as lavender or chamomile.Aromatherapyhas been shown to be effective in reducing stress and promoting relaxation, both of which can help increase serotonin levels.

Try a Supplement

If you’re not able to get enough sunlight, eat a balanced diet, or exercise regularly, taking a supplement may help increase your serotonin levels. Below are some to try:

Always talk to your doc before you try a vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement. While these are often considered “natural,” that doesn’t mean they don’t have risks and side effects. They can also interact with other medications and supplements you are currently taking.

If you’ve tried natural ways to stimulate serotonin but are still struggling with low mood and other symptoms of depression or anxiety, talk to your doctor. They can recommend treatments that can help, including antidepressants, therapy, or a combination of the two.

Takeaways

If you think you might be suffering from a serotonin deficiency, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Low serotonin levels can be linked to serious health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Treating these conditions can help improve your overall well-being and quality of life.

The Evidence Is In: Depression Might Not Be Linked to Low Serotonin After All

21 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alenina N, Klempin F.The role of serotonin in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Behav Brain Res. 2015;277:49-57. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2014.07.038Veleva BI, van Bezooijen RL, Chel VGM, Numans ME, Caljouw MAA.Effect of ultraviolet light on mood, depressive disorders and well-being.Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2018;34(5):288-297. doi:10.1111/phpp.12396van der Rhee HJ, de Vries E, Coebergh JW.Regular sun exposure benefits health.Med Hypotheses. 2016;97:34-37. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.011Cui Y, Gong Q, Huang C, et al.The relationship between sunlight exposure duration and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study on elderly Chinese women.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254856. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254856Strasser B, Gostner JM, Fuchs D.Mood, food, and cognition: role of tryptophan and serotonin.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016;19(1):55-61. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000237Cowen PJ, Browning M.What has serotonin to do with depression?World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):158-160. doi:10.1002/wps.20229Mahar I, Bambico FR, Mechawar N, Nobrega JN.Stress, serotonin, and hippocampal neurogenesis in relation to depression and antidepressant effects.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014;38:173-192. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.11.009Melancon MO, Lorrain D, Dionne IJ.Exercise and sleep in aging: emphasis on serotonin.Pathol Biol (Paris). 2014;62(5):276-283. doi:10.1016/j.patbio.2014.07.004Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity: An overview.Zhao X, Ozols AB, Meyers KT, et al.Acute sleep deprivation upregulates serotonin 2A receptors in the frontal cortex of mice via the immediate early gene Egr3.Mol Psychiatry.2022 Mar;27(3):1599-1610. doi:10.1038/s41380-021-01390-wMatsunaga M, Ishii K, Ohtsubo Y, Noguchi Y, Ochi M, Yamasue H.Association between salivary serotonin and the social sharing of happiness.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0180391. Published 2017 Jul 6. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180391Baek JY, Lee E, Gil B, Jung HW, Jang IY.Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Complement Ther Med. 2022;66:102825. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102825Park BJ, Shin CS, Shin WS, et al.Effects of forest therapy on health promotion among middle-aged women: Focusing on physiological indicators.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(12):4348. doi:10.3390/ijerph17124348Peselow E, Pi S, Lopez E, Besada A, Ishak WW.The impact of spirituality before and after treatment of major depressive disorder.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):17-23.Diniz G, Korkes L, Tristão LS, Pelegrini R, Bellodi PL, Bernardo WM.The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2023;21:eRW0371. doi:10.31744/einstein_journal/2023RW0371Yim J.Therapeutic benefits of laughter in mental health: A theoretical review.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2016;239(3):243-249. doi:10.1620/tjem.239.243Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical Aromatherapy.Nurs Clin North Am. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015Kaviani M, Nikooyeh B, Zand H, Yaghmaei P, Neyestani TR.Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some involved neurotransmitters.J Affect Disord. 2020;269:28-35. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.029Maffei ME. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP):Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. Published 2020 Dec 26. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181Gibson EL.Tryptophan supplementation and serotonin function: genetic variations in behavioural effects.Proc Nutr Soc. 2018;77(2):174-188. doi:10.1017/S0029665117004451Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CY.Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:211-221. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048

21 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alenina N, Klempin F.The role of serotonin in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Behav Brain Res. 2015;277:49-57. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2014.07.038Veleva BI, van Bezooijen RL, Chel VGM, Numans ME, Caljouw MAA.Effect of ultraviolet light on mood, depressive disorders and well-being.Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2018;34(5):288-297. doi:10.1111/phpp.12396van der Rhee HJ, de Vries E, Coebergh JW.Regular sun exposure benefits health.Med Hypotheses. 2016;97:34-37. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.011Cui Y, Gong Q, Huang C, et al.The relationship between sunlight exposure duration and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study on elderly Chinese women.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254856. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254856Strasser B, Gostner JM, Fuchs D.Mood, food, and cognition: role of tryptophan and serotonin.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016;19(1):55-61. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000237Cowen PJ, Browning M.What has serotonin to do with depression?World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):158-160. doi:10.1002/wps.20229Mahar I, Bambico FR, Mechawar N, Nobrega JN.Stress, serotonin, and hippocampal neurogenesis in relation to depression and antidepressant effects.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014;38:173-192. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.11.009Melancon MO, Lorrain D, Dionne IJ.Exercise and sleep in aging: emphasis on serotonin.Pathol Biol (Paris). 2014;62(5):276-283. doi:10.1016/j.patbio.2014.07.004Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity: An overview.Zhao X, Ozols AB, Meyers KT, et al.Acute sleep deprivation upregulates serotonin 2A receptors in the frontal cortex of mice via the immediate early gene Egr3.Mol Psychiatry.2022 Mar;27(3):1599-1610. doi:10.1038/s41380-021-01390-wMatsunaga M, Ishii K, Ohtsubo Y, Noguchi Y, Ochi M, Yamasue H.Association between salivary serotonin and the social sharing of happiness.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0180391. Published 2017 Jul 6. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180391Baek JY, Lee E, Gil B, Jung HW, Jang IY.Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Complement Ther Med. 2022;66:102825. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102825Park BJ, Shin CS, Shin WS, et al.Effects of forest therapy on health promotion among middle-aged women: Focusing on physiological indicators.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(12):4348. doi:10.3390/ijerph17124348Peselow E, Pi S, Lopez E, Besada A, Ishak WW.The impact of spirituality before and after treatment of major depressive disorder.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):17-23.Diniz G, Korkes L, Tristão LS, Pelegrini R, Bellodi PL, Bernardo WM.The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2023;21:eRW0371. doi:10.31744/einstein_journal/2023RW0371Yim J.Therapeutic benefits of laughter in mental health: A theoretical review.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2016;239(3):243-249. doi:10.1620/tjem.239.243Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical Aromatherapy.Nurs Clin North Am. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015Kaviani M, Nikooyeh B, Zand H, Yaghmaei P, Neyestani TR.Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some involved neurotransmitters.J Affect Disord. 2020;269:28-35. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.029Maffei ME. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP):Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. Published 2020 Dec 26. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181Gibson EL.Tryptophan supplementation and serotonin function: genetic variations in behavioural effects.Proc Nutr Soc. 2018;77(2):174-188. doi:10.1017/S0029665117004451Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CY.Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:211-221. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Alenina N, Klempin F.The role of serotonin in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Behav Brain Res. 2015;277:49-57. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2014.07.038Veleva BI, van Bezooijen RL, Chel VGM, Numans ME, Caljouw MAA.Effect of ultraviolet light on mood, depressive disorders and well-being.Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2018;34(5):288-297. doi:10.1111/phpp.12396van der Rhee HJ, de Vries E, Coebergh JW.Regular sun exposure benefits health.Med Hypotheses. 2016;97:34-37. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.011Cui Y, Gong Q, Huang C, et al.The relationship between sunlight exposure duration and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study on elderly Chinese women.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254856. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254856Strasser B, Gostner JM, Fuchs D.Mood, food, and cognition: role of tryptophan and serotonin.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016;19(1):55-61. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000237Cowen PJ, Browning M.What has serotonin to do with depression?World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):158-160. doi:10.1002/wps.20229Mahar I, Bambico FR, Mechawar N, Nobrega JN.Stress, serotonin, and hippocampal neurogenesis in relation to depression and antidepressant effects.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014;38:173-192. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.11.009Melancon MO, Lorrain D, Dionne IJ.Exercise and sleep in aging: emphasis on serotonin.Pathol Biol (Paris). 2014;62(5):276-283. doi:10.1016/j.patbio.2014.07.004Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity: An overview.Zhao X, Ozols AB, Meyers KT, et al.Acute sleep deprivation upregulates serotonin 2A receptors in the frontal cortex of mice via the immediate early gene Egr3.Mol Psychiatry.2022 Mar;27(3):1599-1610. doi:10.1038/s41380-021-01390-wMatsunaga M, Ishii K, Ohtsubo Y, Noguchi Y, Ochi M, Yamasue H.Association between salivary serotonin and the social sharing of happiness.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0180391. Published 2017 Jul 6. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180391Baek JY, Lee E, Gil B, Jung HW, Jang IY.Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Complement Ther Med. 2022;66:102825. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102825Park BJ, Shin CS, Shin WS, et al.Effects of forest therapy on health promotion among middle-aged women: Focusing on physiological indicators.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(12):4348. doi:10.3390/ijerph17124348Peselow E, Pi S, Lopez E, Besada A, Ishak WW.The impact of spirituality before and after treatment of major depressive disorder.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):17-23.Diniz G, Korkes L, Tristão LS, Pelegrini R, Bellodi PL, Bernardo WM.The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2023;21:eRW0371. doi:10.31744/einstein_journal/2023RW0371Yim J.Therapeutic benefits of laughter in mental health: A theoretical review.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2016;239(3):243-249. doi:10.1620/tjem.239.243Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical Aromatherapy.Nurs Clin North Am. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015Kaviani M, Nikooyeh B, Zand H, Yaghmaei P, Neyestani TR.Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some involved neurotransmitters.J Affect Disord. 2020;269:28-35. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.029Maffei ME. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP):Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. Published 2020 Dec 26. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181Gibson EL.Tryptophan supplementation and serotonin function: genetic variations in behavioural effects.Proc Nutr Soc. 2018;77(2):174-188. doi:10.1017/S0029665117004451Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CY.Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:211-221. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048

Alenina N, Klempin F.The role of serotonin in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Behav Brain Res. 2015;277:49-57. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2014.07.038

Veleva BI, van Bezooijen RL, Chel VGM, Numans ME, Caljouw MAA.Effect of ultraviolet light on mood, depressive disorders and well-being.Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2018;34(5):288-297. doi:10.1111/phpp.12396

van der Rhee HJ, de Vries E, Coebergh JW.Regular sun exposure benefits health.Med Hypotheses. 2016;97:34-37. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.011

Cui Y, Gong Q, Huang C, et al.The relationship between sunlight exposure duration and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study on elderly Chinese women.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254856. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254856

Strasser B, Gostner JM, Fuchs D.Mood, food, and cognition: role of tryptophan and serotonin.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016;19(1):55-61. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000237

Cowen PJ, Browning M.What has serotonin to do with depression?World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):158-160. doi:10.1002/wps.20229

Mahar I, Bambico FR, Mechawar N, Nobrega JN.Stress, serotonin, and hippocampal neurogenesis in relation to depression and antidepressant effects.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014;38:173-192. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.11.009

Melancon MO, Lorrain D, Dionne IJ.Exercise and sleep in aging: emphasis on serotonin.Pathol Biol (Paris). 2014;62(5):276-283. doi:10.1016/j.patbio.2014.07.004

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adult activity: An overview.

Zhao X, Ozols AB, Meyers KT, et al.Acute sleep deprivation upregulates serotonin 2A receptors in the frontal cortex of mice via the immediate early gene Egr3.Mol Psychiatry.2022 Mar;27(3):1599-1610. doi:10.1038/s41380-021-01390-w

Matsunaga M, Ishii K, Ohtsubo Y, Noguchi Y, Ochi M, Yamasue H.Association between salivary serotonin and the social sharing of happiness.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0180391. Published 2017 Jul 6. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180391

Baek JY, Lee E, Gil B, Jung HW, Jang IY.Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Complement Ther Med. 2022;66:102825. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102825

Park BJ, Shin CS, Shin WS, et al.Effects of forest therapy on health promotion among middle-aged women: Focusing on physiological indicators.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(12):4348. doi:10.3390/ijerph17124348

Peselow E, Pi S, Lopez E, Besada A, Ishak WW.The impact of spirituality before and after treatment of major depressive disorder.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):17-23.

Diniz G, Korkes L, Tristão LS, Pelegrini R, Bellodi PL, Bernardo WM.The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2023;21:eRW0371. doi:10.31744/einstein_journal/2023RW0371

Yim J.Therapeutic benefits of laughter in mental health: A theoretical review.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2016;239(3):243-249. doi:10.1620/tjem.239.243

Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical Aromatherapy.Nurs Clin North Am. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015

Kaviani M, Nikooyeh B, Zand H, Yaghmaei P, Neyestani TR.Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some involved neurotransmitters.J Affect Disord. 2020;269:28-35. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.029

Maffei ME. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP):Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. Published 2020 Dec 26. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181

Gibson EL.Tryptophan supplementation and serotonin function: genetic variations in behavioural effects.Proc Nutr Soc. 2018;77(2):174-188. doi:10.1017/S0029665117004451

Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CY.Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:211-221. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048

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