They say that laughter is the best medicine, but apparently getting too happy isn't good for you either.
IN A world where happiness is increasingly hard to come by, we all look forward to little boosts of serotonin – spending time with loved ones, cooing over the latest cute animals on social media (Moo Deng, anyone?), making it to payday, et cetera.
Serotonin, also known as the 'happiness hormone', is a natural mood booster responsible for feelings of euphoria. In other words, when you feel on top of the world, you have this hormone to thank. On the contrary, low serotonin has been linked to clinical depression.
However, the saying "too much of a good thing" applies to everything in life.
Is it true that too much happiness, or in this case, serotonin can be deadly?
Verdict:
TRUE
Medical research indicates that excess serotonin results not in joy and laughter, but a potential visit to the emergency room.
This uncommon medical condition is known as serotonin syndrome and occurs when unusually high levels of the hormone accumulate in the body. Its symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
Mild symptoms may include shivering, diarrhoea, headache, agitation, and an elevated heart rate, whereas seizures, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), organ failure, and death have been observed in more severe cases.
Fortunately, serotonin syndrome is almost always associated with an overdose of serotonin-specific drugs. That means you cannot literally die of happiness from cute cat videos.
However, experts are still uncertain of the exact list of drugs that can cause serotonin syndrome. The most obvious and common culprits are antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which specifically manipulate serotonin levels in the brain.
That being said, such medications are not the only causes of serotonin syndrome. Pharmacologists are still discovering new combinations of drugs that can spontaneously result in serotonin syndrome. Even herbal medicines such as ginseng have been observed to cause serotonin syndrome in certain individuals.
The matter is further complicated by the fact that the condition is relatively rare. Such drug reactions are not always picked up in controlled trials, and when serotonin syndrome occurs in real life, it is often misdiagnosed as another condition.
Misdiagnosis increases the risk of death, as the most effective way to manage serotonin syndrome involves the immediate cessation of the problematic medications. In severe cases, doctors may provide supportive care, including sedation, muscle relaxants, intravenous fluids, and medications to block further serotonin production.
Let this be another lesson on the perils of excess.
References:
1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/serotonin-the-natural-mood-booster
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377/
