Young woman laying in bed puts her hands over her face in frustration because she cannot sleep

Sleep is an undeniably critical component of human existence. It allows your brain and body to recuperate from the stress and anxiety of everyday life. Because of how crucial sleep is, sleeping problems could result in dire health complications.

As it turns out, the quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity of your sleep. Sleep interruptions fragment your sleep cycle, which can prevent you from reaching the restful part of the cycle. Poor sleep quality results in daytime drowsiness, chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, headaches, mood issues, and even depression. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you're probably already familiar with some of these symptoms.

Sleep apnea occurs when your tongue and soft palate relax and collapse against the back of your throat, obstructing breathing for 10 seconds or more. Consequently, the carbon dioxide levels in your body rise, and oxygen levels take a hit which alerts your sleeping brain to the problem—kicking your reflexes back into action to re-establish breathing. These sleep interruptions can happen up to 30 times a night, and you might not even be aware you have this pervasive problem.

Serotonin’s Role in Sleep

When it comes to depression, stress, and anxiety, the word serotonin gets thrown around a lot. Serotonin has long been glorified in scientific literature for its role in emotional stability earning it the moniker "the happiness hormone." It's generally accepted that serotonin plays a critical regulatory role in the sleep-wake cycle. High levels of the chemical are associated with wakefulness and being alert, and serotonin deficiency results in sleepiness.

Serotonin, like every other neurotransmitter, is a multipurpose molecule used to communicate in the brain. When released, it triggers a pathway in the brain that leads to the regulation of circadian rhythms and acts as a natural mood stabilizer. If blocked or when there's a depletion in serotonin levels, there's likely to be a disruption in the circadian rhythm resulting in sleep disorders.

Recent research finds that serotonin shortens periods of apnea. To breathe correctly at night, the nerves that control breathing require the right amount of serotonin to work efficiently. When serotonin levels are too low, these nerves don’t function as they should. As a result, the upper airway muscles relax a bit too much and pinch off the airways during sleep. Low serotonin sleep could result in long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health complications.

Overcoming Serotonin Deficiencies

Hope exists for those who are suffering; deficiencies in serotonin are treatable. It's advisable to always consult your primary physician about any sleeping or mood issues to determine the best course of treatment. Since serotonin and sleep are intrinsically linked, you can improve your sleep apnea by increasing your serotonin levels through medication and natural remedies.

Many physicians will prescribe you an antidepressant-like a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). However, this treatment is typically administered when low serotonin levels present with depression. Sleep apnea on its own may not always warrant this medication. SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, thereby leaving more of the chemical active.

According to a paper published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, you can increase serotonin levels without drugs by:

  • Exposure to sunshine and light therapy
  • Lifestyle remedies such as losing weight, regular exercise, and quitting smoking
  • A healthy diet consisting of eggs, cheese, nuts, tofu, salmon, turkey, and pineapple
  • Regular meditation promotes a positive outlook on life which boosts serotonin levels

It's important to note that serotonin supplements and treatments might not be the end-all-be-all to sleep apnea issues. Here are some of the ways you can manage sleep apnea and other sleep disorders:

  • The CPAP, or “continuous positive airway pressure” device that keeps airways open while sleeping
  • Dental appliances, including mouth guards or splints, which keep the jaw in the forward position while also ensuring the airways remain open
  • Alternative breathing devices
  • Surgery when the strategies mentioned above fail to work.

Sleep apnea leads to psychological tumult in your waking hours and impacts your long-term physical health. While not every case of sleep apnea or depression results from an imbalance in serotonin, odds are low serotonin is the reason you can't seem to get a good night's sleep.

For more information on the link between sleep apnea and serotonin and to learn more about sleep apnea treatment plans, contact Kanehl Dental today.