Serotonin and it's derivatives has been largely misrepresented as the "feel good" drug when in reality it has been known for years it is a mediator of stress which decreases metabolism. Supplementing with these have been known to cause serious problems. Instead, increasing efficient metabolism of sugar lowers many health risks associated with chronic adaptation to our stress hormones.
"In Parkinsons disease, the benefits seen from increasing the concentration of dopamine could result from dopamines antagonism to serotonin; anti-serotonin drugs can alleviate the symptoms, and 5-hydroxytryptophan can worsen the symptoms (Chase, et al., 1976)." Ray Peat, PHD
"Serotonin and its derivative, melatonin, are both involved in the biology of torpor and hibernation. Serotonin inhibits mitochondrial respiration. Excitoxic death of nerve cells involves both the limitation of energy production, and increased cellular activation. Serotonin has both of these actions." Ray Peat, PHD
"Serotonin activates glycolysis, forming lactic acid. Excess lactic acid tends to decrease efficient energy production by interfering with mitochondrial respiration.
Heart failure, hypertension, muscle hyperalgesia (Babenko, et al., 2000), some panic reactions, and other maladaptive biological events associated with problems of energy metabolism, are promoted by excessive serotonin." RP