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Clinical effects

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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The effects of serotonin can be divided up according to target tissues:

  • blood vessels:
    • the overall effect is dependent on vessel size, distribution of receptors, and modulation of noradrenergic output
    • conductance vessels tend to constrict
    • transfer vessels: arterioles dilate, venules constrict and capillaries become more permeable; this favours the formation of oedema in the inflammatory response
  • central nervous system:
    • involved in sleep induction
    • involved in vascular tone: underpin agonists use in cluster headache and migraine
    • involved in mood: the basis of using selective serotonin uptake inhibitors
    • facilitates firing of motorneurons
    • involved in ability to differentiate sensory phenomena; reduction of its effect e.g. with the antagonist LSD, contributes to hallucinogenesis
    • involved in temperature regulation in the hypothalamus
  • gastrointestinal tract:
    • contraction due to direct stimulation of smooth muscle and indirect inhibition of noradrenergic input
    • stimulus for release includes vagus nerve and physical displacement of chromaffin cells
  • free nerve endings: pain, possible role in acute inflammation

Drugs which influence the serotonergic system include methysergide, sumatriptan, ketanserin, odansetron and the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors.


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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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