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Depression or cancer: the choice between serotonin or melatonin?
1Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. apanzer@medic.up.ac.za
Stress causes disturbances of monoamine functioning and may result in a serotonin deficiency which is manifested, as depression. In some humans, stress does not, however, cause depression. It is hypothesized that in these individuals, melatonin, which is normally a product of serotonin, may be converted back to its precursor and thus replenish serotonin stores. These people are thus not depressed and are characterized by their pleasant, unassertive nature. Their lowered melatonin levels may, however, signal an increased risk for cancer. It is therefore postulated that unresolved stress results in either depression (with low serotonin) or cancer (as a result of decreased melatonin), depending on individual personality traits and biochemistry.
Stress causes disturbances of monoamine functioning and may result in a serotonin deficiency which is manifested, as depression. In some humans, stress does not, however, cause depression. It is hypothesized that in these individuals, melatonin, which is normally a product of serotonin, may be converted back to its precursor and thus replenish serotonin stores. These people are thus not depressed and are characterized by their pleasant, unassertive nature. Their lowered melatonin levels may, however, signal an increased risk for cancer. It is therefore postulated that unresolved stress results in either depression (with low serotonin) or cancer (as a result of decreased melatonin), depending on individual personality traits and biochemistry.