Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT, is a neuromodulator widely recognized for its role in various psychoactive drugs. These drugs can exhibit antidepressant, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, empathogenic, or psychedelic effects, depending on their specific interactions with the serotonin system as well as other neuromodulators such as noradrenaline, dopamine, and oxytocin. This has led to a widespread belief that the neurochemical processes taking place deep inside our brains affect our subjective experiences and mental health. However, a scientific understanding of how neuromodulators' functions relate to drug effects remains elusive.
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