Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What function is serotonin primarily associated with?

1. Controlling body temperature

2. Affecting hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood

3. Enhancing muscle growth

4. Regulating blood pressure

The correct answer is: Affecting hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood

Serotonin is primarily associated with affecting hunger, sleep, arousal, and mood, making this the correct choice. This neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in various aspects of well-being and mental health. It helps regulate mood and emotional states, influencing conditions like depression and anxiety. Additionally, serotonin is involved in controlling appetite and the sleep-wake cycle, significantly impacting how individuals feel and function daily. The other functions listed are not primarily linked to serotonin. For instance, while body temperature regulation is essential for overall homeostasis, it is primarily managed by the hypothalamus and other mechanisms rather than serotonin itself. Enhancing muscle growth is more closely associated with hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone. Regulating blood pressure involves multiple systems and hormones, including the renin-angiotensin system and various vasodilators and vasoconstrictors, but not directly through the action of serotonin. Thus, option B accurately captures the primary roles of serotonin, emphasizing its influence on essential aspects of human behavior and physiology.