So then, do seratonin levels raise due to a situation or is it a random/biological thing only? I, as well, left home very early due to abuse. I have recently been involved in a light bdsm relationship and found that the power exchange, without the fear of having to 'protect' myself from abusive behaviour allowed me to accept my submissive tendancies whereas before I was constantly fighting to prove to myself that I was completely independent and needed nobody. I liked and felt comforted by the power exchange when it was presented to me in a non-threatening manner. I felt at peace. I am still trying to understand it as I spent so many years protecting myself. Did that in fact, raise my seratonin levels?