Have you ever heard of something called the 'happy hormone'? Sometimes you just feel happy and excited, right? The one that is most closely associated with those feelings is called Dopamine. It contributes to many important functions in our body. So, today, let's learn more about Dopamine.
What exactly is dopamine?
Simply put, dopamine is a naturally occurring chemical produced in our brain. It belongs to a class of neurotransmitters called ``Monoamine neurotransmitters.'' It is a ``Neurotransmitter'', meaning a neurotransmitter . Imagine, the nerve cells in our brain send messages to each other. Dopamine is a 'chemical messenger' that helps to exchange those messages. It helps to carry these messages from the brain to the rest of our body.
Also, dopamine is a hormone . Dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are the main catecholamines. These hormones are produced by the adrenal glands, which are located above our kidneys. In addition, the hypothalamus in our brain also releases dopamine, a neurohormone.
What does dopamine do to our bodies?
Dopamine is a chemical involved in many important processes in our body. Let's take a look at what it is.
Dopamine as a neurotransmitter
As a neurotransmitter, dopamine contributes to the following:
- Movement: Helps control our body movements.
- Memory: This is essential for remembering things.
- Pleasurable reward and motivation: When we experience pleasure from something, we feel like doing it again, and that's because of dopamine.
- Behavior and cognition: It also affects our behavior patterns and our ability to understand something.
- Attention: Helps you stay focused on something.
- Sleep and arousal: It also helps regulate our sleep and wakefulness patterns.
- Mood: This also affects the state of our mind, whether we are happy or sad.
- Learning: Dopamine is also important when learning new things.
- Lactation: Also related to the process of producing milk for breastfeeding mothers.
Dopamine as a Hormone
Dopamine is a hormone that is released into our blood. It also plays a small role in the body's "fight-or-flight" response when we are faced with a threat, such as a danger. That is, if you suddenly see something scary, it affects how your body reacts to it.
In addition, dopamine, as a hormone, also does the following:
- It helps to dilate (in low doses - `(Vasodilator)`) or constrict (in higher doses - `(Vasoconstrictor)`) blood vessels.
- Increases the excretion of sodium (salt) and urine from the body.
- It reduces the amount of insulin produced by our pancreas.
- It slows down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal (GI) system and protects the lining of that system.
- It reduces the activity of lymphocytes, cells in the immune system.
How does dopamine make us happy?
Dopamine is also called the "feel-good hormone" because it makes us feel happy and satisfied. Also, when we enjoy something, it is this dopamine that motivates us to do it again.
Think of it this way: Dopamine is part of our "reward system." This system is designed to give us a reward, a feeling of pleasure, when we do things that we need to survive (like eating, drinking, competing, and procreating). So, as humans, our brains are wired to seek out behaviors that release dopamine from this reward system. When you do something pleasurable, your brain releases a large amount of dopamine. Then you feel good, and you keep seeking that feeling.
This is why we are so addicted to certain foods, especially junk food and sugar. When we eat them, our brain releases a lot of dopamine. Then we feel happy, like we are on top of the world, and we want that experience again.
How does it feel to have the right dopamine levels?
If your dopamine levels are balanced, you will experience feelings like these:
- It seems like you are happy.
- It seems like you are interested and motivated.
- It's like being on alert, in a good mood.
- It seems like you can work with good concentration.
What happens if dopamine levels decrease?
If dopamine levels decrease, you may experience things like:
- You look very tired.
- It seems like there is no interest in anything.
- It seems like there is no happiness.
In addition, the following symptoms may occur:
- Memory loss.
- Sudden changes in mood (mood swings).
- Sleep problems.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Decreased sexual desire.
What if dopamine levels increase?
If dopamine levels get too high, you may experience feelings like:
- Extreme happiness, excitement (Euphoric).
- Feeling great energy.
- Excessive sexual desire.
However, there are also disadvantages to increasing dopamine levels. These are:
- Difficulty falling asleep.
- Making rash, impulsive decisions (Poor impulse control).
- Becoming more aggressive.
What diseases are associated with low/high dopamine levels?
There are many diseases that are associated with low or high levels of dopamine. But there is still a lot to be discovered about this. For example, does a disease develop due to low/high levels of dopamine, or does a disease change dopamine levels? Maybe it is both. Another thing is that the action of one neurotransmitter like dopamine cannot be seen in isolation. Because, many other neurotransmitters, hormones, and chemicals in our brain and body work in conjunction with each other. So this is a bit complicated.
However, there are several diseases associated with changes in dopamine levels.
Diseases associated with dopamine deficiency:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): People with this condition have been found to have low dopamine levels.
- Parkinson's disease: This is caused by the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine.
- Restless legs syndrome: A condition characterized by discomfort in the legs and an urge to move them.
Diseases associated with increased dopamine:
- Mania: A mental state of excessive excitement and activity.
- Obesity: Some studies have shown a link between dopamine and obesity.
- Addiction: Dopamine plays a major role in addiction to things like drugs and gambling.
Diseases associated with both low and high levels of dopamine:
- Schizophrenia : This is a complex mental illness. Some symptoms (such as hallucinations, delusions) may be caused by an increase in dopamine in some parts of the brain. Other symptoms (such as apathy) may be caused by a decrease in dopamine in other parts of the brain.
What are the medications related to dopamine?
There are various medications that can control dopamine levels or act like dopamine. Let's take a look at them.
What are Dopamine Agonists?
Dopamine agonists are a type of medication that works in the same way as natural dopamine. They bind to dopamine receptors in the brain and stimulate them. Just as nerve cells respond to natural dopamine.
These medications are used to treat Parkinson's disease, depression, restless legs syndrome, ADHD, low sex drive, and hyperprolactinemia (an increase in the hormone that produces milk).
Some examples:
- For Parkinson's disease: `(Pramipexole (Mirapex®))`, `(Ropinirole (Requip®))`, `(Rotigotine (Neupro®))`, `(Apomorphine HCl (KYNMOBI®))`.
- For depression: `(Pramipexole (Mirapex®))`.
- For those with low sexual desire: `(Pramipexole (Mirapex®))`.
- For hyperprolactinemia: `(Bromocriptine (Parlodel®))`, `(Cabergoline (Dostinex®))`.
What are Dopamine Antagonists?
Dopamine antagonists are a type of medication that binds to dopamine receptors in the brain and blocks them. That is, they stop dopamine from reaching the next nerve cell. Many antipsychotic drugs used to treat mental illness fall into this category.
These are used to treat schizophrenia , bipolar disorder, and nausea and vomiting.
Examples:
- For schizoaffective disorder: `(Aripiprazole (Abilify®))`, `(Risperidone (Risperdal®))`, `(Ziprasidone (Geodon®))`.
- For bipolar disorder: `(Risperidone)`, `(Olanzapine (Zyprexa®))`, `(Ziprasidone)`.
- For nausea and vomiting: `(Metoclopramide (Reglan®))`, `(Droperidol (Inapsine®))`.
What are Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors?
Dopamine reuptake inhibitors are a type of medication that prevents the nerve cells that released dopamine from reabsorbing it. This leaves more dopamine in the brain, which can be used by more nerve cells.
This medication helps with depression, narcolepsy (excessive sleepiness), and addictions like smoking and overeating.
Examples:
- For depression: `(Bupropion (Wellbutrin®))`.
- For narcolepsy: `(Modafinil (Provigil))`.
- For cocaine addiction: `(Bupropion)`, `(Nomifensine)`, `(Benztropine (Cogentin))`, `(Mazindol)`.
- To stop smoking: `(Bupropion)`.
What is Levodopa?
Levodopa is the main medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. The movement disorders in Parkinson's patients are caused by a lack of dopamine. To deliver Levodopa directly to the brain (rather than to other parts of the body), it is given in combination with a medicine called Carbidopa. Once in the brain, Levodopa is converted into dopamine.
What is the role of dopamine in drug addiction?
When we use recreational drugs, they interfere with the way nerve cells in our brain send and receive messages. Drugs like marijuana and heroin act like natural neurotransmitters. Drugs like amphetamines and cocaine cause a large amount of natural neurotransmitters (like dopamine) to be released at once, or they stop being reabsorbed.
These drugs overstimulate the "reward center" of our brain. When we continue to use drugs for a long time, a part of the brain becomes desensitized, and we no longer feel as good as we would from anything else except the drug. Also, to get the same pleasure, we need to take more and more of the drug. At the same time, another part of the brain becomes more sensitive to the discomfort (such as anxiety and restlessness) that occurs when the effects of the drug wear off. Then we are tempted to use the drug again to get rid of that discomfort. So, addiction is a vicious cycle that develops through various mechanisms.
Scientists now think that dopamine's role is not just to directly cause euphoria, but rather to remember pleasurable experiences and reinforce them for repeat use. So, when dopamine suddenly spikes due to drugs, it teaches the brain to remember the experience. Your brain associates your drug use with all your habits and all the other cues that go with it. This is why you can go back to a place where you used drugs, even long after you stopped using them, and still feel like you need the drug again.
How to increase dopamine levels naturally?
You can try things that can help increase dopamine levels naturally. However, more research is needed on the effects of food and drink on neurotransmitters like dopamine.
- Eat a diet rich in magnesium and tyrosine. These are the building blocks for dopamine production. Tyrosine is an amino acid. It is absorbed by the body and travels to the brain, where it is converted into dopamine. Foods that are said to increase dopamine include: chicken, almonds, apples, avocados, bananas, beets, chocolate (especially dark chocolate), green vegetables, green tea, lima beans, oatmeal, oranges, macadamia nuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, turmeric, watermelon, and wheat bran.
- Engage in activities that make you feel happy and relaxed. This is also thought to increase dopamine levels. Examples include: exercising, meditating, doing yoga, getting a massage, playing with a pet, walking in nature, or reading a book.
Finally, the most important thing (Take-Home Message)
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone. It plays a role in many important functions in our bodies, especially movement, memory, pleasure, and motivation. Low or high levels of dopamine have been linked to several mental health problems and neurological diseases.
Dopamine is a very complex thing. There is still a lot of research being done on how it relates to health conditions and how it interacts with other neurotransmitters, hormones, and chemicals.
If you think you have symptoms of low or high dopamine levels, be sure to see your doctor. He or she can assess your symptoms, run the necessary tests, and help you develop a proper treatment plan if you have an underlying condition. Remember, don't self-medicate, especially with something as complex as this.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is dopamine the chemical that gives us a 'craving/kick' to do something?
That's right! Dopamine is the 'Reward & Motivation Neurotransmitter'. The feeling of wanting to eat a piece of cake when you see it, the joy of getting a like on Facebook, the excitement of receiving a gift are all because dopamine is produced in the brain. This is the main motor that makes us want to live!
💬 Is it because of dopamine that people become addicted to their phones and drugs?
Yes! When you take drugs, play games on your phone, or watch the wrong videos, the body releases about 200% of its normal dopamine (Dopamine rush). The brain becomes incredibly greedy for that immense pleasure and becomes 'addicted'. Then the brain cannot get that pleasure from normal things (sitting with family) and becomes completely addicted.
💬 What happens to a patient with this dopamine deficiency?
Just as schizophrenia develops when dopamine levels increase, a separate disease develops when dopamine levels decrease. When dopamine cells in the brain that control movement are destroyed and reduced, the patient suffers from a dangerous neurological disease called Parkinson's Disease, which causes tremors in the limbs, inability to walk, and stiffness in the body.
` Dopamine, neurotransmitter, hormones, brain, mental health, Parkinson's disease, addiction
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